Page 70 of Mr. July

I knew her cell was out of range but couldn’t help sending her a few. My eyes fell to the calendar. Not mine but the boring vanilla one my last PA probably picked up at Staples. I never used to care for them. Now I find myself staring at the plain white boxes wishing for them to have their day and be done. The faster this week goes, the closer I’d get to date number five.

Twenty-Six

“I’m pathetic, aren’t I?” Princess cocked her head, looked down her feline nose at me as I changed her litter. She was new to the shelter. Young and knew she was beautiful with her snow-white fluffy fur and jade green eyes. Her owner paid thousands for her just to give her up after discovering she had a cat allergy. So, Princess got booted from her sprawling six-thousand square foot mansion on the beach to her 3x3 metal cage. “I miss him. Miss his kiss, his cocky grin—his fancy espresso machine.”

Sighing, I shut her crate. It had only been about a week, but it felt longer. After our series of dates in forty-eight hours we stalled out. First because Dr. Winnfield asked me to sail to the Bahamas for four days unexpectedly when she received grant money to tag sharks. Chase was ecstatic for me. Even a bit jealous after I assured him, I’d be safe. “Being a lawyer is boring as fuck,” he muttered as he kissed me goodbye. He had shown up at four in the morning with Daisy in tow just as we were about to leave the dock. He kissed me like there was no tomorrow, not caring the crew looked on. I had no cell service out at sea but spent every night thinking as soon as I got back, I was jumping July. But when we were three miles offshore and two bars showed up on my cell, I received his string of texts that work had called him back to the city.

I made the pic he sent me of him and Daisy in his office my screensaver. I was going to surprise him in the city, but now everything was on hold. Kell’s wedding was this weekend. I was a crappy maid of honor being wrapped up in tagging sharks while dreaming of Chase that I had almost forgotten. I ran to my cell as it started buzzing on top of Princess’s crate making her hiss.

“Babe?”

“Hey!”

“How was it?”

“Amazing! It was absolutely amazing. You’ll have to come next time.”

“I’d love that. I can’t wait to see you this weekend. I’m leaving Thursday after work and staying until September. I already told the partners I’d be working remotely from my shore house.”

“They let you do that?”

“There was little they could do. I threatened to walk.”

“What happened?”

“Don’t get upset…. I brought Daisy to work since she was getting separation anxiety at my condo. Diersky toed her in the ribs. She’s fine. He’s not. They fired him immediately. Well, after I broke his nose.”

“My poor baby. What kind of asshole hurts a sweet dog?”

“The kind who’s in jail for animal cruelty. The DA is an old friend of mine. Bunny was a star witness who saw the whole thing. Anyway. She’s good. Misses you too.”

“I won’t be here this weekend. It’s my pregnant girlfriend’s wedding. You know Kells?”

“Ah, the infamous Kells.”

“Go with me? It’s in Charlestown. Gran could watch Daisy...”

“Is that date number five? A wedding?”

I blushed. “It is.”

“I’ll be there, babe. Text me the info. I have a meeting in ten. I’ll call you tonight?”

After we disconnected my mind raced. I smelled like diesel fuel and chum. I needed help ASAP.

“Kells?”

“Ryan! Get down here! My tummy popped. I feel fat. My gown needs to be taken out and my boobs feel heavy. I’m horny all the time and never want to let my fiancé out of bed. I’m a mess.”

“I’m on my way, with an emergency of my own. I’m dating Mr. July—you know from the beach house calendar. And he is the owner I sued—who happens to be Gran’s boss.”

She didn’t miss a beat. “Well, that just dills my pickle. Did you sleep with him?”

“No, that’s happening on your wedding night.”

“I’m grinnin' like a possum eatin' a sweet tater.” She squealed. “But why the wait?”

“I was tagging sharks in the Bermuda Triangle for a week. My nails are down to nothing, my hair fried, my nose burned. I’m feeling insecure instead of sexy.”

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