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Some cattiness inside me is stirring.
I don’t want to feel jealous right now, but I do.
As I file away the tip about the dog-walking opportunity, some other part of me is still hooked on the bit about how Vanessa and Clarice are close.
Mandy goes on. “Actually, she’s really interesting to talk with. Maybe she’d be good to work for, too, even though it’d be a long drive to get over to Riley twice a day. But if you stacked some other dog-walking gigs in that area, it might work out. You could ask her if she has any other friends who need pet visits. She knows everyone over there. You know, I thought she was such a ditz because of how desperate she acted about Brock, but she’s actually very sharp. She gave me all sorts of business tips ‘cause I told her I’m thinking of starting my bakery over that way.”
I sip my coffee, still lost in my own thoughts—and my curiosity.
Did Brock know about Vanessa’s connection to Fit For Life?
Mandy chats about bakeries in Riley and finally pauses for air.
“I didn’t realize Vanessa had anything to do with Fit For Life,” I murmur.
“What’s the big deal?” Clay asks. He’s reading me, as always. He can see I’m intrigued.
I shrug, still trying to sort it out. “I guess I’m just surprised Brock got involved with Vanessa at all, given that connection. I mean, he’s always been in competition with Fit For Life. I wonder if he knows Vanessa’s part of Clarice’s family.”
“I doubt it,” Mandy says as she primps the end of her hair again “She doesn’t have the same last name, and she keeps the connection quiet. I think it’s because Clarice has such a bad reputation around these parts. You know, for being nasty and rude. I heard once Clarice actually got a guy over at the Lakeshore Marina fired because of how he docked her boat. I guess he…”
She rattles off the gossipy story and then checks her watch. “Yikes! I’ve got to run. But you really should call Vanessa about the dog-walking. I think she’s looking to hire immediately.”
“Yeah, thanks. Maybe I will.”
My life is full of possibilities. I don’t need to work for Clarice Manning or Vanessa Von Kemp. There are plenty of other things I could do with my time.
And yet, I’m definitely intrigued.
I judged Vanessa as a ditz, and now I realize I got her all wrong.
I hate it when that happens.
Maybe I should give her a chance.
When Clay gets caught up in a chat with an elderly man at the table next to us, I take the opportunity to log into my social media account on my cell. I don’t have Vanessa’s contact information now that I ditched the sparkly pink phone. She’s easy to find on social, so I shoot her a message to inquire about the dog-walking gig.
Her response comes in faster than I expected. She wants to meet at the dog park in Riley at two o’clock.
‘My day’s wide open,’ I type. ‘I’ll be there.’
My life is really weird right now, so why not add one more weird thing? Meeting with a woman who dated Brock was not how I expected to spend my Saturday. And yet, the appointment now looms in my mind.
Chapter 21
Brock
There is a man on my doorstep.
He has shaggy brown hair and a beard that trails down to his chest. Gauged earrings. Tattoos down both arms, which are bare despite the fact it’s cold today.
He smells oddly salty. I sniff…
What is that?
The ocean.
He smells like the ocean. And, weirdest of all, he’s carrying a book.
