Leo winced as he stooped to retrieve his notebook and the dog poked him a little more thoroughly. "I - er - think I'll be on my way," he said to the dog's owner. "A pleasure to meet you." He gave her a warm smile, holding no grudges. Dogs did what dogs did and middle-aged lawyers could always go somewhere else.
"Oh Mr Abrams is scary," Amarie said. "But I bet he'd like you sweetie, oh, I bet he would."