Antonio leaned against the arm of Jackie’s sofa. “Why not?”
“You’re a liar. A masterful liar. And I’ll be damned if I work with such a dishonest person.”
Antonio swallowed. Jackie watched the muscles in his neck tense, then relax. “Jackie, listen. You’ve had this story in your head about me for ten years, and I need to set the record straight. I don’t know what you think happened that day, but—”
Just then, Jackie’s cell phone rang. It was PeeWee’s doggy daycare. They never called, given that PeeWee pretty much slept and snacked all day.
Jackie answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Hi Ms. Miles. It’s Anita from Poochie Paradise. Thank God you picked up!”
Jackie could hear worry in the woman’s voice. “What is it? What’s wrong with PeeWee?”
“Ms. Miles. You need to come quickly. I’m so sorry to tell you this, but something is seriously off with PeeWee. The on-call vet is here, and well, it’s not looking good.”
Jackie’s throat felt tight, and tears began to prick her eyes. “Okay, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I’m going to call you again when I get to the car.” She hung up the phone. Oh God, not her baby. Not her PeeWee.
She felt as if she might pass out. Antonio was suddenly close to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Jack, what’s wrong?”
Her hands shook as she held the phone. “I…I’ve gotta go. It’s PeeWee.” Tears rolled down Jackie’s face as she reached for her jacket and purse.
When she faced Antonio again, he pulled her into his arms. She let him, melting as she inhaled his scent. In that moment, she was thankful he hadn’t changed his cologne. It was soothing. She took a deep breath and enjoyed the feeling of safety, nestling against his hard, broad chest. He was a little thicker in the stomach now, its softness a pleasant contrast. He pulled back, wiping a tear from her cheek. “It’s going to be alright, Lucky. Go take care of your fur baby.”
Jackie nodded. She was too wrecked to even fuss at him for the slipup. “Okay,” she softly replied.
With that, Jackie found the strength to release herself from the warmth and comfort of Antonio’s arms. She hurried toward the elevators, then the parking deck. In her Range Rover, she exhaled, said a prayer, and floored it all the way to Poochie Paradise.
CHAPTER 10
Jackie’s leg bounced incessantly as she sat in the waiting room of Inman Park Animal Hospital. She’d texted Tanika and Bronwyn to let them know about PeeWee, but Tanika was held up at a staff meeting, and Bronwyn was talking to a distributor. They’d both promised to meet her at the hospital as soon as they were done.
Jackie knew that pet parents got a bad rap, especially those without human children. Some people thought it was weird to be so emotionally attached to an animal. But PeeWee was more than just a dog. He was her best friend—the one male in her life that she could count on.
Well, one of three if she included Uncle Roydell and Gideon. Uncle Roydell, who was more delightful annoyance than wayward relative, was like a second father to her. A Vietnam veteran, it was he who had suggested she get a dog to keep her company. His service dog, Cato, had helped him through some tough times.
So, Jackie had taken his advice. She’d gotten PeeWee as a puppy during a rough point of her life. Her father had died, she and her mother were still at odds, mostly over the remainder of his estate, and she was lost. As soon as she saw PeeWee’s sweet puppy face, she fell in love. Her mother had never allowed her to have a pet, so perhaps deep down, getting PeeWee had been the final “fuck you” to her mother. He’d healed something broken in her. For that he’d earned her undying love and devotion.
“Ms. Miles?” called out a veterinary technician near the front desk. “Jackie Miles?”
Jackie rushed over. “Yes, I’m Jackie.”
