Page 19 of You and Me, For Real
I lunge forward to catch up with her. “No. That’s partially why I’m early.”
“Because you’re excited to adopt her today?”
That’shalfthe reason I said I had a proposition for her in my email. “That’s partially why.” I stop next to her, her floral scent filling my nostrils.
She glances over at me. I’m smiling wide. Her lips slowly tilt upward. And this small victory feels massive. I internally fist-pump.
“Great. I’m happy to hear that.” She unlocks the door, holds it open for me, and slips inside. She flips on several light switches along the wall. “Just give me a few minutes to get the paperwork together.” She puts her keys and purse on the counter before turning to rifle through some paperwork in a file sorter on the desk behind the counter.
I approach the counter and set down her coffee, studying her while she’s occupied. The morning light illuminates her blonde hair, framing her soft, friendly chestnut eyes. I note a small dusting of light freckles across her nose and cheeks, making her appear younger. And suddenly I’m curious about how old she is. She can’t be too far from my own twenty-eight years.
I rest my forearms on the counter, unsure how to ask my question for fear of judgment. “The thing is, I’m having a hard time with Roxy and could use your help.”
She straightens and turns her full attention to me. The sun shines brightly onto the white Formica flooring, reflecting light into her eyes and making their hue look more like honey.
“Roxy?”
I clear my throat. “Yeah, uh, I named her Roxy. Seems fitting. She’s a tough girl. I think she’s earned the name.”
This time, her lips widen enough to reveal a brilliant smile. And suddenly, I know just how to get this woman to open up to me. Her love of animals.
“That’s a great name,” she says.
“I thought so, too.” I smile and stare, struck by just how pretty this girl is. And betting she has no idea.
“You said you’re having a hard time?” She leans closer, her hip pressing into the desk. Her forehead wrinkles so similarly to Roxy’s. It’s endearing.
“Yeah, we’re, uh, sort of having a hard time getting her to come out from under the bed.”
Her eyes soften and her head tilts. “Oh no. Did you try to persuade her with treats?”
“We tried just about everything. Treats, food, water, toys. Nothing seems to work.”
She bites her lower lip and looks toward the front door. “Did you leave the room at all last night?”
“No, I didn’t want her to feel abandoned. Luke—my cousin, the driver you, er, um, met yesterday?—”
“The one that almost hit me?” She arches an eyebrow.
“Yes. That’d be the one. One of us was in the room the whole time.”
She nods. “Do you have an outdoor exit to the room she’s in?”
“Yeah. She’s in my master bedroom. There’re some sliding doors to my back patio.”
“Okay, try opening those doors and leaving the room. Sometimes, animals that have been chained or trapped for long periods just want to have freedom. She’s bound to go outside. I’m sure she desperately needs to use the restroom by now.”
“It’s one of the reasons I rushed over here.” I pull my phone from my back pocket. “I’m going to shoot Luke a text and tell him to open the patio door.”
She slides a clipboard with paperwork onto the counter. “You’ll fill out those three pages. Ignore the bottom portion on the third. I’ll take care of that part.”
“Sure.” I send the text and grab the clipboard and pen she laid out. “Are you always the first to get here in the mornings?”
She shrugs. “I like to get here early. Everyone else should trickle in over the next fifteen minutes or so.”
I pause filling out the paperwork and glance at my phone. “He says he opened the door.”
“Great. Tell him to go into another room of the house. Maybe the living room? Is there a window where he can view the backyard?”
