I roll my eyes, knowing he can sense the action. “As if you don’t have enough dates lined up yourself. I’m not setting you up. And anyway, this is…new. I don’t want to risk it with anything.”
He chuckles. “Alright, alright, I’ll let it be. For now. But you know this is eventually going to call for another night out with Alexander, right?”
Yeah, for once I’m not looking forward to that.
“Lucas, what’s the idea?” I ask impatiently.
I can hear him clap his hands together, can imagine him pacing in his too-fancy office with the beautiful view of the Philadelphia skyline. “Here’s what I’m thinking,” he starts. “Socials absolutelylovedthe pictures of you at thatyoga with puppiesevent. I think we should capitalize on it. Videos of you training are great for marketing this fight, but it’s the after-hours that people love to see.”
I chew on my bottom lip as I mull it over. I usually hate the PR stuff, but Lucas knows the best way to get me to do them is to involve animals. It’s hard to hate a marketing gig if it involves puppies.
“There’s a shelter in NYC that’s getting all kinds of traction on socials right now,” Lucas continues. “But somehow, it’s still struggling to find fosters and adopters. You should attend one of their rescue meet-and-greets. Just spend the afternoon there, help out, and record a few videos with the dogs. Boom. Perfect non-fighting content to balance out the training videos we’re using to market your fight.”
Is it fate that I mentioned fostering last night?
More importantly, is that why I’m saying yes?
“It’s a good idea,” I find myself saying. “When’s the next meet-and-greet?”
“Next week, on Sunday. I can set it up if you’re good with it.”
My brain’s already thinking about whether or not I can get Daisy to see me on a Sunday night. “I’m good with it,” I respond absentmindedly.
“Good. And I’ll just put it out there: if you can get your mystery girl to come with you, it’d be even better for pictures…”
“Lucas,” I groan.
“I’m just saying! You were just telling us you haven’t had any luck with dating, and now suddenly you’re driving up to New York once a week for some new girl. It makes me curious.”
“Everythingmakes you curious.”
“It’s what makes me a good lawyer,” he retaliates. “Anyway, plan for Sunday afternoon then. And if you feel like fostering by the end, even better.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m hanging up now. I hope you get murked in court today.”
He’s still laughing as I hang up.
THIRTEEN
SCARLETT
Three days later, the autopilot I’m used to running on feels more depressing than usual. Even my classes aren’t enough to bring me out of the haze I’ve sunken into. Instead of them being a flicker of excitement on my usually drab days, they just make me feel…desperate for more.
I think that’s why Nico’s comment about fostering continues to roll around in my head. I don’t think I’d be ready for a pet in my apartment just yet, but there are temporary fosters, right? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen videos of people taking dogs out of the shelter for an afternoon. That could be fun…
A quick search tells me there’s a meet-and-greet hosted by a local rescue this weekend. It’s only a two-hour event, and they’re desperate for volunteers. If they needed people to work hands-on with the animals, I don’t think I’d be able to talk myself into it, but when I see they need a few people to assist with admin duties, it’s less of an inner debate to make my decision.
It only takes a few clicks to register as an assistant.
And now I have three days to panic about this commitment I’ve made on a whim.
By the time Sunday morning rolls around, and I’m sitting in a taxi on my way to the event, my nerves have only tripled.What was I thinking? Why would I step out of my routine like this?
Sundays are normally my off days. Not that they look much different than my other days—besides the not seeing clients part. But knowing what I have to look forward to has been a comfort. Today’s shaking me more than I thought it would.
When the taxi stops at the event, I’m breathing heavily and about to ask the driver to turn around. I shouldn’t be here. I add no value here. I’m not even wearing the right clothes,whydid I think I should wear a sundress to an event like this? I need to leave. I?—
And then I see him. Nico.
