Now, next to them, the most important person in my life was Rya Harlow, my best friend.We’d met on my first day at Precious Pets, and while all the other females had been treating me like the new boy in school, Rya had immediately taken me under her wing, showing me around and basically training me when everyone else had been too busy being...curious.
It’d also been easy to see how wonderful she was, and we had clicked seamlessly, and if it ever came down to a choice between cutting off my arm or losing her friendship, I’d slice that motherfucker right off and make her take care of me for the rest of my life.While I’d never been in love, I loved Rya Harlow like she was my blood, and there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for that girl.
The only dark cloud in my life was Leandra Rollins, Rya’s other best friend.Leandra worked with us at Precious Pets, and for some reason that I couldn’t fathom, Rya swore that there was more to Leandra than met the eye, only I’d yet to see it.
Unlike Rya with her wild auburn hair, sweet green eyes, pretty face, and five-three thick figure, Leandra was the complete opposite.She was five-foot-five and had light blonde hair, expressive blue eyes, a face that boasted of doll-like perfection, and that wasn’t even to mention her body.Leandra Rollins was the epitome of a pin-up girl, and she oozed sensuality without even trying.Whenever she walked into a room, every man noticed, and she soaked it up like most conceited blondes.
“You know, we’re celebrating a friend’s birthday tomorrow night,” my client stated randomly.“You should come.”
Now, normally, I didn’t get friendly with my clients like that, but Gary’s been coming to me for years now, and he seemed like a cool enough guy, though we’d never hung out before.
“Yeah, where?”
“We reserved a room at Rooftop...you know, over on Goshen,” he answered.“It should be a good time.”
Most evenings, I stayed home and read or watched whatever game was on television.While I wasn’t a die-hard fan of any particular team, I liked the competitiveness of sports, so I enjoyed watching them all.As for my choice in reading material, I liked thrillers and mysteries, and when I was feeling particularly in a bad mood, my secret guilty pleasure was Darynda Jones’ Grave series.
However, I couldn’t remember the last time that I’d gotten laid, and I was due.I was also as single as a one-dollar bill, and I had no desire to change my status just yet.I was only twenty-seven, so I wasn’t in a hurry to get serious too soon.I also didn’t have a ticking biological clock, and while I liked kids, they weren’t a deal breaker for me either way.
“What time?”I asked as I continued shading in the dragon tail of a piece that was taking up his entire left calf.
“It starts about eight, but it won’t be deep in until around ten or so,” he said before letting out a low hiss.“You should come.Seriously, it’ll be fun.”
“Sure,” I agreed casually.“I’ve got nothing going on.”
After a few seconds, he said, “Man, I have to take a piss.”
“Dude.”
“I know, I know,” he quickly rushed out.
“It’s going to hurt like a bitch if you don’t hurry back,” I warned him.
Gary quickly jumped off the table, then raced towards the bathroom, already knowing where it was since he was a regular.He also wasn’t a stranger to distraction, and if he wasn’t so easygoing and personable, he’d get on my nerves for the constant interruptions.
Nevertheless, as I waited for him to take a piss, my phone chimed, and when I grabbed my phone off the counter of my workstation, I saw Rya’s name.
Rya:Drinks @ DH Thursday?
The Dollhouse was a bar that was famous for its creepy décor.The owner had a thing for old and broken dolls, and so it was decorated like a haunted Victorian home.The place really was creepy as hell, but it served cold beer, had quality pool tables, and that’s what me and Rya liked.We were pool fanatics, and we tended to ignore everyone else around us when we were in the zone.
Me:Sure
Not five seconds later, Leandra replied to the group text, and I could only hope that Rya’s boyfriend, Koen Wilder, was also going to join us.Everything was fine when it was just me and Rya, but Leandra always seemed to throw the balance off.So, with Koen there, that might help.
Blondie:I’m in
“Sorry about that, man,” Gary said as he hopped back onto the table.
“It’s not my leg that’s going to be singing in pain,” I pointed out right before getting back to work.
Chapter 3
Leandra~
I had a sweet grey kitten that was still getting used to baths, but he was being a good little guy.A couple had found him on the side of the road last week, and after taking him to the vet, then deciding to adopt him, they’d decided to pamper him to make up for being abandoned on the side of the road.
Now, this was my favorite part of the job.While I had regular customers who asked for me specifically, the rescues were the most rewarding, and I knew that I wasn’t the only one who felt like that.There was just something special about helping a broken animal heal, and they were definitely more grateful for the help than people were.
