As we approach, I hear Sebastian talking to a man about dog food brands he recommends. “What do you think about Advance Nutrition’s diet dog food?” the man asks, his hand resting on the giant head of a small bear masquerading as a wrinkly-faced gray mastiff-looking thing. “My Princess is on it.”

“That’s a dog?” Zoey asks, and Sebastian looks over at her interruption, grinning instantly when he sees her. He even does a quick head to toe scan before he dips his chin at me in that ‘no offense, dude’ way. I lift my brow an increment before slowly returning the chin dip.

“Oh, this is just a big, sweet baby . . . with really big poops,” he says to Zoey before answering the dog owner’s question. “AN’s pretty good, actually, but there’s a dog version of the 30-day Whole Foods routine . . . if you really want to lean her out.”

Honestly, all I see is the friendly dude from his social media. Not a poisoning murder suspect.

“Hmm, my boy’s on AN too, but I haven’t heard of that 30-day thing,” I comment, joining the conversation just like I do when I’m making a life insurance cold intro. Find something in common and just join in, fostering the connection. “Would that be okay for my other dog?” Zoey looks at me, well aware I only have Chunky, but what I also now have is a plan. “I’ve got an Irish Setter-Golden Retriever girl at home. She’s not overweight like the Chunkster here, but I can’t imagine making two dog dinners, you know? I’m not a short-order cook.”

I’m playing it cool, trying to get him to talk, especially by dropping the exact designer-mix breed dog Yvette has while asking for advice.

Sebastian chuckles nonchalantly. “Yeah, man, I hear that. But the 30-day is good for all dogs. I’ve got a client, also an Irish Retriever, that’s so sweet, but he’s willful as hell.”

“Another Irish Retriever?” I ask, mock surprised. The mastiff owner quickly thanks Sebastian and leaves, pretending to lead his dog when I’m pretty sure that monster could be hooked to the front of his truck and pull them both home. But I’m focused on Sebastian. “Those are pretty rare. Mine’s a shedder, the Retriever side, I guess.”

Sebastian agrees, “Yeah, they tend to create a small hair storm. With Rusty, we have to vacuum after him almost every day.”

“Oh, don’t I know it!” I exclaim. Looking at Zoey, who’s catching on, I grin. “How long ago did you make me buy that new robot vacuum, honey?”

“Last month. It was that online sale,” Zoey fake-reminds me, joining in. “No way was I using that big vacuum any longer.” She bends her elbows, not flexing her toned arms so it seems like she’s a weakling.