As expected, pandemonium erupted. The band kicked off a song I recognized as one from her new album—because of course I’d studied it—and Scarlet walked out waving both hands at the audience.
Gwen had told me her outfits were a cheat sheet for her mood, so I was thrilled to see Scarlet had worn a sunny yellow dress. As planned, Ryan handed me yet another bouquet of roses from beneath his desk, and I gave them to Scarlet. This time, she smiled as she accepted them. We settled on the couch.
“Well, isn’t thisnice?” Ryan grinned at us. “Harrison, you have something else for Scarlet, correct?”
“I do,” I nodded, and her eyes went wide. “Scarlet, what you said last night about needing more than words from me to prove that I was truly sorry was absolutely correct. We’re both major animal lovers, and I know how important your dog rescue charity is to you, so with that in mind, I’m donating fifty thousand dollars to it.”
The audience went crazy again.
“Hold on, hold on,” Ryan said to quiet them. “There’s more.”
“There is,” I agreed. “It’s easy to throw money at a problem, but I want to prove to you and all the Rushies that I’m serious about making things right. That’s why Ashford Jets is going to partner with the Scarlet Rush Forever Home Rescue and hold an adoption event in Los Angeles in two weeks.”
More cheers.
“And not only that—I’ll be covering all of the adoption fees at the event.”
Even more wild applause as Scarlet’s eyes welled up.
“Seriously?” she asked, placing her hand on my arm.
“One hundred percent. And I know you can’t attend since you’re on tour, but I promise you I’ll be there at the event, helping in every way I can. Boots on the ground.”
I glanced at Gwen in the wings, and she raised her hands triumphantly.
“Oh my gosh, that’sincredible,”‘ Scarlet said. She swiped away tears. “Thank you!”
She reached over to hug me over the gigantic arrangement of flowers.
“Well, I have a surprise for you as well,” Scarlet said as she wiped away the last of the tears. “I try to foster a few dogs per year, and my current foster…can you put the photo of him up?” She glanced around trying to find a monitor.
We all turned to look behind us as a photo flashed on the screen.
“Ohhh, no way,” I murmured as I looked at it. “What a good dog.”
It was a stocky bully breed, black, with a blockhead, disproportionately short legs, lots of forehead wrinkles, and a sprinkling of gray across his face. The audience cooed in unison.
“I know, right?” Scarlet laughed. “He came from a shelter in Alabama. He’s five and been there for eight months, so we figured it was time to turn the page for this handsome guy. Black dogs have a hard time getting adopted, and bully breeds evenmore so. Not on my watch, people! He’ll be with me until he finds his happily ever after.”
“What a lucky pup! What’s his name?” Ryan asked.
Scarlet looked at me and smiled. “Right now his name is Giblet, but if it’s okay with Harrison, I’d like to rename him…Ashford.”
She couldn’t have picked a more perfect olive branch. By naming her foster after me, our truce was solidified. I found myself almost choked up at the thought of a lonely shelter dog getting the chance to start over.
“Well, Harrison?” Ryan turned to me. “What do you think? Is that pup worthy of the Ashford name?”
I grinned at the massive photo on the screen behind us. “He’s not only worthy, now he’s family! I’m going to cover his veterinary care for the rest of his life.”
“Whoa, now that’s areallylucky dog,” Ryan laughed. “Okay folks, you heard the man. Get your applications in to adopt the one and onlyAshford!”
The crowd cheered.
“One last surprise for you, Harrison,” Scarlet said as the noise died down. “I’m giving you two VIP passes to my very first show of theLove, Scarlettour tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden! Can you make it?”
I glanced at Gwen in the wings. She was practically glowing, hands clasped under her chin like a kid on Christmas morning.
Fuck.
