Page 69 of Mr. July

“Your father fucked Ma. Busted up my parents’ marriage. I never forgot the guy’s name. Carmichael. Was blonde like you too.”

I grimaced so hard my teeth gnashed. “I had nothing to do with that or him. Take your beef elsewhere.”

He was still pissed and looking to fight but I left him behind, pretended to show Bunny the report in my hand and waited for him to leave before scooping up Daisy and bringing her into my office.

This day was fucked. Only thoughts of my golden girl kept me from going into a completely black mood. I missed her. But I would never stand in the way of her dreams or opportunities. Heck I wish I could be with her tagging sharks, living on a boat. Instead, I was stuck in a high rise going over legal papers. At least Daisy was with me. But I needed a permanent solution. I couldn’t leave her home alone and would get caught sneaking her into the office building eventually. I opened a web browser typing in ‘service dog.’ Ten minutes later I had a plan. I’d have to pull a few strings first. I scrolled through my phone until I found my old buddy Clark who just graduated from med school.

“Dr. Clark Greene’s office.”

“I need the doc stat.”

“You’ll need an appointment.”

“Tell him his old frat brother Chase is having an emergency darlin.”

“Chase?”

“How’s it going Clark?”

“What’s your emergency?”

“I’m having anxiety attacks. My job is stressful as shit. I need a therapy dog.”

“Get the fuck outta here. I’m busy ass wipe.”

“Fine. I rescued a Corgi who is having separation anxiety. Can you blame her? You know how the ladies get attached. I brought her to work with me, but I’ll get busted sooner or later. I need a script saying I need a therapy dog so I can bring her.”

He cursed. “I could lose my license for this.”

“We can do a telehealth appointment. Besides, you owe me for covering for you sophomore year.”

He swore again. Thirty minutes later I had a telehealth link and thirty minutes after that a legit script. Clark owed me big time. He got drunk, streaked the quad and had broken into Professor Attwater’s office, snapping pics of the final exam. I kept my mouth shut, was his alibi and here we were years later with me calling in my mark.

I pressed the button on my phone connecting me with Bunny.

“Yes?”

“Bun. I need you to order Daisy a yellow ‘service dog’ vest—maybe a tag for her collar.”

“That’s illegal.”

“I just emailed you the script from my doctor. I’m stressed. Have anxiety. He ordered me a service dog.”

“I don’t even want to know how you pulled that one off.”

“When I go after something, I tend to get my way.”

“My mama used to say, ‘if you can’t hunt with the big dogs stay under the porch’.”

“Wise woman. Order next day delivery. I don’t care what it costs.” The dog pulled on my damn heart strings. She was curled up on my feet, finally sound asleep under my desk. Poor thing tuckered herself out with the nervous breakdown she had earlier. With Daisy curled up on my feet, I read through three different agreements. Drafted new ones. Kicked the shit out of my emails. “Maybe there is something to this therapy dog thing after all.”

“Working late tonight?”

“You know it.” I grinned at Piers one of the partners at my door. Truthfully, I was waiting for everyone to leave for the day before sneaking Daisy out.

I picked up Daisy cuddled her to my chest, snapping a selfie. Then I sent it to Ryan.

Me:My new PA. JK Daisy has been a big help at work. Miss you babe.

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