Sophia mutters, “How convenient.”
I step forward, unable to stay quiet anymore. “Sophia, what’s your actual concern here? Because it seems like you’re trying to talk April out of this space instead of leasing it to her.”
Sophia’s gaze flicks to me, then back to April. “I’m simply being realistic. Running a business—especially in retail—is challenging. I’d hate to see someone sign an agreement they can’t afford.”
“I can afford it,” April says quietly.
Sophia sniffs. “Can you? Because from what I understand, you’re a dog walker?—”
Stepping in, I say, “April is a certified professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant with contracts with a major pet brand and a campaign with one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the region. So yeah, she can afford it.”
If not, I can and I’d like to try to see Sophia stop me.
Sophia clicks her tongue. “I can’t help but wonder about the Love at First Wag campaign. Was that real or scripted?”
Juniper practically growls.
The WAGs are circling, creating a united front.
Sophia looks flustered for the first time. “I didn’t mean to suggest?—”
“Yes, you did,” Whit says pleasantly. “But here’s the thing, Sophia. We’re all on the same team here. The Cobbiton team. The Nebraska Knights team.”
“Hockey town!” Leah cheers.
Heidi adds, “The women supporting women team. So maybe instead of trying to discourage April, you could actually do your job and help her achieve her dream?”
There’s a long pause. Sophia, flushed, shifts uncomfortably.
“Please,” April says.
Then, surprisingly, Sophia’s expression softens. “You’re right,” she says quietly. “I apologize, April. That was unprofessional. I, um, sometimes forget that we’re not vying for top spoton the cheerleading squad. Let me start over. This space has incredible potential. The location is prime, the foot traffic is excellent, and with the right renovations, it could be exactly what you’re envisioning.”
April blinks, surprised. “Really?”
“Really. Now, let’s talk about the lease terms and what kind of timeline you’re looking at for build-out.”
The rest of the meeting goes relatively smoothly. April takes notes, asks questions, and I can see her confidence growing with every minute. This is her dream, and she’s so close to making it real.
When Sophia finally leaves—with a promise to send over the lease documents by the end of the day—the WAGs erupt in celebration.
“You’re getting your shop!” Ella squeals, pulling April into a hug.
“We don’t know that yet?—”
“You’re getting it,” Margo says firmly. “I can feel it.”
I hang back, watching April smile with her friends. She’s glowing with excitement as they build her up.
Even though it turns out Jess’s uncle didn’t look at the building specs, he will, but we all know that Sophia was making that up, anyway. Also, Cara volunteered her sister’s husband, but the electrical work will be minimal. Sophia was just blowing a lot of hot air.
When everyone starts to leave, heading back to their respective lives, April turns to me with a worried expression again.
“What if I can’t afford it?” she asks quietly. “The lease payment is higher than I thought. And the renovations—even with everyone’s help—are going to be expensive.”
“The Love at First Wag payment will cover a lot of it.”
“But not all of it and then I’m in debt with the bank and what if the business doesn’t take off right away? What if?—?”
