Vienna

chapter three

Tying my hair back, I got ready for another shift at the animal rescue. Volunteering here and being around all these dogs has really helped my anxiety.

Except, of course, for Cookie.

Cookie may sound innocent enough, but don't let the name fool you. He is absolutely the craziest little chihuahua I have ever encountered. He barks at every little noise and of course when he starts barking, so do the other dogs.

He's like a fucking choir leader.

I can't wait for the day someone adopts him. 

I greeted Melissa, the owner, on my way to the back to fill up the dogs' food bowls.

As a volunteer I mostly change their food and water bowls, take them on walks, and help prospective owners find the dog for them.

I've fallen in love with basically every dog here and it's sad to see one of them leave, but I'm always grateful they're getting a better home.

Today was a slow day, so I didn't have to deal with any prospective owners. I've mostly just walked and played with them.

Since it's such a slow day, I decided I would ask Melissa if she let me leave a bit early so I could nap before the football game.

On my way to ask her, all my fantasies of taking a long nap in my warm bed were crushed with the sound of the bell that rings when the front door opens.

Please be a delivery man, please be a delivery man.

"Hi, I'm thinking about adopting a dog and was wondering if I could go meet some of them?" A deep voice said from the waiting room.

My heart felt like it was ripped out of my body, broken in half, and stepped on. Bye bye nap.

The woman at the front desk called for me as I rounded the corner to the waiting room. I saw the back of a tall, young-looking man with dark hair. And a nice butt.

"Just this way, sir." I smiled and waited for him to turn and follow me.

When he did, my smile fell and my eyes narrowed.

"Oh you! Isn't it a safety hazard to let klutzes work with animals?" Nathan said with that same conceited tone in his voice.

"Isn't it a safety hazard to be that conceited?" I retorted.

"I'm not conceited, I'm confident. As I should be though, I mean have you looked at me?" he smirked.

I snorted and rolled my eyes, "Why are you even adopting a dog, aren't your parents fed up with the one they already have?"

I saw the lady at the front desk give me a weird look and I winced, knowing she probably thought I'm just being rude to a potential costumer.

Nathan let out a laugh. "The only time I act like a dog is in the sheets. If you're asking what I'm like in bed, I'm sure I could show you," he whispered suggestively.

I crinkled my nose and gave him a simple "Ew." before I turned around and took him to the dogs.

"Why are you even here?" I asked him.

"Like I said, I want a dog," he simply responded.

I rolled my eyes. "That poor dog," I said.

Just to spite him, I purposefully took him to Cookie first.

Ha, that'll show him.

I led Nathan inside Cookie's pen and closed my eyes to brace myself for the loud barking that was about to break out.

I waited a few seconds to open them just to see the dog peacefully wagging his tail while Nathan pet him.

What the fuck?

Cookie barks like crazy just when I walk by his pen, but not a peep when Nathan actually pets him?

I'm not sure if I'm jealous or relieved, but I do know that my plan definitely backfired.

"This one's a sweetheart. What's his name?" Nathan inquired.

I eyed him skeptically. "Cookie," I responded hesitantly.

Nathan laughed loudly at that. "Poor guy. That's not very manly, is it? I think I'll call you Duke," Cookie's tail wagged at that. "His new name is Duke," Nathan looked up at me.

"That's not really how it works but whatever floats your boat," I laughed.

I noticed Nathan's eyes widen a bit and he kept his glance on me a little longer than normal.

Oh god he probably noticed how gross I look, I've been playing with dogs for two hours I'm probably all sweaty and gross.

He cleared his throat and looked down at his phone. "As much as I would love to stay here with Duke, I have to be on time for my game." He looked back up at me, "You're going, right?"

"Does it matter?" I said blankly and led him out of Du- I mean Cookie's pen.

I passed Melissa's office on my way back to the waiting room. "Vienna, you can head out," she yelled at me from the doorway.

Thank god.

I turned back around to grab my stuff and noticed Nathan speed walking out of the building. I heard him sneeze just before he disappeared from earshot.

Great, if he's sick and just infected me I'm going to kill him. I hate being sick.

I grabbed my things and took my hair out of a ponytail as I walked outside.

It's times like these I wish I could drive so I didn't have to take an Uber or call my dad to get me.

As I was sending a text to my dad, a black car pulled up in front of me.

"Need a ride?" Nathan offered, sticking his head out the window.

He is definitely going to kidnap me. I narrow my eyes in suspicion. "Yeah...." I drew out in confusion.

"Well, I hope you find one!" He laughed maniacally and drove away.

Douchebag. Why did I even consider for one second that Nathan Cole could be anything but an asshole.

My phone chimed and I looked down at my phone to see a text from my dad.

Dad: Sorry sweetheart, I'm working late tonight.

I sigh and drop my shoulders in defeat. "Great," I said aloud and went to order an Uber.

After the longest and most uncomfortable car ride of my life, I finally made it home. My driver was a man named Pearl who sang German show tunes the whole ride home. He had a nice singing voice though.

I had one destination in mind as I trudged up the stairs to my bedroom. A shower and a long nap can cure whatever diseases Nathan gave me.

I took a quick shower and changed into sleep shorts and a random oversized sweatshirt. After plugging my phone in, I practically fell onto my queen bed and let myself fall into a warm, deep sleep.