Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
The car pulls up, then Brady climbs out of the driver’s side.
Screw you, heart.
I hate that he’s putting it through acrobatics.
But it’s determined to remind me that I have a thing for my fake fiancé, and it’s devastating.
When he sees me, he waves and walks over.
“Hey, Lena.” He steals a kiss before he glances at Dr. Ezzie, whose hand is still being loved on by Queenie. “Who’s this?”
“Our latest crisis.” Dr. Ezzie scratches the old girl behind her ears, and Queenie groans happily, her tail smacking Dr. Ezzie’s legs. “Her owner died and nobody can take her, I’m afraid. So, we’re currently looking for another solution.”
“Oh shit. I hate to hear it.” Brady slides an arm around my waist as he thinks.
“We don’t want to send her to a shelter at her age,” I say.
“No way.” There’s a gruffness in his voice even as he holds out his hand for the curious Lab to sniff. Her bright brown eyes fix on him. “Damn, well, why don’t we take her? She can stay at my place.”
“What? With everything going on?” I probably shouldn’t be so stunned after he stepped up for Charlie, but I can’t help it.
Warmth spreads through my chest.
“She needs a good home, and I have the network to find her one. People will line up for days after I post about her a few times.” He gives me that cocky grin, and for once I don’t blame him.
Dr. Ezzie looks at me, her eyes dancing.
Right. This is obviously my decision. She’s letting me deal with the little things, a warm-up to the big, scary decisions involving the entire clinic once it’s mine.
Fair enough.
I mean, I insisted we couldn’t just pack her off to a shelter. I’m also the one who took the call from her owner’s relative.
The warmth in my chest strikes a fire as I watch Brady hoist her up on two legs, scratching the Lab’s neck until she’s in heaven. There’s a very good chance I’m going to be burned.
I’m not sure if I care.
“Okay,” I say softly. “If you’re serious—if you really mean it—you can take her today.”
“Awesome. Any paperwork to sign? And if she has any leftover bills, of course, I’m happy to cover them.”
Oh, of course.
It’s not fair that this man proves gentlemen aren’t extinct.
Dr. Ezzie leads him back through the kennels to the clinic building. I linger behind, bending down to bury my face in Queenie’s neck, just breathing soft doggy fur.
She makes a low, uncertain grumble.
“Watch out for him, girl. He’s too nice, and I don’t know what to do about it,” I whisper.
Queenie whines.
“I know, I know. It’s just a lot.” I lean back, running a hand all the way down her neck.
She watches me with those adorable whale eyes.
You think that’s a lot? I’ve got to find a whole new home.
“Yeah, you’re right. You’ve got it rougher than I do. But he’ll treat you like the Queenie you are, and so will your new parents, once we find them. I promise.” I can’t quite bite back the smile.
Queenie dances around in a circle as I work on packing up her stuff: one big grey bed, a few toys with teeth marks, and her bowls.
Nothing else.
No other pieces of her old life.
It’s depressing, even if I know she’s in good hands.
But we have to move forward.
I shake my head, pushing the dark thoughts away.
If there’s anyone in this city who can help her find a loving new family who accepts what she is, it’s him. Brady Pruitt, instant best friend to an aging, happy, slightly dopey black Lab with worn teeth, worse breath, and a heart that’s overflowing.
When he comes back from reception, swaggering in with his eyes glowing and his stubble neatly trimmed, I’m ready to roll.
“I’ll have Luis round up what she needs and drop it off at my place,” he says as I help her into the trunk of the SUV. Despite her age, she’s still got lift, jumping in easily.
“Luis on pet-run duty?” I tilt my head at him. “I think he’s right. You’re the worst boss.”
He snorts. “If you think the worst I’ve done is send my assistant out to get some dog food and treats, you’re deluded.”
“What if he’s busy?”
He makes a big show of checking his watch. “It’s barely three o’clock. Besides, he can pick it up on the way back to my condo.”
“What’s he doing now? Bringing your suits back from the dry cleaner?”
“Shopping to upgrade my studio. We’re always looking for new tech for better videos.” The corner of Brady’s mouth twitches. “I told him to bring back Indian food for dinner. I don’t like to use the apps when I can just tip my main man with his own meal.”
“And then you’ll lock him in the basement until you let him out for another day’s work, right? Or will he be taking Queenie outside too?”