Page 39 of The Incredible Ordinary

I laugh again.

I’m not sure. Feels like there should be, though.

Buddy—arrested twice for Grand Theft Sandwich.

I shake my head, my grin getting wider and wider.

Rex—booked for socknapping.

Spot—taken in for unlicensed gardening.

Duke—cuffed for breaking and entering (the trash can).

People should really know what they’re in for.

Why the inquiry about dogs?

I happen to have a kid who’s been begging me for a dog for years.

There’s a short pause while I watch the dots move on my phone screen.

It’s Theo’s birthday soon.

And you’re finally ready to take that big step in your relationship? Getting a dog together?

I get an incoming video call a second later. I’m smiling like a lunatic when I pick it up. Jordan looks at me with pursed lips.

“I honestly don’t know what it says about me that I’m putting way more thought into getting a dog than I ever did into having a kid,” he says.

“Mainly that you’ll be a responsible pet owner?”

He chuckles. “Crossing my fingers. Have you ever had a pet?”

“Sure. You haven’t?”

He shakes his head. “My mom was allergic.”

“Ah. Well, I had two dogs while I was growing up, and my mother adopted another one shortly after I moved out.”

“To replace you?” he asks with a grin.

“Hey! She swears the name was just a coincidence.”

Jordan laughs and wiggles, settling in better. I think he’s in his bed. Warmth creeps up my neck and into my cheeks like I’m fucking fourteen again and just the hint of a bare chest has the ability to make my skin feel electric.

“An expert,” Jordan says. “Help me, I beg of you.”

I laugh. “Consider me at your service.”

He nods. “Perfect. Mark dog shopping in your calendar.”

“When’s the birthday?” I ask.

“In November, so there’s a bit of time. I have this friend who has a friend who works at a shelter, and they just had a litter of puppies that should be ready for adoption around Theo’s birthday. I figured you could maybe come with me and make it seem like at least one of us knows what they’re talking about.”

“Puppies? You know, you don’t have to twist my arm so hard. I already said I’d do it.”

He laughs again, but that laugh turns into a yawn.