Page 48 of Pugs & Kisses
E v. Evie!”
Evie heard her name being called over the din of the crowd crammed on The PX’s main floor. She looked toward where the voice had come from and spotted Ashanti and Thad sitting at the bar that spanned the majority of the downstairs space.
“Over here!” Ashanti waved them over.
She took Bryson by the hand and led him past the high-top tables and stools packed with people. At least thirty screens of various sizes were positioned throughout the sports bar, eight of which comprised the wall behind the bar.
“Sorry we’re late,” Evie greeted as they approached where their friends sat.
“It’s my fault,” Bryson said. “I was called into surgery early this morning.”
“And I didn’t want to leave without him,” Evie said. She turned to Bryson. “I thought we said we weren’t going to do that thing where we finish each other’s sentences.”
He held up his hands. “You did it, not me.”
“You’re supposed to point out when I do it,” Evie said.
He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “I promise to point it out next time,” he said. “Although, for the record, I think it’s cute.”
Evie looked over to find Ashanti and Thad staring with matching incredulous expressions.
“What?” Evie asked.
Thad just shook his head as he slid off the stool. “Take this one,” he said. “I need to check on the dogs.”
Evie climbed onto the stool Thad had just vacated. Bryson’s focus was already on the basketball game that dominated every screen in the bar.
“That was weird, but I’m in my ‘no judging’ era, so I won’t comment,” Ashanti said. “Where are Waffles and Bella? Why didn’t you bring them?”
“Because Bryson’s mom and dad are dog sitting before they leave for their cruise. They’re going for two weeks, through the Panama Canal.”
“Jealous,” Ashanti said.
“Same,” Evie said. “But Bryson and I are too busy to even consider going on a vacation anytime soon.”
“That’s right, Businesswoman. You have a business to get off the ground.” Ashanti beamed. “Are you excited? I’m excited for you.”
“I’m very excited,” Evie said. “Nervous, but excited.”
Thad returned with Puddin’, who wore his rhinestone collar. Evie reached down and gave him a head scratch.
“Where’s Duchess?” Ashanti asked.
“Still taking pictures,” Thad said.
“Did you have any idea when you came up with the idea for The PX that Puddin’ would be one of the main reasons everyone wanted to visit?” Evie asked him.
“Uh, if you can recall, I didn’t want anything to do with Puddin’ when I moved back to New Orleans,” Thad said. “I’m still undecided.”
“You are not.” Ashanti playfully kicked at his shin. “I think Puddin’ is the perfect mascot for this place. He softens it up.”
“I’m just glad to finally fully open this place,” Thad said.
Thad and Von’s estimate of a few more weeks until their official grand opening had been off by about another month thanks to a broken water main that took the city longer than anticipated to fix. Yet, the timing could not have been more perfect.
Because of the delay, The PX’s grand opening coincided with a significant NBA game featuring New Orleans’s franchise. Evie was pretty certain she was the only person here not wearing a Pelicans jersey. That included the dogs.
“Look at that one,” Thad muttered, gesturing with his chin.
Evie looked to her right and caught sight of Von Montgomery stalking toward them.
Make that two people not sporting Pelicans regalia.
Von wore an army-green T-shirt with The PX’s official logo across the chest. He had a bar towel slung over his shoulder and a determined look on his face.
His expression softened when he noticed Evie and Bryson.
“Hey,” Von said, kissing Evie on the cheek and catching Bryson’s palm in a firm shake. “Glad you two could make it.”
“As if we would miss out on the celebration,” Evie said. “This has been a long time coming.”
He nodded. “I still can’t believe it’s finally here.”
“Yes, it is finally here,” Thad said. “So why don’t you take a minute to enjoy it instead of running around like a mother hen?”
“Someone has to run this place,” Von said. He took his phone out of his back pocket. “Okay, Evie, you said the mobile vet truck will be ready to roll by June, right? I’ve got you down for the third Thursday of every month.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Discounted vaccinations and free exams for service animals. I’ll have a link for customers to schedule their services as soon as Kara finishes my website.”
“Good,” Von said. A loud clang came from the vicinity of the kitchen.
“I’ll go see what that’s about,” Thad said.
“I’ve got it,” Von said. He stuffed his phone back in his pocket. “This place is going to fall down around us before the day is over.”
Bryson hooked a thumb in Von’s direction. “Does he seem a bit high-strung to anyone else?”
“He’s wound tighter than a fucking guitar string,” Thad said. “I’ll give him until the end of the week to get it out of his system, then I’m intervening.” He settled his elbows back on the bar. “By the way, the mobile vet thing is a genius idea, Evie.”
“You’re welcome,” Bryson said, grabbing a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the bar.
Evie rolled her eyes. “Yes, it was his idea, but I designed the interior space. It’s the perfect mobile clinic.”
Evie already had a host of businesses that had shown interest in her upcoming mobile vet clinic visiting, including several in small towns along the bayou where Bryson grew up.
The ability to bring quality veterinary care to smaller, underserved communities was a bonus she hadn’t anticipated when she decided to act upon what had first been a joke between her and Bryson.
She planned to continue working at Barkingham Palace, but the rest of her time would go to her new venture. It felt as if she’d finally found her calling.
“The only thing she’s missing is a name,” Bryson said.
“You haven’t decided?” Ashanti asked.
“Nothing fits.” Evie shrugged. “I wanted to name it after Waffles, but every name I come up with sounds more like a food truck than a veterinary clinic.”
“Well, I still think you should go with Crescent City Mobile Clinic,” Ashanti said. “An ode to New Orleans is always a safe bet.”
Evie scrunched up her nose. “Half the businesses in this town are named Crescent City something or other.”
“Which should tell you something. It’s a good name.”
“Pugs and Kisses Veterinary Clinic,” Ridley said as she crossed Evie and took the seat next to her. She’d come from out of nowhere.
The four of them stared at her in complete silence.
“What?” Ridley asked with a shrug. “She owns a pug. Well, at least he’s part pug, right? Pugs and Kisses. You can cover the outside of the truck with pink kiss marks. People will love it.”
Thad’s head jerked back. “Who are you?”
“Weird, right?” Ashanti said.
“Weird, but brilliant,” Evie said. “I love Pugs and Kisses.”
Ridley grinned and winked. “Told you I would start doing good. This place looks really nice,” she said to Thad. “It’s not my usual scene, but I get the appeal.”
Von chose that moment to return. He stopped at the sight of Ridley.
Evie’s heart squeezed at the intense longing that played across his face. Ridley did a better job at masking her feelings, but Evie noticed the shaky breath her friend sucked in.
“Ridley,” Von said. “Thanks for coming.”
“Yeah, well, I know how important today is to all of you. I wanted to show my face.” She scooted off the stool she’d just climbed on. “I need to get going.”
“But you just got here,” Ashanti said.
“I’ve got a presentation I need to finish up before tomorrow,” she said.
“And, like I said, this isn’t really my scene.
” She nodded at Evie. “You can thank me for the name with pastries from that new Black-owned bakery in Central City. Get in line early. They tend to sell out of the chocolate croissants before noon.”
“Um… okay,” Evie said.
To Thad, she said, “Good luck with”—Ridley glanced in Von’s direction—“everything.”
“So weird,” Evie and Ashanti said in unison as they watched their friend stroll out of The PX.
Ashanti tapped Evie with her elbow. “But, hey, it sounds as if your mobile vet business has a name.”
“It sure does,” Evie said. She held her hands out, as if pointing at a marquee. “Pugs and Kisses to the Rescue.”