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“What the hell have you done to my dog?”
I beam. “Doesn’t he look fabulous?” I lead Brutus in a small circle so he gets the full effect.
“That’s not the word I’m thinking of. Fucking ridiculous is more like it. You gave mymaledog a rainbow-colored, leopard-printed tramp stamp.”
In an instant, I go from smiling to scowling. “Sexist much? And it’s not a tramp stamp.” I huff. “It’s a band of rainbow-colored leopard print on his lower back, as you requested.”
“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I dropped my dog off earlier to have a bath and get his nails trimmed. Not to—” At a loss for words, he waves his hands around.
Realizing he’s serious, I frown. “Oh.”
“Is that all you have to say? You don’t have any idea how this happened?”
“No, but I’ll see if I can figure it out.” I hand off Brutus’s leash and scurry back behind the counter. Tapping the keyboard, I pull up today’s schedule on the screen and read over all the notes next to each appointment. Sure enough, next to Brutus’s name it says bathe and trim nails. My stomach flips.I’m going to get fired. Fuck you, universe.I’ve had enough of this shitty day.
“It seems like there’s been a mistake,” I say.
“Ya think?” Sarcasm drips from him.
I meet his displeased gaze. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure how this happened.”
“I’d like an idea of how it did,” he snaps.
“I must’ve gotten my orders mixed up.” I know it’s not the answer he’s looking for but it’s all I’ve got.
“Ya think?” he repeats. His condescending tone reminds me of my father. Which reminds me of my all too many shortcomings that he points out any chance he gets and my eyes sting from the urge to cry.
Frustrated, I slap the counter with my palm. “Stop saying that.” And then, to my horror, I burst into tears.
Brutus lets out a whine while his owner stands there frozen in shock.
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on the counter and cover my face with my hands. Whatever it is that’s causing me to be so emotional, there’s no way to stop the deluge of tears. They just keep flowing.
A large hand awkwardly pats my back. “It’s okay.” Pat, pat. “You can stop crying now.” Pat, pat.
Ugly, snotty crying face be damned, my head pops up. “I… can’t… flip a… switch… and… stop.” Chest shuddering, I suck in a shaky breath. “That’s… not how… it works.”
Brutus leans into my leg, offering his own brand of silent comfort, while his owner couldn’t look more uncomfortable. He’s obviously at a loss when it comes to crying women.
Watching me, he tugs on his earlobe. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“It wasn’t just you. I’m having a shitty day of epic proportions. I’m sorry you had to witness this mess.” I point at my tear-streaked face.
Smiling, he plucks a tissue from the box on the counter and hands it to me. “You might want to use this.”
“Thanks.” Dragging in a shaky breath, I swipe at the makeup that’s sure to be streaking down my face. Crumpling up the tissue, I toss it in the small trash can under the counter. “I’m really sorry about Brutus’s grooming mix-up. I’ll pay for it myself.”I don’t know how, but I will.
“That’s not necessary. I’ll pay for the services he got. It looks like a lot of time and effort went into that tramp stamp.” He winks and, for the first time, I notice how handsome he is.
But I’m not one to be swayed so easily. I cock an eyebrow at him.
He grins. “Sorry. Too soon?”
“Maybe.” Returning my attention to the screen, I tally up the total, then hesitate to tell him the amount. Is he going to flip out over what I consider to be an exorbitant amount of money? I wouldn’t pay this much to have my own hair done, never mind my dog’s. I mean, if I had a dog.
“What do I owe you?” he asks, putting an end to my stalling.
“F-f-five hundred dollars.” I stutter for the first time in my life, then hold my breath, awaiting the explosion ofwhat the fuckthat’s sure to come.
