“If it’s okay with the Snortster,” I say, carefully handing him over. “He can be picky sometimes.”
To my surprise, Snorty doesn’t squirm. He settles into Samuel’s arms with ease.
Samuel giggles as Snorty snuffles against his jacket. “Daddy, can we get a dog like this? Please?”
“Perhaps,” Mr. Lemon replies, gently taking Snorty from Samuel's arms and giving him back to me.
“Now if you’ll excuse us, Samuel and I are off to see the shark reef at Mandalay Bay. We’ll catch up later.”
“Sure,” I say, trying not to let my disappointment show.
So much for my pitch. After spending almost the entire night working on my report, this could have been my only time to talk to Mr. Lemon.
And now he's off to look at fish.
Once they disappear, Rio stands and straightens his jacket. “I need to leave too. Rehearsal calls.”
When we’re alone, Antoine gives me a small nod. “Looks like things are going well for you and Rio.”
My heart warms to hear him say our names together.
“Yes. Looks that way, doesn’t it?”
I stand there a moment, watching Rio go. Remembering the bond we created last night.
Looking forward to Rio making good on his promise when we’re both back in New York.
Antoine taps his clipboard. “Well, I better get to rehearsal also. But first, I arranged another little PR activity for you.”
“Oh?” I glance at the schedule app he sent me.
“You’ll be visiting the Las Palmas Paws spa. Just a brief tour so my photographers can get pictures of you and Snorty. No massages or treatments.”
Snorty, hearing this, yips sharply in disappointment.
Antoine and I laugh.
“The photographers will meet you there. You’ll need to walk through the main lobby to get to the Paws spa.”
“We’re ready.”
As Snorty and I head toward the hotel lobby, a surprising peace settles over me.
I have a gorgeous fake fiancé, and a happy dog.
For the first time in my life, I feel like the lead in my own story.
CHAPTER 22
MADDIE
“So how’s it going with Rio in Las Vegas?” Janie says through my earbuds. She’s caught me as I walk Snorty through the hotel’s fancy shopping arcade.
“Tolerable,” I say, not willing to tell Janie anything until we’re side by side in Manhattan. “Las Vegas is over the top. Right now I’m taking Snorty for a tour of the Paws Day Care Center. Can you believe that?”
We chat and gossip for a few more minutes. But somewhere in the middle of a story about Janie’s hot new coworker, I suddenly feel like I’m being followed.
I glance over my shoulder and see a man dressed entirely in black trailing a few yards behind me.
