“But it’s true.”
“Nah-uh.” Ridley wagged a finger. “Happily coupled people do not get to participate in the bitching fest. Go back to feeding your dog her blueberries.”
Ashanti stuck her tongue out at her before popping a blueberry into her own mouth.
“I don’t want this to turn into a bitching fest either,” Evie said with a heavy sigh. “It’s my fault I didn’t sense Bryson’s resentment.”
“Ev, I saw the way that man looked at you,” Ashanti said. “I didn’t notice any resentment. He looked infatuated with you.”
“Well, it didn’t sound like there was any infatuation once he finally got everything off his chest,” Evie said. “I think he’s been resenting me this entire time and was just stringing me along until he got the chance to rub his success in Cameron’s face. It was an added bonus that he could tell Cam that he was also screwing his fiancée.”
“You’re Cameron’s ex-fiancée, so why the hell should he care?” Ridley asked. “And at least the sex with Bryson was good, so you got something out of it.”
Evie huffed out a laugh. “You always know how to find the bright side, Rid.”
“It’s my gift,” Ridley said.
“Enough about Bryson,” Evie said. “I have a puppy gala to pull off, and I want to earn enough to buy a new building outright. I’ve already found a few options. I even looked at a few outside of the city that aren’t as expensive. But I’m getting ahead of myself. What I need to focus on right now is getting the word out about the gala.” She turned to Ridley. “Have you talked to Dom?”
Ridley held up her cell phone. “You are lucky as fuck. Her latest client had to cancel, so her schedule just opened up. And when I say you are lucky, I truly mean that you arelucky! Because Dom said she will do this pro bono. You all have turned her into a dog person too.”
“That’s fantastic!” Evie clapped her hands.
“And you don’t have to look for a venue, because she has already pulled in a favor and secured the Audubon Tea Room.”
The Audubon Tea Room, along with the gorgeous grounds surrounding it, would be the perfect location.
Evie was afraid to feel too hopeful, too soon, but she couldn’t fight the excitement that began building in her bloodstream.
“I’m going to pull this off,” Evie whispered.
“Damn right you will,” Ridley said.
She would. But Evie knew there was another person whose help she needed in order to make this gala the success the rescue deserved. It was time to swallow her pride and do what was best for The Sanctuary.
She called her mother and learned that she was at the hospital today, which was located downtown, not even ten minutes from Ridley’s condo. Ashanti offered to take Waffles to the dog park where she and Duchess were meeting up with Thad and Puddin’.
When Evie arrived at her mother’s office, she was told Dr. Williams was consulting in the Cardiac Care Unit. Evie opted for the stairs since it was only one flight up and found her mother standing at the nurses’ station, surrounded by six people in white coats.
Even though she couldn’t hear what was being said, the respect on the younger doctors’ faces as they listened to her mother filled Evie’s chest with a level of pride she wouldn’t even try to deny. The group broke apart a minute later and her mother, who hadn’t shown any indication that she’d noticed Evie, headed straight for her.
“What’s so urgent, Evelina?” Constance greeted. “Your call made it sound as if the world was on fire.”
“Nottheworld,” Evie said. “Justmyworld. And I’ve put the fire out, for the most part, but I’m not above asking for help when I need it. And I need your help.”
“Oh?” Constance’s brow arched. “It must be important if you’re willing to come to the hospital to get it. I know how you feel about this place.”
“It is important,” Evie said. “It is one of the most important things I have ever attempted, and I want to see it through. Can we go to your office?”
“I don’t want to leave the CCU,” Constance said. Her mother tapped the old school pager on her hip. She was one of a surprising number of doctors at the hospital who still used them. “I have two post-op patients I’m monitoring and don’t want to be too far away if I’m needed. We can use one of the consult rooms. Follow me.”
They started down the hallway. Once again, Evie noticed the deference being paid to her mother by everyone who passed them. There was outright hero worship on the faces of some of the younger doctors wearing the shorter white coats. Just before they reached the consult room, they had to move aside for a patient on a gurney being wheeled to their room.
Constance held the door open for Evie to go in ahead of her.
“You know, every time you’re here, I realize how much you don’t fit in,” her mother said.
Evie narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure if I should take that as an insult or as the truth.”
