Page 65 of The Last Kind of Kiss
“I’d like to adopt him,” I tell Janice, crouching down so I can get a good view of my second best friend, and that semipermanentwound on my heart is cauterized the moment Alfie opens his eyes and looks at me.
After a series of never-ending,impromptu photoshoots with us and the adoptable dogs, Kitty’s Catwalk leaves Fur-Ever Friend Rescue with one last hoorah destined to flood the internet with heart-tugging articles by midnight. It was amazing to catch up with Lila’s mother, but it was also amazing to finally see this campaign through to the end. And our jobs were only almost compromised one time! I say that’s a win.
Alfie’s going to stay at the shelter until I can get the house ready for him, buy all the necessary dog accoutrements, and debrief the guys on our new furry roommate.
Ester, with her pointed heels and disdain for anything that lives and breathes, turns toward me and Lila with a surprising expression of approval. “Ms. Perkins, you and Mr. Brenner have done an incredible job promoting this campaign. We’ve had more traffic than ever in the history of Kitty’s Catwalk. Menoulé’s completely sold out of their fragrance, and this whole fake dating ploy seems to have been the determinant in driving sales.”
Wow. I never thought I’d hear praise from Ester. And to be honest, I didn’t really think we did that good of a job, but I guess we were convincing enough.
“I’ve gotten calls from all sorts of sports companies and designer brands dying to work with the two of you. Mr. Brenner, you’re no stranger to the limelight, but Ms. Perkins, you may have just secured a long-term career for yourself in the modeling industry.”
Lila buzzes with excitement. “Thank you, Ester. For all your patience and forgiveness and understanding.”
Ester flaps her hand indifferently, her eyes shaded by tinted sunglasses despite the cloudy forecast. “I’m used to working with my fair share of divas. Finding real talent is rare. And even though we did encounter some speed bumps, you truly have a gift, Ms. Perkins. A gift that many will try and rob you of. Don’t let that happen.”
“I won’t,” Lila says.
I stupidly think I’m in the clear when Ester looks in my direction, regarding me with…disgust? Strangely disguised admiration? “And Mr. Brenner, might I suggest a secondary job as a fashion model. You’re a hot commodity. It would be a shame to see all that hard work wasted on a silly little sport like ice hockey.”
“Um, thank you?”
After The Kitty Mobile—as I’ve named it—takes off and disappears around the mountain bend, Lila and I slowly trudge to the car exhaustedly. The press must’ve fled the scene early on, which thankfully will make pulling out of here a lot easier. I’m too drained to deal with them today. The only thing on my mind right now is getting Lila home and spilling my feelings for her. Is that a bit sabotage-y? Kind of, but I can’t wait another second to tell her how I truly feel. I can’t spend another second not being herrealboyfriend.
And hell, maybe she’ll decline me in the end. Who knows! I don’t! But I’m cool. Yep. That’s totally fine. Cool as a cucumber. Cooler than cool. Ice cool, baby.
Lila yawns and stretches her arms. “It was great catching up with my mom, but I forgot how much that lady can talk.”
“Do you get to see your mom often?” I ask.
“I try to, but since my career started taking off, finding time when both of our schedules are free is nearly impossible.”
“Well, I’m glad I came along. Otherwise I would’ve missedthe story about you wetting your pants in the middle of your play.”
She shoves me in the arm playfully, a fresh batch of pink tickling her cheeks. “It wasn’t my fault the teacher wouldn’t let us use the bathroom before the performance!”
I haven’t turned the engine on yet…I don’t want to. I turn to face her fully, losing myself in the infinite, star-flecked universe in her eyes, and I watch as she leans her head back to laugh. I memorize the way her eyes shut and her nose wrinkles in unadulterated bliss. And oh…thatsound. That heavenly sound. That peace-bringing sound that could probably stop wars.
When she realizes I’ve been staring at her like a creep, she arches an eyebrow. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m just…I’m just staring at you.”
“I know. It’s weird.”
“It’s not weird. It’s…I’m admiring your beauty.”
Lila clucks her tongue. “O-kay, weirdo. Get a good look at my ‘beauty.’ This is the last time you’ll ever see me looking like I’ve splashed my face with sewer water.”
I hope it’s not the last time.
“Psh, you don’t look like that. And even if you did, you’d still be drop-dead gorgeous.”
“Mm-hm.”
Undercaffeinated and overanxious, I do everything in my power to lengthen our time together, even if that means getting into the nitty-gritty Lila will have mythroatfor. But I don’t care anymore. It’s worth the risk.
“Your mom told me that you started modeling as a teenager to help her with the bills. Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
She prickles, as if she didn’t expect her mother to “betray” her—or for me to pick open the lock protecting her heart. “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to keep that part of me in the past. It’s not really a time I like looking back on.”
