I finger tap my chin, hating this whole thing. What choice did I have? I caused this mess. I need to fix it. A scuffle at my feet reminds me I’m still trailing Oliver. He’s pulling on the leash, like a moth fighting for freedom from its own spun cocoon. “Let me run home first, and drop him off, and I’ll be back.”
“That would be wonderful,” Arielle calls back.
Or maybe I won’t come back!My eyes are about to bug out of my head.
Why do I have all the bad luck?
“Yeah.” I run a hand through my hair, tucking it behind my ear. “I mean, I can help for an hour or two while he rests. Maybe for the rest of the day—”
“Perfect.” Arielle leans over, practically heaving Christian further through his office door. “That would be amazing. Thank you so much!”
I can’t hear anything else. My ears are bleeding, and I walk forward until my feet meet the doorframe. Slamming my forehead against the muted-eggshell paint, I suppress a scream.
Is this happening?
Is my luck really getting even worse?
First, I was fired. Then the dog I borrowed to run my business—so I don’t go homeless—broke the jerk who fired me. I just offered tohelphim!
I throw up my hands as my shoulders bounce, preluding to sobs I’m holding in with all my strength. I’ve got to hurry and get Oliver home. Maybe if I can cover Christian’s customers, he won’t threaten to sue me or Mrs. Nelson?
This is the worst possible thing that could have happened today!
thirteen
Christian
“Why did you do that?” I whisper harshly to my sister. “That woman is my nemesis, and you invited her into my space.”
Arielle always has an uncanny ability to be best friends with everyone. She’s a Labrador of people. I knew better than to let her talk to Portia, but it’s not like I had a choice. Portia was spying on me. Now I’m stuck. Literally, and figuratively. I sprawl out on the couch in my office, and I can’t even wiggle my big toe.
If I tell Portia she can’t help, I’ll look like a total jerk. Plus, I know from the last time I threw out my back, I’m going to be off my feet for at least a day or two. Arielle isn’t trained to run the store. But Portia could train her. Maybe if Portia can show her the ropes this afternoon, I won’t need any more help from her?
“Christian, relax.” Arielle peeps back into my office door from the lobby. “Nobody’s here yet. You’re not losing any business.”
“That’s not helping the matter,” I grumble.
“But look what I found lying on the ground outside.” El flashes a postcard in front me. “It’s a QR code for a free match on this new dating website called,Your Last First Date. You should sign up. It would give you something to do while you're lying there, and it might help that mood thing you’ve been having.”
I flash a look at the ceiling. There’s nothing wrong with my mood. I’m not signing up for a stupid dating site. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Come on.” Without waiting for an invite, she takes a giant step inside the door, crossing the room to snatch my phone off my desk. Then she plops to the floor, sitting next to me. “There’s nobody here, and it will kill time. It might be fun.”
“Not doing that—” Shuffling my feet from annoyance, I wince when it pulls my back muscle.
“Great!” El cuts me off while pulling up a bright pink website on my phone. It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve seen all day, but it doesn’t even phase her as she types. “I’ve been worried about you. This is the perfect thing to take your mind off all the stress you have here.”
“That’s the last thing I need.”
“Look at how cute the website is,” El gushes, ignoring my defenses. “And look.” She points to the screen, her lips twisting into a giddy grin. “You can pick your preferences!” She adjusts the angle of my phone, her whole face lighting up from the glow of the screen. “Let’s see…what do you like? Kindhearted. Professional. Family oriented, and we’ll add good looks for fun.”
El’s clicking buttons I can’t see from my spot of slamming the back of my head against the armrest. I don’t doubt she is making me look like a giant tool on there. Again, Arielle’s always been social with everyone. This is right up her alley. “You should be the one making the profile.”
“Oh, no, I’m not on the market at the moment, but you totally are.”
I can’t stand to be here, wasting my time with this, but I can’t move, so I’m out of options.
“Look!” El peels her eyes from the computer screen, sliding it so I can see the screen. “You got a match!”
