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Now, twenty-five thousand dollars of debt is not that much for a lot of businesses. EastSide carries more than that. But we have backers and steady income.
From the looks of Pawsh Pets, that’s not so much the case.
Holy crap. She’s dealing with this, on top of threats from the developer. I don’t blame her for being down in the dumps. Hell, I would be too.
I want to help. I’m not sure how I can, but I know I have to proceed carefully. Livvy is proud, and I know what that’s like. I’ve been down on my luck before, myself, and the last thing I wanted when I was there was any pity.
When I was a kid and word got out my dad had split and that my mom and I were just squeaking by, I swear that every look I got, from my friends’ parents to the teachers at school, was the same every time they saw me.
Poor Owen,it screamed from a mile away.
I can’t do the same to Livvy.
I playfully nudge her. “C’mon. Say you’ll come by. Someone’s got to tell us how that new cocktail is, because I sure as hell am not gonna try it.”
She laugh-snorts, which I count as a major victory. “Yeah. Okay. But only for one drink.”
I kiss her temple just because I feel like it, and head for the door.
Enzo told us what happened between him and Livvy. I can’t say I’m not jealous. And that’s not only because he got to ravish her, it’s also because he just got to spend a shitload of time with her, one-on-one.
But hey, if it’s meant to be, I’ll have my chance too. And if she’s not down with it, I’m okay with that.
“Owen, before you go, there’s one thing I’ve been meaning to bring up.”
Her tone perks up a bit. Is the old Livvy back?
“Yeah? What’s up, beautiful?”
She looks down at her hands for a moment, then raises her gaze. “When Bartlett was here, he said something that confused me.”
I walk back up to the counter. “What’s that?”
Her eyebrows draw together, creating the cutest wrinkles on her forehead. “He said something about being aware of the developer’s plans long before he let me know. He said you were aware of them too.”
Oh. That.
I shuffle my feet and my mouth gets dry.
I’ve wondered if this was going to come out.
And when.
“I… I did know something early on. I didn’t know much, though.”
Fuck, that sounds lame.
She half-laughs. “Um, well, there isn’t much to know. I mean, either the developer wants to take over or doesn’t. But you kept that to yourself. Didn’t share it with me. I had to come to you guys.”
“Listen, Livvy, I wanted to tell you, but we were all just getting to know you and things kind of took on a life of their own.”
She crosses her arms and, if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.
Can’t say I blame her.
And now I’m the biggest dick in the world.
“Look, I heard what sounded like a rumor. I didn’t think it was true until you confirmed it. I felt like an idiot for not taking it more seriously, and I didn’t speak up. I wasn’t trying to pull anything over on you. Really.”
