AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Tell. Me. Now.” She purses her lips and narrows her eyes, like I’m supposed to be afraid.
Instead, I’m annoyed, and at the same time, tickled. I didn’t realize how much fun recounting the evening would be. I liked it, being with them. I’m not going to lie. I want it to happen again.
I sigh deeply, finally defeated. “I kissed Owen and Enzo. Wes was up in his office. And we did… other stuff.”
Thewoo-hoothat came out of Jewel’s mouth was probably heard down the street and even around the block. Harry got up from his perch and meowed at us before running into the closet.
I want to explain to Jewel it was just a silly whim, it meant nothing, and will never happen again. That I’d had one too many glasses of unfiltered, organic champagne, and that I’d be extra careful next time.
If there ever is a next time.
Those guys aren’t interested in me. I hold no promise or potential of being the better half of a New York ‘power couple.’ People who own shops like me don’t make it into the glamorous side of city life. For heaven’s sake, I wash dogs and express their anal glands.
I’m fine with that. I am perfectly happy with my lot in life—my little business, my little apartment, and my little circle of friends. I really, truly, do not want or need anything else.
That’s why the notion of losing Pawsh Pets has kept me up at night, led me to drinking one glass of champagne too many, and gave me the guts to mess around two gorgeous men, the likes of whom I am sure I’ll never kiss again.
I did it without thinking, with no concern for consequences, and I’d do it again if I had the chance.
20
LIVVY
By the timeJewel settles down, the smells of food cooking next door are pouring into Pawsh, flicking me with reminders of how gorgeous and sexy the bistro boys are. It’s like I’m walking down the street wanting to be left alone and some annoying person keeps tapping me on the shoulder, wanting my attention.
I don’t want to smell their food. I don’t want to be thinking of them.
Leave me alone!
I need to get it together. I know I have options. There are always options. I could sell a kidney. I mean, hell, I have two so can surely spare one. Or I could sell my soul, because at the end of all this, what will I need that for, anyway?
Whichever sells for the most on the black market, of course.
I slink back to my office, needing a moment. Pawsh Pets will be fine, I chant to myself. Hadn’t Jewel told me about one of her classes, the manifesting one on the law of attraction? I fish through my desk for the list of affirmations she gave me.
The universe conspires to give me everything I desire.
I am a magnet for wealth and abundance.
I believe in myself and my abilities.
There are more on the list, but I like these best and besides, I only have so much time for this stuff.
I sit for a moment, waiting for the universe to rain riches and other good things down on me before I realize it probably doesn’t happen this fast. No, I must be patient. It says so at the bottom of the instruction page.
The front bell tinkles and I stick my head out of the office.
Arthur’s here.
“Hey, honey,” he says to Jewel as they air kiss. “Damn, your hair looks fierce. Oh, to be your age again,” he sighs.
“Arthur!” I run to hug him, and he looks as surprised as I am. I’m not a hugger, but for some reason I really need one right now.
He clasps his hands together. “So,” he says playfully, “tell me everything. I know you’ve been to a couple parties next door. How’d they go?”
Jewel taps her chin with her finger. “First things first. Where wereyoulast night, Arthur? We missed you.”
He looks down and shuffles his feet. “I, um, well, I had a last-minute Grindr date. Sorry I missed the festivities. But you know I am a big supporter of Pawsh Pets.”
