Read Online My Boyfriends' Dogs by Dandi Daley Mackall - Free Book Online Page A

my boyfriend. All the way to Larkfield we sang animal songs, resorting to “Old MacDonald” when we ran out of pop animal lyrics. By the time we pulled into the parking lot, it had already been the best date I’d ever had.
    At the entrance gate, I dug in my purse for my wallet.
    â€œMy treat,” Went said, putting his hand over mine.
    â€œI can pay for me,” I offered. “After all, I asked you to the zoo.”
    â€œI’d like to buy the tickets, Bailey.” He put his money on the ticket counter, then turned back to me. “Unless it’s a big feminist rights thing for you?”
    â€œThanks, Went. I’ll buy our snacks.”
    He laughed. “Deal. And man, did you get the short end of that stick.”
    Larkfield Zoo was tiny compared to the St. Louis zoo, where Mom used to take me. I hoped Went wouldn’t think it was boring. I headed for the water animals first. “They don’t have penguins. Can’t afford a cold house.”
    â€œPenguins are overrated,” Went said. “Give me a good, solid seal any day.”
    I couldn’t believe he’d said that. “Seals are my favorite!” We took off running, and when we reached the seal and otter area, we were both out of breath. The seals swam in a pool about twice the size of the school gym. “I named every seal in this place.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œWhen I was five.”
    Went laughed. “And these are the same seals?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œSo tell me their names.” He gripped the metal bar that kept people from sliding down the pit into the water.
    I pointed to the big seal sunning herself on a rock. “That one’s named Bailey.”
    Went raised his eyebrows at me. “Bailey? Interesting name for a seal. Where’d you get it?”
    I ignored him and pointed to two seals swimming side by side toward the zookeeper, who was dangling fish above the water. “Bailey and Bailey. They’re brother and sister.”
    â€œBoth named Bailey?”
    â€œI was five,” I reminded him.
    A seal lumbered out of the water and slid onto the sunning rock.
    â€œLet me guess,” Went said. “Bailey?”
    â€œYou guessed it! I had no idea you were so clever.”
    Went slipped his arm around my waist. We watched the seals together while the sun beat down on us, and scratchy music played from a speaker somewhere, and all the seal Baileys ate fish tossed to them by the zookeeper.
    When the seals were finished, Went glanced around. “Is there a water fountain around here? I’m thirsty.”
    â€œOoh. I don’t know. But there’s a shaved-ice stand right back there. I’ll run get us each one. Name your flavor, and guard the seals. I’ll be right back.”
    It took me a while to find the shaved-ice stand. It wasn’t where I’d remembered. I ordered two grapes and waited while the kid shaving the ice did his thing. The zoo wasn’t busy, which must have been this guy’s cue that he didn’t have to rush.
    When I got back to the seals, Went wasn’t there.
    I circled the seal pool and found him a few yards away at the otters. He was talking to a redhead I recognized from school. She’d graduated from Millet Central and was probably a senior at Tri-County, where I’d go next year. Tanya or Toni, something like that. She was holding the hand of a little girl who looked like a miniature of herself.
    I plastered on a smile and strolled up to them. “Here’s your ice, Went.”
    He took it from me. “Thanks, Bailey. This looks great.” He sipped at the grape juice melting in the paper cone. “You and Tahlia know each other, right? This is her little sister, Amy, who loves otters.”
    I nodded at Tahlia, then focused on the little sister. “Hi, Amy. So you’re a big otter fan?”
    â€œI like penguins better,” she said.
    â€œWrong zoo for you, huh?” I