Aubrey was still not sure how exactly she had been talked into looking after Chloe and Beca's dog whilst they went on their honeymoon, especially because their beagle Asterix was quite literally the devil incarnate; hell bent on chewing everything in Aubrey's house and Aubrey herself. It wasn't like Beca or Chloe were particularly helpful about the problem either, apparently Asterix was a perfect angel for them.
"So she takes after Beca then?" Aubrey grumbled as she tried to pry Asterix off her shoe, "Sweet and kind for you, but a pain in my ass?!"
There was an indignant "Hey!" from Beca in the background as Chloe giggled.
"She's probably just acting out because it's a new environment. She was like this for the first few weeks after we brought her home too, Beca has a pair of boots that will never be the same. Just go and get her some new chew toys, she really is like Beca you just have to find her something new and shiny and she forgets all about what she was trying to do to wind you up."
There was a louder "HEYYY!" from Beca as Aubrey rolled her eyes, smiling softly, "Yeah I'll try that, thanks Chloe. I'm assuming there'll be a pet shop I can take her into because there is no way that I'm leaving her here unattended."
"Oh yeah, there's loads! In fact there's one that's just a few blocks from you I think. We've never been in but it's got good reviews!"
"Excellent. I'm going right now." Aubrey had managed to get Asterix off her shoe but that had just turned the beagle's attentions to one of her throw pillows instead. This had to stop.
Aubrey walked into the pet shop with Asterix on a short leash to try and make sure she didn't wreak havoc in the pet shop the same way that she had her home. Her sunglasses pushed her hair out of her face as she led Asterix through the aisles until she found a whole shelf dedicated to chew toys. She looked at them thoughtfully, picking a few of them up, jumping a little when giving one an experimental squeeze caused it to squeak.
"Why not ask her which one she'd like?"
Aubrey jumped out of her skin as a soft voice interrupted her train of thought, throwing the chew toy that had been in her hand over her shoulder much to both the woman and Asterix's amusement (the latter of whom went to chase after it but Aubrey had enough presence of mind to keep a tight grip on her leash).
"Sorry!" The woman grinned, giggling a little at Aubrey, "I didn't mean to make you jump!"
Aubrey looked the young woman up and down, a soft smile forming on her lips, "It's okay. I didn't realise there was anyone else in here that's all."
"Well it is a little quiet on a Wednesday morning." The woman beamed, "I'm Emily, it's my shop. You looked like you might need some help… is she your first dog? What's her name?"
"Asterix. She's not mine." Aubrey looked down at Asterix with a raised eyebrow, "I'm just dog sitting for my friends whilst they're on their honeymoon."
"I see." Emily was still grinning as she bent down to pet Asterix, "So is it a treat or are you trying to find something for her to chew that isn't you or the furniture?"
"The latter." Aubrey chuckled slightly as Emily fussed over Asterix, "She's a little demon."
"Look at that face though!" Emily cooed as she cupped Asterix's face in her hands, "She's a cute little demon!"
"That's the only reason she gets away with it." Aubrey shook her head a little, distracted from the demon at her feet by the beautiful woman playing with her. She caught herself as she realised she was staring, a blush spreading across her cheeks, "So you said to ask her? She's a dog…"
"Dogs are really smart!" Emily protested a little, looking up at Aubrey, "She'll have a preference. Watch."
Emily carefully picked Asterix up and held her in front of the shelf. Aubrey frowned in amusement watching as Emily moved Asterix along the shelf so she could sniff the toys one by one.
"Okay Asterix, which one do you want?" Emily scratched behind Asterix's ear as she beamed at her. Aubrey felt her heart flutter a little. This woman was adorable.
Asterix turned her head and barked twice at a hotdog shaped squeak toy, Emily kissing her head as she set her down and retrieved the squeak toy Asterix had chosen. Aubrey shook her head a little as she grinned.
"Maybe it's me that she doesn't like…" Aubrey mused as she watched the way Asterix sat happily by Emily's feet and didn't try to bite her even a little.
"I highly doubt that." Emily frowned a little but still wore a big grin, "She's just testing boundaries with you, she sees you as the alpha and she's seeing how far she can push you."
"That- that actually makes a lot of sense." Aubrey laughed lightly, "Way more than you know…"
"How about I ring this up for you? I'll throw in a couple of tug ropes for you as well, on me. Try and save your throw pillows." Emily picked up the items and headed for the counter, Aubrey and Asterix following her.
"You don't have to do that." Aubrey frowned a little but gave Emily a grateful smile, "Really, I'll pay for the tug ropes too."
"Don't be silly!" Emily beamed, "I want to, think of it as a thank you for bringing Asterix in to hang out for a few minutes!"
Aubrey grinned affectionately and held her hands up, "Alright fair enough. She is kinda cute I suppose."
"Yes, yes she is." Emily's eyes glittered as they met Aubrey's and she couldn't help but wonder if Emily was still talking about Asterix, "Here you go! I put your receipt in the bag. And if you need anything else whilst you're dog sitting then you know where I am."
"I do. Thanks Emily." Aubrey smiled warmly as she took the bag from her, "C'mon terror, let's get you back home and chewing on your hotdog."
Emily waved them goodbye as Asterix trotted happily over Aubrey. What a cute pair they made.
The hotdog had worked, Asterix hadn't chewed anything else since she'd gotten back to Aubrey's which had meant that Aubrey could relax for a bit and actually get some work done. She was tidying things away as she pulled the receipt from the bag, balking at what she found there:
'In case you want some company that isn't furry ;) Emily x'
Under it was Emily's phone number, Aubrey scoffing slightly in disbelief as she picked up her cellphone and keyed in the number. She bit her lip a little as she paused, hesitating for the briefest moment before pushing past it and sending a text.
AUBREY: So you're not furry huh?
EMILY: I really hope this is the cute girl from the pet shop, otherwise I'm really creeped out…
AUBREY: It is, don't worry 😂 I'm Aubrey by the way
EMILY: Ahhh even your name is adorable!
AUBREY: 😳 you're far too kind… and very cute yourself I've been alone with this little devil for nearly a week now… she seems to like you, do you want to come over for dinner?
EMILY: I'd love that! I close up at five, I could come over after?
AUBREY: That's perfect. I'll see you then! 😊
Aubrey was beaming as she set her phone down, leaning down to scratch between Asterix's ears as Asterix's attention remained on her new chew toy.
"Alright horror. Seems like agreeing to take care of you wasn't a terrible idea after all."