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him when you asked us to.”
    â€œI think Kendall really wanted him,” Jeremy said, slipping his arm around my shoulders.
    I shrugged. “Sometimes you just connect with a dog.” I’d connected with too many to count, but Bogart had needed me the most.
    Jeremy crouched and held his hand out to Fargo, whocame over and licked it. “Cute dog. When did you get him?”
    â€œToday,” Avery said. “Kendall talked us into taking him.”
    â€œI didn’t force you,” I pointed out. “You chose him.”
    â€œI think he chose us,” Avery said. “So far, though, he seems to be adjusting fine.”
    â€œHe’s a sissy dog,” Fletcher grumbled.
    Chuckling, Jeremy looked up. “What?”
    â€œHe’s small, prances around.”
    â€œThey’ve got a Rottweiler you could adopt,” Jeremy said.
    â€œNo more dogs,” Avery said. “One is enough.”
    Fletcher was living with her family for the summer. Another dog really wasn’t an option.
    â€œI like small dogs,” Jeremy said, and I was glad that he was unlike Fletcher in that regard and didn’t view any dogs as being sissies.
    â€œWe’re going out for ice cream after our walk,” Avery said. “Want to come with us?”
    â€œWe should probably stick close to home tonight,” I said. “So Bogart gets a sense of security.”
    Avery furrowed her brow. “We don’t have to stay with the dog all the time, do we?”
    â€œNo,” I reassured her. “You have other people at your house. My mom isn’t exactly a dog person. She’s fine with him, but she won’t love on him like I will.”
    â€œWho would?” she teased. “Okay, then we’ll see y’all later.”
    They walked away, and I took Jeremy’s hand. “Are you okay not going with them for ice cream?”
    â€œBogart comes first.”
    I hugged him tightly. “You’re the best.”
    Twilight had settled in while we were talking, so Jeremy and I headed back home. Besides, I didn’t think Bogart could do a long walk. I just wanted him to get out for a little exercise.
    â€œSo what about staying at the beach with Avery?” Jeremy asked.
    â€œWe should still be able to do that,” I told him. “Bogart and Mom will have adjusted to each other by then.”
    â€œI still can’t believe she didn’t get mad about you bringing him home.”
    â€œI think she secretly wanted a dog. It’s going to be lonely for her when I leave.”
    â€œMaybe she’ll have a boyfriend by then.”
    I crinkled my brow. I wasn’t ready for Mom to get a boyfriend. Dating was okay, but a boyfriend? I looked down at Bogart. Had she accepted him because there was something I was going to have to accept?
    I shuddered with the thought.

Chapter 6
    JEREMY
    When I got home, the house was dark and funeral quiet. I figured my parents were out at one of the many fund-raising functions they attended. I was proud of the fact that they were so involved in the community, but it also got a little lonely around here. If I weren’t leaving for a college in a few weeks, I would seriously consider getting a dog.
    I went into the kitchen, microwaved some popcorn, grabbed a bottle of lemon water, and headed into the den where the biggest TV known to man graced one wall. My dad always had to have the biggest, the best of everything. Sometimes they entertained, and he liked it when people gaped at everything we owned.
    Not that I was complaining. Because of his obsession, I had all the latest gadgets.
    I dropped onto the sofa, picked up the remote, andsearched through the on-demand possibilities until I found Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows . I liked the way steampunk had been incorporated into the movie franchise. Munching on popcorn, I started up the movie.
    I was about an hour into it when I heard voices from the front hall.
    â€œYou