“I’d love to.” Sawyer stands, turns to Captain, who’s parked dutifully in the middle of the floor, and says, “Take a bow.”
Captain lowers his front legs in a little curtsy.
The producer claps. Linus cheers.
“Captain, touch,” Sawyer says, and Captain gently noses Sawyer’s hand. It’s sweet and fills my chest with warmth, and I dare anyone not to feel their heart grow.
I turn to Linus next, suspecting he’ll love this—and it can’t hurt to have the mayor on my side. “Could I use a couple of your hats?”
His eyes light up. “Of course!”
He scrambles to the coat hook and grabs a newsboy cap, a fedora, and a gangster-style hat. He sets them on his desk.
I take over the commands now. “Pick a hat,” I say to Captain.
Captain trots over, nudges the fedora, picks it up, and pops it onto his head. Linus’s jaw drops. Sawyer smothers a smile. Alexandra purses her lips. She has the poker-est poker face ever.
“I can teach any of the dogs on the show those tricks or anything like that. And I could even teach Jubilee all of those today if you’d like,” I say, the spirit of confidence flowing through me.Walk in like you’re the one they should be pitching to.
The producer strokes Jubilee’s head. The little princess basks in the adoration. “I’m sure she could learn them in five minutes,” she says, a little snooty.
“I have no doubt,” I say, since it’s important to be, well, a little obsequious with the star. “She’s as brilliant as she is beautiful.”
“She is. It was such a coup when we cast her,” Alexandra says, clearly adoring the dog—and the win. She draws in an imperious breath. “Now, tell me why I should work with youandshoot the scenes at Dog Tails.”
It’s his turn now. My stomach jumps.
But Sawyer looks unflappable, cool, and so professional as hemeets her eyes. “I’ve been studying your production company and the work you do. Your shows have been incredibly successful. I understand you always come in on budget. The actors speak highly of you. You’ve earned their respect and the respect of this industry.”
How does he know that? Why didn’t I think to research that?
“They do,” she says, a note of pride in her voice.
“Efficiency matters in any business,” he continues. “Especially entertainment, where it’s easy to overspend. If you shoot at our daycare, you’ll have space that needs no additional build-out and staff who know what they’re doing. And I presume you’ll need access to plenty of dogs for extras.” He nods to me. “Chloe can handle the script breakdowns and train your supporting actors. I can provide signed talent waivers from daycare clients so their dogs can be used as extras, and paid for their time, but with no additional fee for my time, of course. You get well-behaved animals, and your production stays on track. On time. On budget.” He takes a beat, then delivers his closing line. “Without pulling focus from Jubilee.”
The producer nods slowly. “Interesting. Very interesting. Dog extras.” She turns to Linus. “Thank you for setting this up.” Then she whips her gaze back to us. “We’ll be in touch.”
That’s all she says, and I have no idea how to interpret that. None. I just hope she wasn’t as turned on by Sawyer’s speech as I was.
Efficiency? Talent waivers? Pulling focus?
Why was that hot? It wasn’t the other night at the bar when I pretended to snooze. But it was just now. Maybe seeing him in action made all that business-management stuff sexy. I don’t even know. But I know this—I might need to change my panties.
I gather Captain’s leash as Alexandra gives me a stony nod. “Thank you again,” I say.
One more nod, and I’ve been dismissed.
We stride through the lobby quietly. My brow knits as I try to take the temperature on that meeting. But I’m not getting a reading. Once we step outside, the doors swing open again behind us, and Linus races down the steps, wingtips flapping.
My heart skips. Clearly, he must’ve just been told we won the gig.
He stops, catching his breath. “Wow, that was quite a sprint. I mean, it was only ten feet, but sure.”
“Yes, it was,” Sawyer says.
“What’s going on?” I ask, desperately wanting to get to the good stuff. I hope he’s here with good stuff.
“I just wanted to say that was amazing. I’ve never been so proud of this town. I’d love to take the two of you out to dinner. Would you be available at seven?”
