Page 14 of Hate You Later
If only. Whoever he is, he is making the challenge fun. And he makes me laugh.
“So … um … Georgia … helllooo?” Kenna turns on her phone’s flashlight and aims it at my face to get my attention.
“So, the ‘enemies to lovers’ thing. Maybe there’s really something to it.” She stretches out her long limbs and draws herself back up in the chair. “It’s the old opposites attract. Like I’m so boring and so nice. Maybe that’s why I am so drawn to bad boys. And you’re a dog person, which is probably why you need to date someone with a cat. Maybe aPersiancat?”
“Oh sure.” I smile cheerfully, all the while shaking my head no.
“Can you imagine me dating a cat owner, considering how Cookie feels about cats?”
Kenna shrugs. “You never know. Has your buddy posted anything else interesting? I’ll let you see my Tinder inbox if you let me read your texts with Oliver.” She holds out her phone hopefully. “Pretty please?”
“No thanks. I’m not in the mood for dick pics.” I decline her generous offer. “And I told you, it’s nothing scandalous. Just stupid stuff.”
“Fine, but you have no idea what you are missing. One of the dicks has freckles in the shape of a penguin.” Kenna sighs disappointedly and pockets her phone. She stands and stretches. “I spoke with Mac this morning. Sounds like that stray is a peekapoo. The poor thing is insanely matted. Should be a huge transformation. Can I pick an outfit for him?”
“Of course!” I wave an arm at the pet clothing rack. “Have at it. Pick some small and medium size options. Pekingese and poodle combo might be either.”
Kenna peruses the rack, considering the assortment of my handmade outfits. We’re pretty well stocked at the moment. There’s the usual assortment of pirates and fairies, but I’m most proud of my outfits that capture pop culture human looks from different eras.
Kenna spins the rack, stops it, and snort-laughs as she pulls an outfit out from the center. “This! This one. This is IT!” She’s chosen a mini karate gi and headband alaThe Karate Kid.
“Please, God, let this suit fit and make sure this dog has a pronounced underbite.” Kenna holds her hands together, only half-joking with this prayer, I suspect.
I have to laugh. “Take it. I could not have chosen better myself.”
“You know, Georgia, we may not be so lucky in love, but this little dog is about to get lucky. When we’re through with him, it’s going to be a love match with his forever family for sure!” Kenna clutches the outfit to her heart, grinning.
This … this is why Kenna is my best friend.
hudson
I’mout for an early afternoon jog on the waterfront when the phone in my armband starts playing the “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme. It’s the ringtone I’ve set up for Bryce and Walker. They’re FaceTiming from the yacht.
I settle myself on the cement stairs that lead down to the water, push my sunglasses up onto my head, and take the call. It’s still morning in Bora Bora, and Bryce and my father are both wearing colorful, Polynesian-themed shirts and holding breakfast cocktails served up in hollowed-out pineapples. Oh boy.
“Morning,” I say. “How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain.” Walker toasts to the camera, then sets down his drink, trading it for a cigar. “We’ve had decent weather, and the chef is doing a helluva job.”
“That’s great,” I say, feigning interest. I picture the chef cutting octopus-shaped hot dogs for Bryce and arranging my father’s breakfast plate to look like a smiley face, complete with eggy eyes. They are both such children.
“Well, it would be great if you’d joined us for once, Hudson!” Walker leans forward, blowing smoke at the camera. Bryce leans back and fans the smoke away.
“Someone’s gotta stay home and keep an eye on the business.” I keep my tone neutral. We all know that my dad doesn’t mean it. He counts on menotto come along on these little trips.
“How’s the loft?” Bryce asks. “Pretty sick sound system, right? You been in the Jacuzzi yet?”
“I haven’t even turned the Jacuzzi on,” I say. “Looks like we’re a little behind schedule here. I can’t see us launching the coworking spaces before the New Year. I think we’re going to have to bump the grand opening of the workspace to February and release the residential in waves. The holiday launch sequence was a little overambitious.”
Walker looks quickly at Bryce and sets aside his cigar before leaning in. Bryce turns away from the camera. I can see the shadow of a bruise on his jawline. It’s hard to read his expression, though, because he’s wearing dark sunglasses.
“Okay, son. I’m glad you’re on it. We’ll make it work.”
“It’s a great project.” I nod. So great that even Bryce can’t screw it up.
It doesn’t escape my notice that Walker just called me “son.” I think it’s supposed to convey his confidence in me or something. But the word rings hollow and a tad manipulative. I’m here to save the day, doing things and working hours that no regular employee would ever put up with.
Bryce lowers his glasses and leans forward, slurring a bit. “Hey Huds. I’m dying to know. Is your cat trending on TikTok yet?”
