Page 38 of Striking the Match (Redwood Bay Fire #3)

Cassius

“This is truly amazing, Mr. Garda,” Gus says as he walks us back toward the front entrance of Redwood Bay’s animal shelter. “We can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.”

“It’s going to make such a difference!” Paisley adds tearfully.

I smile at them both and glance at Teddy. It still feels slightly risky to be holding his hand in public when we haven’t officially announced anything, but I’d hope we’re among friends here.

“It’s our pleasure,” I say sincerely. “You do amazing work here. Not only did you lead me to Kiki, but to Teddy as well.”

“You’re like our guardian angels,” Teddy says warmly.

It’s entirely possible that Paisley might combust with pride. But Gus manages to keep his composure as he holds his hand out to shake with me, Teddy, and Bryan. My PA even deigns to look up from his phone as he grips the manager’s hand.

As predicted, the shelter’s staff was absolutely thrilled to hear of our plans to raise money for them and highlight various pets for adoption.

Bryan’s just taken them through the logistics of what we’re hoping for the night and locked down a date that works for everyone, including the One-Thirteen.

“I guess we’ll see you at the fundraiser, then?” I say as we reach the door.

“You betcha,” Gus assures us enthusiastically.

The color suddenly drains from Paisley’s face. “Oh…what on earth am I going to wear? I have nothing!”

Gus laughs fondly. “I’m sure you have plenty, sweetie.”

But she shakes her head. “Not for something like this! Mr. Garda said he’s inviting other players from the Seahawks!”

“I might have a connection with some more high-profile guests as well,” Bryan says absently, typing as he speaks.

“Movie stars. Singers. The police captain apparently knows some people.” He glances at Paisley with a devilish look in his eyes.

“I’d say if this isn’t an excuse for a new dress, when is? ”

Paisley squeals and dashes off into the office where I assume she’s either going to start shopping on her own phone immediately or is going to call someone to get advice on what to buy and then start shopping immediately.

We all laugh and smile fondly. Her enthusiasm is infectious.

In fact, everyone’s been excited and supportive of the fundraiser so far.

Teddy’s boss, Captain Valentine, couldn’t believe it when I said I intended on helping his house upgrade with a helicopter of their own.

It turns out that the station already has a helipad on the roof.

They’ve just only ever used it to support other departments before now.

“So our photographer will be with you around two o’clock tomorrow,” Bryan continues to organize with Gus. “He’ll get the most adorable photos of the animals we’ve selected to showcase. If we don’t halve your current occupancy numbers by the time this is all through, I’ll eat my shoes.”

“Those things are Italian leather, too,” I inform Gus with a wink.

Gus smiles, but his eyes are also a little glassy as he rubs the back of his neck.

“It gets me whenever one of our guests finds their forever home,” he says thickly, nodding his head.

“But if you could help a whole bunch of them at once, that sure would be something, Mr. Kallis. How’s Twelve settling in with you, by the way? ”

I chuckle. “Her name’s Noir now and I bet there isn’t a more spoiled princess in all of Southern California.” Bryan gives me a cold look of betrayal, but the rest of us laugh. “And Kiki’s out of her cone. She’s pretty much recovered from her operation and is getting braver by the day.”

Gus beams at me before turning his attention to Teddy. “And how about you, Mr. Foster? Or are your family’s allergies still too much of an issue?”

“They are,” Teddy says as he glances at me. “But I get to see Kiki all the time, so that’s good enough for now.”

Gus gives us a look that I’ve been getting used to over the past couple of weeks.

Even though we’ve still been keeping things mostly private, when people see us holding hands or talking about dates we’ve been on, they get a bit soft and glowy.

My mom practically vibrated herself into a different dimension when I finally introduced her to Teddy the other day.

For all it’s complicated, people are happy for us. Really happy.

“You boys take care now,” Gus says as we finally take our leave. “And thank you once again. We’ll look forward to seeing you at the fundraiser!”

“Absolutely,” I agree. “Who knows? Maybe Kiki might pop out and say hello.”

“Stranger things have happened,” Teddy says with a chuckle.

We step out into the sunshine and are greeted with a sudden wall of shrieks and chattering. It takes me a second to blink and adjust to the light enough to see that a dozen or so people have gathered by the right of the entrance, presumably waiting to meet me.

“We can just get in the car,” Bryan mutters quietly, but I shake my head.

“They’ve been respectful staying out here. I can do a few selfies, right?”

Bryan doesn’t look convinced and Teddy’s immediately anxious. We’ve experienced a few fans approaching us since the livestream went out, but it hasn’t been anything too intense, thank goodness. He’s definitely on guard for the next asshole like the one we encountered at the walkway.

“Hey, everyone!” I cry as we make our way over to where they’ve situated themselves. “Thanks for not disturbing the animals, we appreciate that. Would anyone like a selfie or an autograph?”

“One at a time!” Bryan warns them.

The wall of noise ramps up again, but it’s friendly. I see a family with kids, some teenagers and young women, and a couple of guys who seem too starstruck to speak. Hopefully they’ll realize I’m just a dork underneath it all and manage a few words when I get to them.

Teddy hangs back with Bryan, but whenever I glance over at him, he’s smiling warmly at me.

With Bryan’s media training and after many conversations between the two of us, he’s getting more at ease with receiving attention.

As I predicted, the online frenzy about him died down after the first few days.

But I’m not foolish enough to think it’ll go away, especially after we confirm our relationship and start making more public appearances.

Like she’s proving my point, one of the women calls out to Teddy. “Would you want to join in our selfie?” she asks. “I just love that you guys met through that cat. I’ve watched so many videos of the rescue!”

Teddy looks bashful but he glances at Bryan, who shrugs at him. “Why not,” my assistant says.

The young woman lets out a little squeak as Teddy walks over. “You guys make such a cute couple, by the way,” she says before smiling for the picture.

“Thank you so much, ma’am,” I tell her sincerely.

She giggles behind her hand. “Ma’am,” she repeats in wonder, then dutifully moves aside for the next person to say hello.

A slim guy in a Seahawks cap sticks his phone in my face.

With his scraggly goatee and thick black glasses, he gives off more of a nerd vibe than sports fan.

But I’ve learned never to judge based on appearances alone, so I give him a friendly smile like all the others.

I’m pretty sure he hung back until the end to let everyone else meet me first, so that means something.

It does. Just not what I thought it did.

“Mr. Garda, care to comment on your relationship with Mr. Foster here?”

Bryan is like a sleeper agent being activated by his codewords. He’s in front of me before I can even blink. “Sorry, no. We’re not here to speak to the press. Have a nice day.”

“Quite the age gap, isn’t it? When did you guys actually meet?”

“What do you mean?” Teddy says with a frown. “I’m twenty-three and we met about a month ago.”

But Bryan is already steering me and him away. Luckily, my ankle is basically back to normal so we can make haste.

“Don’t say a word, Teddy,” Bryan growls under his breath. “I’m pretty sure that’s Dez Starr. He’s an absolute rat, blogging whatever lies he wants. Don’t give him any ammunition. He’ll twist anything we say.”

Indeed, as we continue to head over the parking lot, Dez is following with his phone up. Presumably he’s been recording since we stepped out of the shelter.

“If you haven’t got anything to hide, why won’t you answer a few questions? People are saying that Mr. Foster is a lifelong fan and the two of you have been corresponding since before he was eighteen. Is that true?”

Rage flies through me and I almost spin on my heels to confront him.

But tiny little Bryan has a vise-like grip on me, marching us all toward the truck.

Unfortunately, we parked at the end of the lot today because it was busy inside.

I’m really regretting that now. Every step gives this Starr guy another second of our time.

“Is it true you’re personally bankrolling the Redwood Bay fire department, Mr. Garda?

Is that why you’re dating him, Mr. Foster?

And why are you funding a bunch of animals when there are human beings suffering in the community?

Surely that money could go toward sick children or helping army veterans? ”

“What the—?” Teddy starts to say.

“Zip it,” Bryan warns as we reach the car.

It’s pretty obvious this so-called reporter is trying to get a rise out of us whatever way he can. It’s as if he’s testing the fences, looking for a weak spot. His behavior is despicable, but not something I haven’t had to deal with a thousand times before.

As much as we’ve tried, though, Teddy is unprepared.

“Mr. Foster! What do you have to say about your brother’s gambling debts? Are you hoping Mr. Garda will pay those off, too? Is that why you’re dating him?”

“What did you say?” Teddy cries, whirling out of Bryan’s grip and advancing on Dez Starr. “My family has nothing to do with this!”