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“So are you really thinking about dating?”
    â€œThinking about it.” Mom laughed. “Then I start to get nervous. It’s been twenty years since I dated your dad. I’m not even sure if I know how to do it anymore.”
    â€œIt’s probably like riding a bike, Mrs. J,” Jeremy said as he came back in.
    Mom smiled at him. “Probably. Guess I just need to take the plunge.”
    I tried to imagine my mom dating, having a guy in her life. So much would change and yet I didn’t want her to be alone or lonely, either.
    After dinner, Jeremy and I took Bogart for a walk along the running trail that snaked through my neighborhood. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Bogart so happy as he scouted out the terrain. His limp was less pronounced. Maybe all he needed was to feel loved again. He had to be missing his original owner. I knew what it was to miss someone.
    â€œI can’t believe my mom is thinking about dating.”
    â€œIt’s been five years,” Jeremy said.
    I scowled, and he immediately looked contrite. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m sure you’re more aware of how much time has passed than I am.”
    My father had been involved in a freak car accident, driving beneath an overpass that was being repaired when it suddenly buckled—
    I shook off the unsettling thoughts. I hated thinking about the randomness of it.
    â€œI wish you’d known him,” I said.
    â€œMe too.”
    â€œHe would have approved of us adopting Bogart. And your idea to put a big red bow on him was brilliant. How could my mom reject him after that? It softened her up.”
    â€œI think Bogart did that all on his own. I guess tonight you just want to hang around with him.”
    Looking over at Jeremy, I took his hand. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œSeems wrong to abandon him after just breaking him out of the joint.”
    I laughed. “The shelter isn’t exactly prison.”
    He slipped his arm around me, guided me off the path into a little clearing edged by trees. “I like it when you laugh. You look so sad at the shelter.”
    â€œI just wish I could rescue them all.”
    â€œI know. You have such a big heart. It’s one of the things I love about you.”
    He lowered his lips to mine. One of the things I loved about Jeremy was his kiss. He always took his time and tasted of peppermint. I knew he carried a little stash in his pocket. He wanted to be ready for a kiss anytime, anywhere. So considerate, so—
    â€œGet a room already,” a deep voice bellowed.
    Guiltily, we jumped apart. Avery and Fletcher were standing there, both of them grinning like lunatics as Fargo wriggled on the ground between them. I glared at Fletcher. “Not funny.”
    â€œI thought it was hilarious,” Fletcher said. “It was like you thought you were doing something wrong.”
    â€œMaybe that’s because you sounded like the PDA police.”
    â€œHe’s just practicing his baritone,” Avery said, “for when he does become a cop.”
    â€œWe didn’t appreciate the interruption,” Jeremy said.
    Fletcher shrugged, not looking at all sorry.
    I felt a tug on the leash. Bogart was inspecting Fargo’s butt, Fargo was inspecting his. “Where’s your brother?” I asked.
    â€œHe’s not quite big enough for walking a dog,” Avery said. “His chore is to feed him.”
    â€œWhich was hilarious, since no one explained what that involved,” Fletcher said. “He fed him from his plate at the table.”
    I smiled. I could see that, Tyler slipping the dog some food. I had a feeling there was going to be a lot of spoiling going on.
    â€œSo, did you just bring Bogart home for the night?” Avery asked.
    â€œNo, we”—I pointed between Jeremy and myself—“adopted him.”
    â€œLucky dog,” Avery said. “Glad we didn’t take