Page 26 of Lesbian CEO

I see a look of relief wash over her face.

“My dog just passed away last month,” she says. “I want one, but it still hurts.”

To my surprise, Toni stands, walks around the table, and hugs the sweaty jogger. “My uncle just passed away last month,” she tells her. “I’m really sorry for your loss. I know it still hurts.”

The jogger bursts into tears, and I stare, helpless to do a damn thing, as Toni just holds her for a few minutes. When she pulls away, the jogger shakes her head.

“I’m so sorry,” she says. “It’s just that nobody really understands. People always tell me he was just a dog, but he wasn’t just a damn dog. He was my best friend. He was everything to me.”

“You’re so right,” Toni nods. “He was your family.”

“He was.” The jogger wipes her eyes. “I’m Kayla, by the way.”

“I’m Toni. This is Jessica.” I finally stand and offer my hand, which Kayla shakes. “I know you’re not in a place to adopt a pet right now, but would you like to meet some of the animals we have on site today?”

Kayla nods, wiping her eyes.

“Please,” she says.

“Okay,” Toni smiles. She looks over at me. “Can you handle the table by yourself for a few minutes?”

“Happy to do so.”

Toni gently leads Kayla to a little pen where there are several dogs hanging out quietly. Toni explains that they didn’t bring puppies today because young animals always get adopted right away. Today’s event is all about those animals who have a harder time finding homes because they’re older.

I help a few other visitors get signed up for the shelter’s newsletter, and just when I think the day is starting to calm down, I spot a familiar face.

Kendall McCarter – my ex-girlfriend.

She struts toward me wearing booty shorts and a crop top. She looks great. Kendall always looks great. Unfortunately for her, good looks aren’t all that go into a relationship, and the two of us encountered multiple problems because she was more interested in hitting the gym and starving herself than she was in working on our relationship.

Besides all of that, I dated her for a few months after Toni and I split up. Kendall was my rebound. I’m not ashamed of dating her. She’s gorgeous and funny, but she’s also mean. That was the reason we broke up, in the end. Kendall doesn’t have a problem with being cruel.

And you don’t?

The thought is invasive and unwanted, and I try to shove it away. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered that Toni’s parents both died the night I was going to propose. By then, the two of us had already pushed each other away. If I’d known that she was going through something so terribly traumatic, I want to think I would have been there for her.

But what if that’s not true?

What if I wouldn’t have?

Toni has always been a kind, gentle person. She’s always been the kind of woman most people could only aspire to be.

Kendall McCarter, on the other hand, breeds meanness.

Maybe she’s the reason I’m so cruel now. No, it would be too easy to blame her.

“Kendall,” I say. “Long time, no see.”

“Fancy seeing you here.”

“Are you interested in signing up for the shelter newsletter? You’ll be the first to hear about adoptable pets.”

I sound like a robot, but I can’t help myself. I don’t want to sound normal right now. What I want is to pretend like everything is fine and that it’s not super weird hanging out with not one, but two of my ex-girlfriends today in the park.

Where are my shades when I need them?

“No, I’m not interested in that,” Kendall says. “What are you doing here?”

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