Page 12

I lifted my luggage and guitar off the moving belt. Now both hands were occupied, and I had to hold my phone to my ear with my shoulder. I needed to get through customs and catch an Uber to my hotel, which meant I should probably hang up. But instead I wandered over to the bench just inside the entrance to baggage claim and sat down, setting my guitar case on the seat next to me.

“Hmm…” she said, sounding bored now. “Everyone’s in the business here.”

She didn’t press me for more about the movie. She seemed uninterested. I was a little surprised. All Monique had cared about when I first met her was who I was and who I knew. Come to think of it, I’m not sure that ever really changed. It was refreshing to talk to someone who didn’t give a shit what I could do for their career. Frankly, I was a little sick of talking about it.

I switched the subject. “And what do you do?”

“Nothing interesting,” she said vaguely.

“How do you know I won’t think it’s interesting? You work from home and you have the time to walk five miles a day and rescue stray dogs. I’d like to know what gives you such a flexible schedule. You know, to gauge whether or not your lifestyle is conducive to dog-sitting.”

She made a noise that I imagined went with an eye roll. “I’m an artist.”

“And how is that uninteresting?”

“It just is. What I paint is uninteresting.”

“Then why paint it? Can’t you paint what you want?” I put my ankle over my knee and leaned back on the bench.

The running water shut off in the background, and she went quiet for a moment.

“What’s your website?” I asked, feeling pretty sure she wasn’t going to give it to me, but figuring I should give it a shot.

“I don’t have a website. And if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you.”

I smiled. “You’re consistent. I like that in a dog-sitter.” Then I looked at my watch. “I need to get going here.”

“Okay. Well, have a good trip, I guess.”

“Sloan? Thank you. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you rescued Tucker and took such good care of him. And I really appreciate you watching him until I get back.”

She was quiet for a moment. “Thank you for saying thank you,” she said finally.

My lips twisted into a sideways smile. “We’ll be in touch.”