Page 21 of Paw or Less


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She was starting to realize that she had avoided looking at her reflection because it allowed her to not deal with how she felt about herself.

Rhiannon jumped when she looked at the clock. Gerri would be there any minute.

She quickly twisted her hair into a loose chignon and swiped on some lip gloss. She couldn’t really wear much makeup because of her allergies.

Just then, a loud honking came from outside.

She grabbed her small gold clutch and slipped her phone inside it. Then she headed for the door.

Gerri was waiting for her in a dark town car. Rhiannon slid in as gently as she could. She really did not want to damage the delicacy of the dress.

“Hello, darling.” Gerri leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Are you ready for today?”

Gerri wore a red power suit, and her white hair was slicked down with gel.

Don’t think about him now. Just focus on today.

“Of course I am.” She put on her best smile.

“Great.” Gerri almost purred the word. “And how was your date with Mars Casey?”

“It was good,” she spoke honestly. “Though I don’t think anything long-term will work out between us. He was … nice, though.”

“Why do you think that? Is it because of the shelter project?” Gerri continued. “There isn’t any conflict of interest now that the lease has been signed.”

Rhiannon remained quiet while she sorted out her thoughts. “I just don’t think I’m comfortable dating someone like Mars Casey.” She finally managed to articulate her thoughts. “He is rich and famous and used to dating the most beautiful women.”

Gerri snorted.

Rhiannon finished her thought quickly. “All I’m saying is that he is rich and accomplished, and I don’t fit into that style of life. He has thousands of other options. He can’t possibly want me.”

Gerri didn’t hide the rolling of her eyes.

“Don’t be an idiot, darling,” Gerri said firmly. “First, you’re fucking stunning. Second, you’re one of the most accomplished women I know. Mars Casey would be lucky to have you.”

Suddenly, Rhiannon was thrust back to that moment in front of the mirror. That moment where she was a goddess dripping with gold.

“Just don’t be close-minded. And if you see him again, come up with a peace offering. I’m sure you won’t regret it.” Gerri smiled cheekily as they pulled up in front of the venue for the press announcement, a block away from the shelter. It was in an old brewery turned gallery.

Her breath caught in her throat when she stepped out of the car.

Mars stood with his back to the front of the entrance at one of the windows. Lenard was with him, and they were both laughing.

Gerri’s cheeky smile made sense.

However, before she could even think about Mars, Ellyn came up to her and guided her to the podium.

Chairs had been set up on a stage, and she sat in one. As she looked around, she was glad to see she wasn’t overdressed.

And with that, Ellyn and Jackie introduced her and everyone on the stage. The woman who would be running the shelter project, Jennifer, sat next to her.

They smiled warmly at one another, and then the questions started.

The questions from the press and locals lasted at least an hour. Rhiannon found herself becoming engaged with each question as her passion for the project was stirred.

“You see,” she said as they closed out the session. “The women we’ll be housing have nothing and no one … except for their community. And throughout the work I have done, the one thing I have noticed is that the poor lack the resources for maintaining their dignity.”

The people in the room murmured their agreement.

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