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She hums, smiling. "It does, doesn't it?" She pushes off the wall, turning toward the offices, and I fall in step with her. "I'm glad you were able to pitch in last night. Bree loves playing, and it would have killed her to forfeit."
I smirk at her. "Forfeit. Careful Cara. You might make me think you know what you're talking about."
She gives me a deadpan look. "You have no idea. I finished raising her. I can't count how many nights I spent at softball games, soccer games, volleyball games. It changed when she got older, but you think I didn't get a call to fill in last night too? I was the first dude."
My mouth drops open, and she laughs again, a rich throaty one that makes me think of a bombshell blonde from the movies. It never occurred to me that Cara was sporty. Of course she's been to games. We've already established that she's basically Bree's mom, at least in all the ways that count. Of course she's sporty. She has to be.
"I already know you're killer with a bat." I say, immediately wishing I could call the words back. Cara's mouth drops open and I wince. "Too soon?"
"For fuck's sake Nick, yes, it's too soon."
"Right. Sorry," I mutter.
I catch her smile as she walks away, though.
As soon as I climb into the truck, shutting the door against the cold win, I punch the address into my phone, laughing when it pops up with the business name. Now I'm even more excited about tonight. Seeing Bree was enough, but where we're meeting? Cherry on top. To be honest, I don't remember much about my first visit. Way too much whiskey. I do remember a blur of tongues, soft eyes, and silky hair.
I pull up in front of LOL (Lots of Love) Animal Shelter, and cut the engine. The building looks better than I remember. There's a fresh coat of white paint, and a new logo in the window. Maybe thanks to our money.
When Janey suggested we donate to the shelter, we didn't have a problem with it, but we didn't expect we'd be coming down in person to make the donation. Or that we'd all be coming down completely shit faced. The dogs didn't care, and from what I remember, the owner of the shelter didn't seem at all bothered by our behavior. Odd woman, that one, the kind of odd that makes you go 'huh', then enjoy every minute with them. Janey's like that. So is Becca. I guess we have a type.
An actual bell mounted above the door tinkles when I walk in. I don't think I've ever seen one outside of the movies. I scan the space, the echoes of dog's barking tickling my ears. A woman pushes through the door from the back, smiling when she sees me. I smile back. It's impossible not to. Her blonde hair is sticking out wildly from her head. She's wearing a white t-shirt with the shelter's logo on the front, and black leggings covered in dog hair.
"I think I remember you," I say, studying her.
Her smile is wide and open. It's the kind of smile that draws you in and also makes you protective as hell. "I know I remember you. It's not everyday a bunch of drunk rich dudes are set loose in here. You guys left an impression."
I prop my hands on my hips and wince. "Yeah, shit. Sorry about that. We don't usually act...well that's not true either. We sometimes act like that. We can be a bit much." I'm understating it, I know. Anywhere we go, we attract attention. At first, maybe it's admiring looks, but often, by the end, people look more dazed and overwhelmed. We're a lot.
She shrugs, apparently unconcerned by our bad behavior. "Your money's doing a lot of good around here. So if you want to head to the back, lay on the floor again, and let one of the dogs lick your entire face, you go for it."
"I didn't actually..." Shit. I did. I definitely did that. Pretty sure I let more than one lick me hairline to chest. I'll never admit it, but it was kinda enjoyable. It must have been, to make me roll to the next cage and let another dog do it too. Heat creeps into my face. "I'm sorry. Again. Really sorry."
She laughs again and wipes her palm on her pants before extending it to me. "I'm Cadence. This is my place. Nice to see you again...."
I take her hand, shaking gently. "Nick. Nice to see you too, Cadence."
She takes her hand back and checks her watch, moving to the front doors to lock up.
"Wait...I'm expecting someone. Maybe she's running late?"
She raises an eyebrow, unlocks the door, and peers out. "Who are you waiting for? Are you here to adopt? I have a pretty rigorous process for adoptees. There's paperwork and home checks."
"Ah, no, I'm not here to adopt." Though that's not a bad idea. Zach doesn't share his sweet little girl very much. "My friend asked me to meet her here."
Cadence smiles and stares at me. I smile back because what else am I supposed to do? Finally she breaks into full out giggles.
"Care to tell me who you're waiting for?"
"Oh! Yeah, Bree. Her name is Bree."
Cadence's face lights up. "I love her so much. She has her own key, she'll let herself in when she gets here. In the meantime, I could use some help with chores."
She has her own key? How did I not know she comes here that often? "Of course I'll help. I would never turn down a damsel in distress."
She snorts and waves me into the back, laughing to herself and muttering 'damsel' over and over. The noise level goes from a four to a twenty when we push through the doors. Cadence seems unbothered, leading me to a small room in the back. It's basic, a simple countertop and sink with shelves and shelves packed with dog food. She hands me a can opener, and a giant stack of cans, and I get to work. I may not know how to cook, but I'm fucking awesome at opening cans.
Meanwhile, she lays out enough bowls to cover the long counter, scooping dry food into each bowl. Some of the bowls have a little, others a lot. She takes the cans from me one by one, scooping a smaller amount on top of each bowl, and then doing only canned in others.
