Unfolding myself from the chair while Rachel pulled the pizza from the fridge, I moved to grab the plates. Clay laid down where he sat and set his massive head on his paws. I could see his eyes move to follow my progress.
Rachel chatted about our neighbors and the university while we warmed the pizza in the microwave. “What kind of movies do you like?” she asked changing topics abruptly once both plates held steaming pizza.
I had to think about it for a moment. “Action-comedy I guess. I don’t watch movies often.”
She handed me a plate piled with pizza. “Let’s eat this in the living room and watch a movie,” she suggested.
Clay stood and walked toward the living room before either of us moved. When he passed through the arch, he only had two inches of clearance on each side. I wondered if his fur made up his bulk, not that it mattered. Our tiny house didn’t suit a dog his size.
Rachel laughed, “I think he’s going to just fit right in.”
She had no idea how much he didn’t fit in. I turned off the light in the kitchen and followed them into the living room carrying my pizza and glass of water. Clay settled on the floor stretching out in front of the couch, forcing us to step over him. Rachel sat on one side and I comfortably took the other.
The movie Rachel selected not only held my interest, but it seemed to hold Clay’s as well. I ate two of the three pieces of pizza Rachel put on my plate and set the remaining piece aside. During a quiet moment, Clay stood to stretch and turned to study my pizza, which Rachel noticed.
“Just one bite?” Rachel begged.
I wasn’t about to make living with us easy for him. “If he’s never eaten it before, he might throw up. Are you willing to clean it up? I’m not,” I challenged her with an arched brow.
She pouted prettily, not really upset. Her easygoing personality allowed me to speak without too much censor. A few minutes later, I caught her breaking off small pieces and setting them on the edge of her plate. Clay turned around innocently and snatched the pieces.
“Fine,” I said when the movie ended, “Give him the steak.”
Rachel cheered and hopped off the couch, calling to Clay as she went to the kitchen. He looked at me dolefully and followed her.
“Your choice, bud. Not mine,” I whispered knowing he’d hear me over Rachel’s puttering as she heated the steak for him.
I grabbed my plate and cup, making my way to the kitchen to quickly wash and dry them. “Thanks for the shopping and movie Rachel. And the leftovers,” I added. “You’ve made this feel like home in less than a day.” I quirked a half-smile at her, “but I’m beat and going to bed. See you in the morning.”
Before leaving the kitchen, I looked back to make sure Clay didn’t follow. He sat near Rachel watching me leave. Quickly looking away, I escaped to my room. The last thing I needed was for him to think that backward glance had been an invitation to join me.
Odd as it sounded, having Clay in the house made it easier for me to fall asleep. Although still a stranger to me, I knew his world and his rules. He’d keep me safe. Regardless of Sam’s assurance that I needn’t worry about him, he remained a concern.
The next morning I woke feeling great. Sleeping on a full-size bed definitely beat sleeping on a twin. I didn’t think I would ever be able to go back. The new comforter had done a better job keeping in the heat than my old one. My feet felt nice and toasty.
I stretched my legs from their curled position and hit something warm and solid through the covers. No… he wouldn’t. Sitting up, I glared at Clay who stretched out contentedly at the end of my bed already awake and watching me.
“No,” I whispered. “No dogs allowed on my bed.” He snorted out a sigh and laid his head down closing his eyes. “Seriously, Clay. Don’t you think this is just a little inappropriate?”
He didn’t move.
“Fine.” I used my feet to try to push him off the bed, but he didn’t budge. Leaning back, I braced my hands on the wall and pushed harder, straining to move his stubborn irritating fur from my new comforter.
He still didn’t move, but did open one eye to look at me.
I gave up and glared back. “If you shed all over my comforter, I’m locking my door at night.” I tossed back the covers and got out of bed. “With an eyehook,” I added for good measure.
He wisely didn’t follow me as I made my way to the bathroom. Rachel already moved around in the kitchen making coffee. “Are you a coffee drinker?” she called to me.
With a mouthful of toothpaste, I had to spit before calling back, “No. More of a milk or orange juice person.” I finished up in the bathroom and joined her in the kitchen, noticing her scrubs. “Going to work?” I asked sitting on a kitchen chair and pulling my feet up from the cool floor.