I pressed my lips together. “I hate to ask you to do this, but I have a puppy emergency.”
“A cuteness emergency?” she asked, scratching Rudolph behind one floppy ear.
“I need someone to pet sit. I know it's—”
“I accept!” Holly squealed, snuggling Rudolph, since apparently this was my life now and I had a puppy named Rudolph.
“He needs food, a collar, a leash, and a bed probably. Here.” I pulled out my wallet and handed her my credit card. “Buy him whatever he needs.”
“I think Rudolph might need a new pair of Louboutins and a Coach bag!” she said, hugging the puppy.
“Honestly, if you keep him out of trouble, I'll overlook any shoes or jewelry he might require.”
*
The Svensson Investmenttower loomed in front of me. I squared my shoulders.
“How's our favorite puppy-owning CEO?” Walker said in greeting, clapping me on the shoulder. “Where's your new furchild?”
“Did Jack tell you?” I frowned.
“Dude, it is all over Twitter. It's trending!” he said gleefully, sticking his phone in my face. The comments under the picture ranged from wholesome to… less than wholesome.
“I think you've acquired like seven new stalkers,” Walker said, swiping through his phone as we went into the building to the elevators.
“I cannot afford to deal with that right now. Sloane is bad enough,” I complained as we rode up to the upper-level conference rooms with the million-dollar skyline view.
“Look on the bright side,” my COO said as we stepped off the elevator, “this is good publicity. Maybe it will help us edge out the Holbrooks. I know Kate definitely pimps photos of Grant and his chunky corgi on the Holbrook Enterprises Instagram account. This is going to be awesome!”
When we sat down in the conference room, however, Hunter and Greg, Walker's brothers, did not share his enthusiasm.
“I cannot believe you got a puppy while your company is in shambles,” Greg said, glaring at me.
So it was going to be that kind of meeting.
13
Holly
“All right, listen up!” Penny said, clapping her hands. Rudolph barked.
“He's the most adorable dog!” Fiona whispered to me. “His feet smell like pupperoni!”
“I should take him,” Amber whined. “Owen and I are practically dating. You promised you weren't going to get between us.”
“I'm not handing over Owen's dog to you!” I exclaimed.
“Girls!” Penny ordered. “Part of being in the bake-off is participating in creating digital content forVanity Rag. Now, we want all the viewers to learn a bit more about the contestants. The first episode is airing in a few days. We need a lot of content online. It is in your best interest to participate. Be charming! Feel free to talk about your endeavors. Also, if you have any ideas for content, I want to hear them.”
Penny motioned around the lobby. “Today, we're decorating for Christmas. Owen Frost and Walker Svensson have generously allocated money to add some festive cheer to the lobby. We are going to take some footage of you all talking about your ideas.”
“We should have a romantic Christmas theme,” Amber said, waving her arm. Dana Holbrook was surveying us, arms crossed, looking very chic in her pencil skirt and silk shirt. She directed one of the cameramen to follow Amber. Of course. Crazy people sell.
Amber took a deep breath, stepped in front of the camera, and then she was off.
“What these girls don't understand is that men like women who can bake and decorate and look sexy while they do it.” Amber hiked up her boobs. Morticia and I looked on in horror.
“I'm here to win the competition and to win Owen Frost. I know all these girls here, and some of them are trying to stealmy man!” Amber said, turning to screech at us. “But you won't get away with it! He and I are meant to be together. Everything I do, I do for him!”
