Page 31 of September

“She’s a curious dog,” she said after clearing her throat.

“She’ll be asleep. Larry will be fine. I can even FaceTime you in the morning when we get up, if you’re not already at work. You’ll be able to see Carly, and I’ll show you Larry so that you know he survived the night.”

“I’ll be at work by the time you get up. But maybe later?”

“What time do you start work?”

“Six on the days I’m in the stores to train.”

“What? Six in the morning? God. Why?”

“Because that’s when the customers start to want their morning coffee. We get rushes around seven, so we have to have everything ready.”

“Well, get to sleep, then. It’s late for you.”

“It’s nine o’clock.”

“Exactly. Have you eaten, at least?” Gwen asked.

“Yes, I had something at the store.”

“A pastry for dinner?”

“We have packaged sandwiches and chips, too. You reallydon’tgo to Southern, do you?” Juliet asked with a smile.

“Not really. But I think I might need to start.”

“You should. If you go in with me one day, I’ll let you use my employee discount.”

“Well, now you’re just spoiling me.”

Juliet chuckled and asked, “Can I see her one more time before you let me go?”

“Yeah,” Gwen said and turned the phone to Carly, who was just happily chewing and paying them zero attention. “I’ll set the camera up and text you that it’s done, okay?”

“Thank you,” she replied, forever grateful that she had managed to find this woman to take care of Carly for her.

“No problem. Just give me twenty minutes for that, and then I’ll pack her stuff up, and we’ll hit the road.”

“She’s never been on a streetcar,” Juliet noted.

“Oh, I drove here. I kind of figured this might happen,” Gwen said and turned the phone back to herself. “So, she’ll get a fun car ride.”

“How did you know?” Juliet asked with a smile.

“I told you, I’m no rookie.”

Juliet smiled at her for what felt like a solid minute before she realized that she should probably say something.

“I’ll let you go, then, and finish getting dressed.”

“No, you’re good like that; wet hair and all,” Gwen said and then added, “Bye.”

The video was gone a second later, and Juliet laughed for a minute before she really thought about what Gwen had just said. They were definitely flirting with each other now.

CHAPTER 10

Gwen woke up with a wet nose pressed to her cheek.