Chapter 3
I sighed, feeling resigned.
If this kept up, the property management would show up at my door. I had to open it, whether I liked it or not.
But before I opened the door, I quickly asked in my mind, "Honey, does Emily know about the changes in Snowy lately? Does she realize something's off with that dog?"
My kid's voice answered right away.
"Yeah, Mom. Emily's been feeling weird about Snowy for a while now. He's gotten super possessive, keeps watching her like a hawk, and won't let any guy near her.
"That's why she doesn't dare bring him to her dates. She just wants to dump this whole mess on us," my baby said.
So that was the truth.
Emily wasn't naive. She was just plain mean.
Now I knew exactly how to handle Emily and her ex-boyfriend dog, Snowy.
With that, I strode over to the door and yanked it open.
Emily stood stiffly outside.
Snowy, the fluffy white Bichon Frise she was holding, was pacing anxiously around her, whining softly in his throat.
Her precious baby, whom she used to carry around everywhere, was now kept at arm's length with the leash pulled tight, about half a foot away.
And in those pure black eyes, there was no trace of gentleness, only a possessive, almost menacing glint.
Emily had known all along.
When Emily saw me, she paused for a moment, then her tone turned snarky.
She sneered, "Wow, Sarah, you really are home, huh?
"I thought something might've happened to you."
She gave me a once-over.
She said, "Guess pregnancy doesn't just mess with your appetite, your hearing's shot, too."
I wasn't about to waste my breath on her. My eyes went straight past Emily and landed on Snowy.
"If you want the dog inside, whatever," I said.
A smug grin curled on Emily's lips.
The next moment, I pulled out a brand-new dog muzzle from the shoe cabinet and dropped it right at her feet.
"Make him wear this," I said.
Emily's face darkened in a flash.
She said, "Sarah, what's your problem? Snowy's always been well-behaved. He's never bitten anyone."
I shot her a look.
I said, "Either put the muzzle on him and he can come in, or take him and get out of my doorway right now."
Seeing I gave her no room to argue, Emily glared at me, her chest heaving with frustration.
After a few seconds, she reluctantly bent down.
Snowy seemed to sense what was coming and struggled even more fiercely, letting out a low, threatening snarl.
Emily had to use all her strength to finally get the muzzle on him.
She slapped the leash into my hand. "He's yours. I'll grab him tomorrow night."
And with that, she turned to leave.
"Wait," I called out.
She turned back, clearly annoyed. "What now?"
I leaned against the doorframe and asked casually, "Where are you meeting for your date tomorrow?
"Don't pick some dump and end up shortchanging yourself."
When I brought up her date, Emily's vanity instantly kicked in.
Still, she glanced warily at Snowy, making sure he wasn't watching us.
Only then did she shoot me a contemptuous look.
"Of course not. He invited me to the new Skyline Café downtown. You know it?
"Their pour-over coffee goes for over 300 bucks a cup.
"You, just cooped up at home with your pregnancy, probably haven't even heard of it."
She said the Skyline Café. My smile grew even warmer, with a hint of envy.
"Wow, Emily, that's really something.
"Hope everything goes smoothly for you tomorrow.
"Maybe you'll finally find your perfect guy, and then you won't have to keep bothering us," I said.
Emily was totally eating up my praise, letting out a smug little snort before strutting off in her high heels, her heels clicking away as she left.
My smile faded instantly.
With a loud bang, I slammed the door shut.
Snowy, now muzzled, locked his venomous gaze on me, eyes full of spite.
With a blank face, I tied the other end of his leash to the leg of the heaviest solid wood table in the living room.
The leash was short. He could only move around that tiny spot right by the door.
Once everything was done, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
Just then, that childish voice echoed in my mind again.
"Mom, why did you let him in?
"He's going to get us killed.
"So what do we do now?" my baby asked.