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Whoa, now. “We ran into Harlan and Courtney last week and they invited us to a dinner party, but that was it. We never confirmed we’d do it.”
“Hmm.” She twists her lips. “That’s not what they told Jerome.”
So they’re trying to use our names to get their show on the air?
“I’ll let Archer know.” Maybe he can put a stop to it. I have no desire to be on RealityTV.
“I think Sandy has to go to the bathroom,” Ava calls back to us. “I’m going to take her to that tree across the street.”
“Okay, be careful.” Claire turns to me. “This is turning out better than I expected. If you couldn’t tell, we’re taking that dog home.”
“Good. Sandy’s a sweet girl.”
“How often do your animals get adopted?”
“Usually a few a week. We try to make sure the family will be a good fit, so sometimes we have to reject an application. But it’s just so they don’t end up returning them later or abandoning them somewhere else.”
She nods. “Totally understandable. You know, I happened to find this place on Google because I was looking anyway, but I had no idea this shelter was even here. If you want, I could get Jerome to post a feature on their social media or something.”
“Wow, that’s really nice of you.” RealityTV or not, exposure is still exposure. “Thanks.”
She laughs. “I’m not a total bitch all the time.”
“I never said-”
“Relax, I’m teasing.”
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to her version of teasing. But now that she mentions it, maybe I could ask for her help with something else too. “I’m actually planning a benefit soon for the shelter. Our funding will run out starting in about a month and a half. Archer’s company might donate some in the interim, but I want to diversify our income sources. Would your husband be able to post about a fundraiser once I lock in a date and venue?”
“Sure. Better yet, add me, him, and Ava to your guest list. We’d love to come.”
“Where are we going?” Ava asks, joining us once again. By her side, Sandy stands happily, her tail wagging back and forth.
“A benefit for the shelter. You’ll get to dress up fancy and stay up late.”
Ava’s eyes widen. “Awesome. This is the best day ever.” She rushes forward and hugs Claire around the middle, a tentative smile creeping over Claire’s face as she reaches down and gently strokes her stepdaughter’s hair.
Ava bounds away soon after with Sandy prancing by her side, and Claire touches her fingers to her lips, watching her.
I stay silent, giving her a moment, until she glances over, remembering I’m there. “Sorry.” She wipes discreetly at her eye, pink touching her cheeks. “That was the first time she’s hugged me.”
“I bet there’s a lot more of that to come.”
“I hope,” she says quietly. “Jerome works so much, it ends up being me that’s the disciplinarian. I never get to be the fun guy.”
“Well, you definitely scored some major points with this.”
We turn the last corner to loop back to the shelter, Ava still far in front of us. Speaking of fundraisers, I need to go visit Mackenzie again. And Gabriel too, I guess. Archer never told me if he ever talked to his brother about his new career path.
We pass by the same jewelry store I peered into Sunday, but I don’t spy in the window this time. My thumb touches the bottom of the slim band encircling my ring finger now, taking comfort in having this at least. It may not be extravagant, but it’s something.
Claire fills out the last of the paperwork when we get back as Ava plays with Sandy, and I gift them the sparkly pink leash as they leave, waving goodbye. Warmth radiates in my chest as the girl and dog look at each other adoringly. This is why I started this nonprofit. For moments like this.
I return to my desk upstairs, my heart still overflowing as I pick up my phone, discovering I have three missed calls.
And they’re all from Dad.
What does he want? I haven’t spoken to him since he practically evicted me from my apartment. After seeing where I really stand, I don’t have all that much to say to him.