How can I ever stop my clumsy ass from trampling her heart?
XVII
Puppy Love
(Lena)
I am scared.
Over the next week, everything snaps into place like a well-oiled hinge.
Any other time, I’d be tempted to think this life is too good to be true.
Call it cynical, but living taught me to be.
But with Brady, I don’t have the heart to be all stone and thorns. Not when he’s painfully sweet, going out of his way to make sure everything is as easy for me as possible.
Not when there’s Ezzie and Pawsome Hearts and the rest of my life to plan.
She’s approved of my financials and even agreed to help me interview a new vet doctor looking to buy in and partner up.
Everything is going the way it should, and that’s the problem.
Even Harry hasn’t shown his ugly, sneering face since Brady stepped in and ejected him from my property.
My pride hates that I needed a big, strong man to chase away my nightmare, but my inner princess adores the freedom. Without Bradycharging in, I’d have a ten-ton boulder pressing down on my neck and nowhere else to turn.
“There is something unusual,” Dr. Ezzie says as we walk to the boarding building together.
“Unusual how?” Instead of tensing up like usual with doubt, I just glance at her, waiting patiently.
“A letter.” She waves a hand and shakes her head. “It’s probably nothing, this notice about a plumber who didn’t file his permit paperwork right back when we had a pipe replaced. I think it was three years ago.”
“Threeyears?” I whistle. “Doesn’t this city have anything better to do?”
“That’s code enforcement for you—and they’re slapping me with a large fine. I don’t think it’s anything for you to worry about, necessarily.” She gives me a tired but genuine smile. “Things are looking up. Frankly, this is the first time in years I’ve had to turn clientsdown.”
I try not to blush, though we both know the reason for this new wind at our backs.
Brady Pruitt.
News of our engagement spread fast, including my entire life story. When Dr. Ezzie hit me with fifty questions about why I didn’t tell her that nice young man with the corgi wasmynice young fiancé, I had to throw together the most awkward lie of my life.
Pathetic.
But it’sweirdknowing my engagement with Brady is the only reason people are beating down our doors.
I mean, it’s awesome and all. There’s no good reason to get upset over more business. And the newcomers love our personal touch, minting many happy new cats and dogs.
Fine.
What’s not fine is having lies multiplying like rabbits.
If that’s really a sin, I’m going to superhell.
I didn’t think buying Pawsome Hearts would cost me my soul, but whatever.
There’s no denying how lovely it is to see Dr. Ezzie smiling and breathing lighter. It’s like I can see more light in her eyes, the stress melting away.
