“Don’t worry, I know,” I told them. “Being at the shelter with the dogs is the next best thing to having a pet. I promise I won’t bring any home.”

Maisie pouted. “Awwww, come on! I want a dog! Don’t they make medicine for allergies? I saw a commercial the other day, and this guy was playing with a puppy and he was sneezing, but then he took this pill and he was fine. And the puppy was jumping all over him and licking his face! It was sooooo cute!”

Mom sighed. “Maisie, we’ve talked about this. Dad’s allergies are more severe than that.”

I was in such a good mood, now that I didn’t feel torn between soccer and modeling, that it made me feel very generous with Maisie. “Maybe you can come with me and help out at the shelter too? That way you can get your puppy time in.”

“Yay!” Maisie cheered.

“Hey, maybe we could even take pictures of the dogs to give them really nice photos for their adoption website? I think I might have learned a thing or two on the photo shoots!” I said.

Mom beamed. “I think that’s a great idea, Devin.”

Just then, Dad’s phone pinged. He glanced at his screen. This dinner was becoming nothing but phones.

“It’s the office,” he said. “Just one sec.”

He scrolled through his screen. Then he looked at my mom. “Looks like they definitely want me in Connecticut for that sales presentation,” he said. “Should we tell her?”

“Tell me what?” Maisie and I both asked.

Dad looked at me. “Devin, I’ll be going to Connecticut for a few days for work. And those days happen to be at the same time as your friend Charlotte’s party. So if you don’t mind using some of your modeling money . . .”

I squealed. “You mean I can go?”

“Yes, you can go,” Mom said.

Maisie frowned and folded her arms across her chest. “It’s not fair! Devin gets to go on a plane and I don’t!”

“How about I give you my piece of pirate bread?” I offered.

“That’s a start,” Maisie said.

I held up my phone. “Mom, can I text Kara? Please?”

Mom nodded. “Fine. But then all phones away! I mean it!”

I quickly texted. Good news! I can go to Charlotte’s party!

Kara replied with a string of emojis.

I grinned—and then I realized I had one more text to send. I quickly sent it before Mom could object. This one went to Frida.

I’m a believer, I typed, and then I quickly stashed my phone away before the barrage of replies came from her. I’d tell her everything later.

The server came to our table.

“May I take your order?” she asked.