If it weren’t already gettingte, Rachel would’ve wanted to start night “Don’t worry, I’ve got it all nned,” Tyler repliest.
Rachel nced at the time, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back ”
She still <b>had </b>to deal with Cecilia’s housing issue. If she didn’t handle it soon, it might be toote.
<b>“</b>okay. Don’t forget about tonight,”
His reminder made Rachel pause for a beat. She then nodded. “G”
Just as she turned to leave, her skitt suddenly felt like it snapped on something. Rachel looked down and sew Ray clinging to her <b>hem</b>. His teary eyes were staring up at her.
Seeing that look, Rachel couldn’t help but think of it as a fierce dog with a heart of gold. He looked tough, but he clearly had a gentle side.
The old saving about <b>how </b>pets reflected their owners <b>kind </b>of checked out.
She instinctively looked over at Tyler. “Can you make him let go ofine?”
Tyler casually nodded at Ray. “He’s the one not letting you go. Notine. Talk to him.”
Rachel’s lips twitched. “Can he even understand me?”
Tyler flipped open a magazine. “As long as you’re not speaking an liennguage, he probably can.”
Rachel bent forward <b>slightly </b>and reached toward Ray’s head to pat him, only to freeze at the sight of his sharp fangs and oversized tongue. She got nervous again.
In a polite <b>tone</b>, she tried negotiating.
“Can you let go of me, please?”
Ray wagged his tail twice but still didn’t release her skirt. Clearly, he had no <b>ns </b>to let her leave.
Rachel gave Tyler a puzzled look. “Why’s he so obsessed with me
Tyler rubbed his chin and thought for a second. “Maybe because he’s a boy?
Rachel blinked. “<b>That’s </b>actually a thing?
“Bay,e here!”
Tyler gave the floor a light stomp. “Ray,
Every time Rachel heard Ray’s name, it felt like Tyler was calling her. It sounded way too close to her name. Her <b>mom </b><b>used </b>to call her Ray all the time.
Ray immediately let go upon hearing Tyler’s voice and trotted over with a happy little whimper. He nuzzled <i>against </i>Tyler’s hand. Tyler gave its head a <b>good </b>rub. “Alright, she’ll be back tonight.”
Ray’s eyes lit up. He wagged his tail excitedly as he sat upright next to Tyler.
Tyler <b>nced </b>at Rachel and smirked “Looks like he’s in love with you
Rachel was momentarily speechless.
“I’m heading off, then,” she said.
Just as she reached the <b>door</b>, she paused. It was the first time a dog had shown her that much affection. She turned back and said to Ray, “I’ll bring you some treatster.”
Ray stuck his tongue out and wagged his tail even harder.
Rachel could tell he was happy.
She finally left Tyler’s apartment. She tried calling for a ride for a long time, but no cars were avable. She sent Cecilia a location<b>. </b>
(I might be a while. Head to this spot first and wait for me.1
[No rush. Take your time.]
Rachel stood <b>staring </b>at her phone screen. The app was still searching for a driver.
Tyler’s apartment really was far out. It was practically in the suburbs. On the bright side, it kept the reporters away.
There was no way she’d ask Tyler to give her a ride <b>again</b>.
Just <b>then</b><b>, </b>a white car rolled up beside her, and the window rolled down. Rachel finally saw who it was
“Yale<b>?</b>”
“Ms. Lloyd, what a coincidence. Are you heading back to the city?
Rachel nodded. “Yeah.”
Wait for two minutes. I just need to
d to deliver something to Mr. Hunt. Then I’ll be driving back too.”
Rachel lit up. “That’s perfect!”