Page 20 of You and Me, For Real
“Yeah. There is.” I type out the instructions. He responds, saying he’s done it. “Okay, he’s in the living room.”
Ashton stands on her tiptoes, trying to peer at my phone.
I resist the instinct to slide the phone across, allowing her to read it, in hopes she comes closer.
Three dots appear. “He’s saying something. Hang on.” The dots disappear. Then reappear, followed by,She’s going outside.
“He says she’s going outside!”
“That’s great.” She comes around the counter and stands next to me, waiting for the next text, as invested as I am.
She presses closer, her lilac scent tickling my nose. I resist leaning into it. “She’s pottying! She’s going right now!”
Ashton laughs.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to shout that in your ear.”
She turns to me, her face aglow, and darn it all if it isn’t the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time. Like pure sunshine. I resist the urge to give her a celebratory hug.
Instead, I say, “You’re a genius. You really are The Furry Godmother.”
She blushes and moves back to the other side of the counter. “So my blog says.” She shifts some papers around on the desk. “About that. I don’t usually tell people my name. That was sort of a slip-up on my part.” She looks up at me quickly and then away again. “I’d like to keep the blog anonymous. I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from telling anyone else.”
I’m more curious than ever as to why she’d keep her talents such a secret. It’s a strange request, but if there’s anyone who understands the value of having a personal life, it’s me.
“Sure. No problem. I did tell Luke, but he won’t say anything to anyone. I’ll talk to him about it.”
She nods and bites her lower lip.
I set my phone down. “About the proposition I mentioned…”
Small lines form between her brows. “Yes?”
Is there a sound of hope in her tone?
“I would like to hire you to train Roxy. Well, and me.”
She huffs a laugh. “Train you…and Roxy?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why what? Don’t most people get some kind of training for their dog?”
“Some. Not all. But I mean, why me?”
“Why not you? You clearly have the knowledge and the talent. I’ve read your blog. Your articles are fantastic. You’re smart, and passionate, and you’ve already met Roxy. Sounds like the perfect match to me.”
Her eyes widen, but her focus isn’t on me. It’s on something over my shoulder. I shoot a glance behind me. A red Mercedes pulls into the parking lot next to my Audi.
“How—”
I face her, my back to the incoming customer. “Well, I figured we’d set up a schedule. Meet somewhere? Set up a payment plan? That kind of thing?”
“No. No. No!”
“Really?” While I wasn’t sure she’d accept my request, I didn’t expect her to turn me down so quickly. I’m surprised by the hurt that punches my gut.
