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I must have really fucked someone over in a past life. That’s all I can figure. Someone or something is getting even with me and laughing their ass off while doing it.
I go to my laptop and pull up the developer’s proposal so I can see it full-size and my stomach sinks further with every page I read. Crafty bastards. I can see their wrecking ball right now, all wrapped in a pretty bow, demolishing Pawsh Pets and along with it every dream I’ve ever had.
But the truth is,Imight manage to singlehandedly demolish Pawsh Pets before the developers even arrive. The stack of unpaid and overdue bills in my desk drawer is growing deeper, and I can’t avoid the inevitable for much longer.
I am sure Owen, Weston, and Enzo got the same email from the developer and are probably looking at it with the same contempt I am. How we can continue to fight these people without looking insanely unreasonable is beyond me. I let my fingers hover over the keyboard, unsure of what to type before I close it down for the night. I don’t need any more trouble and threatening these people with bodily harm will do no one any good, least of all me.
Next morning, I force myself to focus on Pawsh business rather than running over to EastSide to bitch about the latest developer development. I don’t need the guys next door to think I’m any more neurotic than I already am.
It doesn’t take long forthemto show up atmydoor.
Something about that feels good.
“We gotta talk,” Owen says.
“Guys, let’s go to the coffee shop down the street,” I say. “Jewel, will you hold down the fort?”
“Yes, Livvy,” she says, glaring at the guys.
I don’t know why she doesn’t like them.
“Can I get you anything?” Owen asks me when we arrive.
Yes, I want to say. But there are so many things I need right now, I wouldn’t know where to start.
“No thanks,” I say, my shoulders slumping.
Enzo throws a casual arm around me. “Oh, Livvy, don’t worry. We’ll get this all sorted.”
Maybe he’s right. Maybe we’ll get the business with the developers sorted.
What he doesn’t know is that’s not the end of my problems. In fact, it’s not even my biggest. No one knows Pawsh Pets is struggling financially. No one besides me and my creditors.
I consider my options for the hundredth time.
I could move out in the middle of the night like the shoe store across the street did. Leave New York, provide no forwarding address. Just disappear into the night.
I could let the guys buy me out like they offered weeks ago. Negotiate from their initial offer so I get a bit more payout and live off the proceeds while I figure out what to do next.
Or I could walk into a busy street and get hit by a cab.
Actually, scratch that. I’ve heard being hit by a car can be painful if you are not instantly killed.
Owen returns with three coffees for himself and the guys, and a heart-shaped sugar cookie for me.
“Awww,” I say. “A sweet treat.” I unwrap it and take a huge bite, offering to share it with no one. I need this cookie. Badly.
Weston puts his hands on the table. “Okay, everybody. I know this is not something any of you want to hear, but I think the developer’s offer is… not really that bad.”
I choke on a crumb and wish I’d let Owen bring me something to drink. I cough hard, patting my chest and dabbing my watering eyes, but no one notices.
They’re looking at Weston and he’s looking back at them. I could be bleeding out and I doubt they’d notice at this particular moment.
It’s good to know where I stand.
No one says anything for a moment, and then everyone talks at once.
“Are you fucking kidding…”
