New York City.
Try finding us here, Wayne.
Wayne. Not dad. Fathers don’t behave the way mine did.
So, it’s just Wayne.
The voices from the front desk grow louder, and Wendy and I look up at the empty doorway like that will tell us all we need to know.
“I’m sorry, sir. We are at full capacity,” Kelvin says. “We’d take her back in a heartbeat, but we just don’t have the room.”
“Nor do I. She can’t stay at work with us, it’s not appropriate.”
Not appropriate?
Um, take her home . . .
What kind of black-hearted demon refers to a pup’s existence asnot appropriate? Urgh, I hate those suit types. Probably adopted the pup for aesthetics or to pick up women, and just now realized they are a living, breathing, gorgeous, wonderful companion.
You suck, mister.
I slump in my chair and pick at the cupcake as Kelvin comes back in, wiping his brow dramatically. “Oh, ladies. He was?—”
“A fucking ass,” I snap out. “Who was he trying to return?”
“Petal.”
I sit up, brows dipping. Oh, that’s odd.
“But Petal was fostered, pending adoption, to a lady. One of the teachers at Memorial State.”
“She was. He said she freaked and left her with him... But after some of my finest fandangled negotiations, he agreed to take her home for a week or so. Until we have room.”
“Poor Petal.”
Kelvin pats my hand and winks.
“Oh, I think she’ll be okay.”
“How do you know that?” Wendy pipes up now, wiping the icing from her pursed lips with a napkin like a gentlewoman straight out ofBridgerton.
“Have a feeling, is all. Don’t question the vibes, ladies.” He potters around the table, clearing up, and I rise to help, liftingthe tray of cupcakes. A sly wink comes my way, and I give him the most playful side-eye I can muster up.
“Ah, no, babes. Your party—you donotneed to clean up.” Kelvin kisses my cheek before he swats my ass.
“You are such a brat,” I breathe, and continue to clean up anyway.
He chuckles as he cleans, humming the tune to “Girl on Fire.”
Very funny, Kels.
Running the water to wash up, I make quick work of the mugs and plates before heading out the back to the kennel area to do my rounds.
Two long rows of secure kennel cages flank the long space. The small dogs are on one side, and the medium and larger dogs on the other. For whatever reason, some people don’t think about the responsibility of dog ownership before they bring one home.
It makes me so angry, every time.
I resist the urge to rant.
