Page 144 of Buy Back My Love

“It’s a girl,” Van said.

That made me scream again.

Mama came closer, shaking her head. “Lord, Lee.”

“Look at her!”

“I see her.”

The puppy started licking my chin, and I laughed while pulling her closer against me.

“Hey, baby. Oh my God, you so little.”

Van leaned against the wall watching us with this satisfied little look on his face.

“She’s a Maltipoo.”

I looked over at him. “A what?”

“Maltese and poodle mix. She shouldn’t get too big.”

Then I remembered standing in his house telling him exactly what kind of dog I wanted.

“You remembered?”

His eyebrows lifted. “You told me you wanted something small and fluffy.”

I looked back down at the puppy. She had already settled against my chest like she had known me longer than thirty seconds.

“Van…”

“What?”

“I love her.”

“I figured you would.”

I pressed my face into her fur. “You are so cute. Yes, you are.”

Mama folded her arms, and I already knew reality was about to come busting through my little moment before she even opened her mouth.

“Now what you gon’ do with a dog knowing good and well you finna have a baby in a few months?”

I looked up. “Mama, please let me enjoy this for five minutes before you start reminding me about real life.”

“I’m just asking.”

“You always just asking.”

Van laughed under his breath.

I pointed at him. “And you don’t laugh.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

The puppy started chewing on the edge of my sweater, and I gently pulled it away from her mouth. “Girl, stop.”