“Yes.”
"Jeez, Maddie. Instead of taking out a loan for that operation, play Rio's girlfriend. It won't kill you to pose for pictures with him in Vegas for a weekend.”
Steven names a figure.
“That’s more than enough money to get Snorty the medical care he needs,” he says.
I’m silent for a minute. Though Snorty recovers from his wheezing, I know it’s just a matter of time before it happens again.
“All right,” I say, looking at my watch. I’m “late for yoga. I’ll think about it."
CHAPTER 3
MADDIE
The 6pm yoga class is so packed I can barely find space to unroll my mat. The room is wall-to-wall with those perfect bodies.
Women with Barbie figures and men with biceps that bulge when they do downward dog.
The sharp scent of Clorox attacks my nose. I look down to see Janie scrubbing her mat with a disinfecting wipe.
“Man, Janie,” I say with a laugh. “I wish you were such a germ freak in our apartment’s bathroom.”
She flips me the bird just as the teacher floats into the room in her matching Lululemon set.
As the teacher’s soothing voice melds with the meditation audio flowing through the speakers, my mind races.
I can’t stop thinking about Mr. Walker’s hint that the school may close. And then Steven’s wanting me to play Rio’s fake girlfriend. If it weren’t for Snorty, no way would I even consider it.
***
After class ends, I dodge sweaty bodies as I follow Janie to the juice bar. We could never have afforded this fancy club if it wasn’t for that two-for-one deal they ran last January.
Janie’s eyes dart around the room until she spots an empty high-top table near the window. Some muscled guy in gray sweatpants has his eye on it too.
But Janie sprints over and slams her purple water bottle down, claiming territory.
“Look around, let’s see who’s hot,” she says, putting a fake smile on her face.
“You’re so obvious!” I flush red as I pull a tea bag from my purse and dunk it into a Styrofoam cup of the club’s water. “Can’t you try Tinder in the privacy of our apartment?”
“Of course,” she says with a grin. “But this way we can identify guys who hang together and go on a double date.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop it. You know I’ve completely sworn off men. Snorty gives me everything I need in a boyfriend. He’s super smart, always cheers me up when I’m down, and cuddles with me every night.”
She shakes her head, her expression turning serious. “You and that puppy. Speaking of Snorty, have you talked to your brother about borrowing money for his operation?”
“Actually,” I say slowly, “it turns out I might not need to ask for a loan after all.”
“Oh yeah? You happen to have a cool six thousand lying around I don’t know about?”
“No,” I say. “But Steven knows someone who needs my services.”
“Services, eh? Miss Modesty is hooking now?” She teases.
I roll my eyes. “Possibly worse. He asked me to play the role of Rio Wilder’s girlfriend in Las Vegas this weekend.”
Janie’s face turns a bright shade of pink that matches her workout top. “Rio Wilder! Your childhood heartthrob!Finally.He’s so hot when he struts his stuff in those tight leather pants. Please tell me you said yes.”
