The moment stretches between us, cameras forgotten. Our practice kiss drifts into my awareness and I wonder what it would be like if it weren’t practice, but really real. Then Sandra appears again.
“The local news wants to do a quick interview. Follow me!”
We’re ushered to a small tent where a reporter with coiffed hair and blindingly white teeth waits with a cameraman.
“Clark Culpepper and April Hansen,” she says warmly. “Thank you for joining us. I’m Abigail from Channel Nine. Just a few quick questions about your involvement with Love at First Wag.”
The interview starts simply enough with us talking about the charity, about the importance of pet adoption, and about how we both grew up with dogs—my mother had a King Charles Springer Spaniel, but she was treated like a queen. Definitely the favorite child.
Then Abigail leans forward. “And you two are a couple? How long have you been together?”
“On and off for years,” Clark says smoothly, his arm sliding around my shoulders.
I flinch at first because this truly is the stuff dreams are made of and then remember my cue to lean into it. “We’ve been friends since high school.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” She makes a few inquiries about his hockey career, then asks, “With such a demanding schedule, what made you finally take that step from friends to more?”
I freeze. We didn’t plan for this question.
Clark’s arm tightens slightly around me. His gaze fixes on mine and he doesn’t waver as he answers. “I think we both realized that what we had was too special to keep ignoring. Sometimes the best relationships start with friendship.”
“That’s so sweet. April, what’s your favorite thing about Clark?”
My brain short-circuits. I’m supposed to say something cute and media-friendly. Instead, the truth tumbles out. “He makes me laugh even on my worst days. He remembers little things, like how I like my coffee or which flowers are my favorite. And he has the biggest heart—he can’t say no to a dog or a friend in need.”
Clark’s gaze hasn’t left me, but now he’s staring, eyebrows canted, lips parted slightly.
Abigail beams. “And Clark, what about April?”
“Everything,” he says softly, still looking at me. “I love everything about her.”
The reporter makes a delighted sound. “You two are adorable. One last question: any big plans for the future?”
“Spending time with Clark’s dogs.”
Abigail tilts her head, a question on her lips.
I instantly realize my faux pas. I should have saidOur dogssince we’re supposed to be a couple. “I mean that I just enjoy being with Clark and the dogs.”
“With our dogs,” Clark adds as if trying to hastily apply a suture to the situation.
I wince.
“Well, you’re certainly an inspiration for anyone looking for love.” The reporter turns to the camera. “This is Abigail Chen, reporting from the Love at First Wag adoption event. They’re accepting donations and there are still more than a few cats and dogs here waiting for their forever homes. Come say hello and tell them Channel Nine sent you. Back to Cooper in the studio.”
The camera light goes off, and Sandra rushes over.
“That was perfect! You two are adorable. My husband is part of the Knights’ Nation and we never miss a game. I have toadmit that I prefer following the players’ lives rather than the puck. I know how much you support our cause. When I saw you on the kiss cam, I told myself, I have to take this to the board. Thank you.”
I falter because it wasn’t perfect, it was fake and I feel like my heart is going to be left yearning just like Lulu, the little beagle mix.
14
APRIL
A few hours later,after the conclusion of the adoption event, Clark, the pack, and I walk back to the car, loaded down with Love at First Wag merchandise and having committed to three more public appearances. He holds my hand, then he winks.
Is it an acknowledgment of our fake little secret? Like we just left the history classroom and fibbed about our progress on our Magna Carta report? Yes, that happened and I didn’t feel good about lying. I don’t now either.
