There was a round of applause.
“Fantastic,” the host said, clapping.
All the noise was starting to give Grant a headache.
“And this is something personal to you, because you also adopted a stray that was dumped on the side of the road, correct?”
“Yes,” Grant said.
The camera cut to a shot of Gus in the green room. He looked up from his snack and wagged his tail at the camera.
There was a chorus ofawwsfrom the audience.
“Just when you thought he couldn’t be any better, ladies!” the host said. “America’s most eligible bachelor!”
“Nicely done,” Kate told him when he left the stage.
She was still in her professional mode. She whipped out her tablet and showed him the rest of the schedule. Five more appearances including another morning show, several daytime shows, and filming for the evening comedy shows and late-night shows.
His next appearance was across the street, and afterward, he and Kate trekked several blocks over to yet another studio for a daytime-talk-show appearance. There was more fawning, Grant plugged his father’s foundation, and Gus mugged for the camera.
In a lull between appearances, Kate made him take off his pants so she could starch them. As he stood around in his shirt stays, his phone rang, and he stepped out of the room to take the call. It was his father.
“Excellent job,” he said. “So you actually are seriously considering coming to work for me?”
“That’s what Kate said you wanted.”
“What doyouwant?”
Grant knew what he wanted. He wanted Kate, and if working for his father was the way to win her, then that was what he would do. She probably wanted a respectable businessman who could be a good provider. He was going to properly court her—take her out for nice dinners, expensive drinks. He was going to impress her, not just fuck her in secret in her father’s house. He grimaced. He had moved too fast, and he hoped he hadn’t ruined his chance with her.
“Are you still there?”
“Yes,” Grant replied.
“I would love to have you work with me. To avoid claims of nepotism, you will need to submit a resume and cover letter and come in for interviews. Kate can help you. We have a junior sales associate position open, and Kate knows what the VP of sales is going to be looking for.”
Grant felt his heart sing at the prospect of spending more one-on-one time with Kate.
“If it doesn’t work out, there’s always the foundation. I love your idea, by the way. It’s simple but popular. Who doesn’t love dogs and vets? I’m glad to see you embracing this new life, Grant. I’m really proud to call you my son.”
“Thank you,” Grant said. “That means a lot.”
After the last of the interviews was over, Grant was looking forward to getting out of the itchy wool uniform and going to bed, ideally with Kate, if he could talk her into it. But instead, they headed the opposite direction from home.
Nancy and Kate’s grandmother were hosting a party for him at Walter’s penthouse condo. Grant tried to look grateful when they stepped off the elevator and walked through the open door. He saw all the decorations and flowers and the caterers running around, trying to put the last few details in place.
“I know you’ve had a long day,” Nancy said sympathetically, “but this is a weeknight. People won’t stay too long.”
Grant nodded and resigned himself. He wasn’t allowed to walk and hold a plate or a cup while in his uniform, so he tried to ignore the hunger pangs while the food was passed around. He hoped they saved some for him.
He watched Kate move effortlessly through the room. His father had several higher-ups from Holbrook Enterprises present. Grant shook hands with them when he was introduced.
“I see you’ve turned over a new leaf,” a man said.
Grant didn’t recognize him.
“This is the VP of sales. Martin,” his father said, introducing him.
