Page 22 of Lead Me A Stray

Easing my phone from my pocket, I snap a picture of Arrow and send it to my siblings’ group chat.

PIPER: I think I want to keep him

LEVI: Can you do that?

DALLAS: Pretty sure she’s the boss so…

AINSLEY: Would he stay at the shelter with you?

PIPER: I think so—it’ll take some training but I can do it, right?

AINSLEY: Dean approves

PIPER: Why is he home? Shouldn’t he be in school?

AINSLEY: He’s sick. I’m working remotely and praying that Felix doesn’t get sick too. I don’t have the time saved up yet.

DALLAS: I told you I’d come back out and help.

AINSLEY: And I told you I can handle it

DALLAS: You’re so stubborn

AINSLEY: Are you talking to me or the man in the mirror?

PIPER: Since we’re all in a good mood I slept with Mack

DALLAS: WHAT?!

AINSLEY: Am I supposed to be surprised?

LEVI: (gif of a woman dabbing her eyes with a tissue)

LEVI: I’m so proud of you

DALLAS: Ainsley, I won’t be making it to Illinois because I have to go do damage control in Texas

PIPER: That’s completely uncalled for

DALLAS: You’re sleeping with your best friend’s brother who has a reputation for being a player

DALLAS: There’s no way this ends well

LEVI: Ignore him, Piper. I’ll make sure his bank flags any plane tickets as fraudulent

DALLAS: Fine, be a dick. I’m just trying to help

AINSLEY: So about this dog…

Woof.

13

MACK

“And then I talked to Layla about bein’ on-site for the adoption day. She does such amazing work and it’s incredible that she’s going to donate her time like that,” Piper says, referring to Layla’s offer to do pet portraits for the dogs adopted at the event.

“I think that’ll be a big hit with everyone.”