“You’re not walking through the paparazzi by yourself again. This is getting out of hand. Duncan said that yesterday you talked with them for ten minutes. And bought thembaked goods.” He says it as if cupcakes are some illicit substance.
Duncan is Ryder’s new bodyguard, whom he hired to fly out and protect me. He’s been Chase’s close protection officerfor years, so I know him. In internet fandom circles, he’s quite popular. The fans call him Hot Bodyguard, which Chase thinks is hilarious and annoys the shit out of Duncan.
I sniff. “Cupcakes are meant for sharing. And the paparazzi are people too. I chatted with Colin, my new friend, who’s just trying to pay his bills and really wants to be a fashion photographer. And did you know that Rosalie, who’s a single mother, is one of the highest-paid paparazzi out there? She broke the glass ceiling.”
He closes his eyes, as if in pain. “Daisy,” he growls. Again.
“Still my name.”
“Paparazzi are not people you should befriend. They’re the scourge of the earth. They sneak and lie and destroy privacy and lives.”
I shrug. “Eh. Did you know that Brad, one of the scourges, is saving up to buy his girlfriend an engagement ring? Anyway, I can’t talk now. I have to show off Archie’s new ‘fit’ to the cameras. Surf style of the fifties inspired his look.” I put on a pair of sunglasses. “It took me forever to get his shirt just right. And then I have to be back in time because I have an interview set up for a potential new family to adopt him.”
“Really? You set up an interview without me hounding you about it?”
He sounds surprised, probably because since he first arrived, I only set up interviews under extreme duress. And I selected terrible candidates, ones I knew he’d never choose. But giving up on my plan for Ryder to be Archie’s forever dad means I need to find him a happy home, even if I’ll miss the little guy so much.
I wonder if I can negotiate visitation rights. Maybe I can be their standing pet sitter.
When I’m back from Spain, of course. Or Paris. Or Fiji. Or wherever I end up when this gig ends.
“Just doing what you told me to do, boss man.”
Ryder frowns. I’d think he would look happier that I’m finally doing what he’s asked of me.
“I better go. Duncan’s outside, waiting for us,” I say.
Archie and I breeze past Ryder, though I have to pull the dog because it’s obvious he wants his favorite human to join us.
“We’re talking about the fake-dating plan tonight. You can’t avoid me forever, Daisy,” Ryder calls to my departing back. I turn and blow him a kiss.
The look on his face makes me smile.
I’m still smiling as I wave to the paps when Archie, Duncan, and I make it to the bottom of the hill. Duncan, however, is not smiling. He gives the photographers a ferocious glare of warning not to get too close. The paps take photos as usual, peppering me with questions, which I deftly sidestep. Luckily, Archie isn’t scared of the people and cameras. He’s a little ham, prancing around in his outfit. I guess he’s like me in that regard.
After the walk, I change the dog into a fresh shirt. I’m very excited about this one because it’s—wait for it—linen! It was inspired by the shirts in Taylor’s boutique. People might say that dogs don’t need to wear clothes. And they would be absolutely right. But Archie truly loves his outfits. It gives him a spring in his step, and he prances around when I dress him.
“You look very handsome, Archie,” I praise. “The family is going to love you. How could they not?” I plump a living room pillow. “But I promise I won’t let anyone adopt you unless you love them back.”
“They’re late. That’s not a good sign. It means they aren’t responsible enough for a dog.”
I turn to see Ryder leaning against the doorway, looking particularly lickable in a dark-gray T-shirt and jeans. It’s an exciting departure from his usual black. With the laps he’s been logging in the pool, his olive skin has darkened, making him look a little less like a rocker, but no less handsome.
“Only by three minutes,” I say, checking the time.
We both freeze when the doorbell rings. I look down at Archie. Something mournful takes up residence in my heart at the thought of the little guy going to another home, even if it is what’s best for him. I’m transported back to being a young girl who lost her dog, her only friend.
But this time, that’s not all I’ll lose.
Archie, however, has no idea that a new family and life might be on the other side of the door, so he joyfully bounds to greet the strangers.
CHAPTER 22
Ryder
(TEN YEARS AGO) RYDER’S JOURNAL
It’s a few days until Daisy’s birthday. I went shopping for her the other day, and nothing was right. All the things I wanted to give her seemed too over the top or too intimate. In the end, I chose the latest-model sewing machine. It’s the one I’ve seen her drooling over on her phone, with all the bells and whistles that do who-knows-what. I also got her perfume, which perhaps crosses a line. But I couldn’t resist because it was called Daisy. It’s not because I like the idea of her wearing something I chose for her, every day.
