The Dog Who Knew Everything

Maya's summer job at Pet & Health Plus wasn't exactly the cool retail gig she'd pictured. The store smelled like multivitamins and wet dog, and her crush—Jake from junior year—had walked in exactly twice. Both times, she'd been measuring fish oil for a pug named Sir Barksalot.

"Hey, Maya," Jake said, strolling in on a Tuesday. "Your shift?"

"Yup," she managed, while behind the counter, Barnaby—her emotional support dog on loan from her mom—whined. The cable knit sweater she'd thrifted to look effortless now felt suffocating. Why did she always freeze around him? It was like her brain's wifi cut out.

"My dog needs... something," Jake said. "For running. He's super hyper."

"Oh! We have these calming vitamins," Maya said, grabbing a bottle. "They work like magic. My dog takes them and—"

"You have a dog?" Jake's face lit up. "Can I see him?"

Barnaby chose that moment to poke his head over the counter, tongue lolling. Jake laughed—not mean laughter, but genuine, crinkly-eyed laughter.

"That's the BEST dog," Jake said. "What's his name?"

"Barnaby. He's... kind of a mess."

"Messy dogs are the best ones," Jake said, and suddenly Maya's vitals were everywhere. Her heart was running a marathon, her face was hot, and for the first time all summer, the cable knit sweater felt just right.

"Want to see him do tricks?" Maya heard herself say. And as Barnaby spun in clumsy circles for the treat Jake offered, Maya realized something: being herself—with all her awkward, dog-filled, vitamin-selling glory—was exactly what Jake had been looking for all along.

"So," Jake said, scratching Barnaby's ears. "Since we're both here every Tuesday... maybe I could bring MY dog next time?"

Maya smiled. "Only if he's as cool as Barnaby."

Jake grinned. "Challenge accepted."