The Night We Met
by Abby Jimenez
Contents
3: Chris
Overview
Chris and Larissa deepen their connection over shared book tastes, then rescue a neglected dog. Mike shows up late, prompting Chris to pressure him to pay for Larissa’s car repairs. After caring for the dog with Xavier’s help, Chris enforces boundaries with Larissa. Mike follows through, and he and Larissa become official.
Summary
Walking back to the hospital, Chris and Larissa banter about books and discover they both love the rare sci‑fi novel Cross Stitch. Their easy rapport grows, and Larissa realizes the hoodie she’s wearing is actually Chris’s, which he tells her to keep for now.
By the service entrance, they hear growling and find a filthy, friendly small dog scavenging. As they debate what to do, Mike arrives late, hugs Larissa, and offers a ride to the front. Larissa leaves the dog with Chris to check for a chip, thanking him for the day.
Feeling sidelined, Chris confronts Mike. As repayment for covering for him, Chris insists Mike pay to get Larissa’s car out of the shop, even telling Mike to pick up overtime with Tony. Chris warns he’ll tell Larissa the truth if Mike refuses, and Mike reluctantly agrees.
Chris takes the dog home, shaves and bathes him, and notes signs of neglect. At Xavier’s clinic, the dog is treated for worms and overgrown nails; there’s no chip. Xavier urges Chris to keep the dog given overwhelmed shelters and frames Chris as the dog’s only hope, stirring Chris’s grief over his mother.
Larissa texts to visit the dog and drop off the hoodie; Chris, mindful of boundaries since she’s seeing Mike, asks her to come with Mike next time. He later confirms Mike paid for the car, and within days Mike and Larissa make their relationship official.
Who Appears
- ChrisNarrator; bonds with Larissa over books, rescues and cares for a stray dog, pressures Mike to fix Larissa’s car, sets boundaries.
- LarissaConnects with Chris over a rare novel, helps find the stray dog, texts to visit, becomes officially with Mike.
- MikeArrives late, thanks Chris, is pressured to pay for Larissa’s car, agrees, and becomes official with Larissa.
- XavierVeterinarian friend; examines the dog, treats issues, urges Chris to keep it, subtly supports Chris’s grief.
- Stray dogNeglected small dog found by dumpsters; cleaned and treated; potential new companion for Chris.