Page 13 of The Arrangement

She looks up, hope mingling with suspicion in her eyes. "Another way?" she echoes, searching my face for a sign of what I might be proposing.

"Yes," I confirm, stepping closer, the space between us charged with a new, unexplored tension. "We can figure out a solution. One that doesn't involve selling your shop."

Her eyes narrow. “Oh. Your other offer. I almost forgot.”

I open my mouth to speak, but before I can get even a word out, an employee—broad-shouldered, with an easy smile—interrupts my train of thought.

"Hey, are you a new client?" he asks, extending a hand. "I'm Ty, Tory's best friend and right-hand man around here."

For a split second, I'm on edge, but his demeanor is far from confrontational. Instead, he dives headfirst into what can only be described as an enthusiastic sales pitch.

"You've come to the right place if you’re looking for a place for your pet. She's the heart and soul of this place. Hardworking, passionate... she's incredible."

I raise an eyebrow, amused by the misunderstanding. "Is that so?"

Ty nods, leaning in as if sharing a well-known secret. "Absolutely. You won’t find a better place in the city.”

It's almost comical, how off the mark he is, believing my presence here to be of a personal nature. Yet, I play along, curious to see where this leads. "Really? She sounds remarkable."

"Yeah, and she's got a way with the dogs, and people, too. You're not gonna find anyone else like her," Ty continues.

Our conversation is suddenly cut off by a sharp yelp from the main area, pulling Ty's attention away. The yelp turns out to be from a chihuahua, its tiny frame shaking as it tries to escape the solitary area, somehow trapping itself in the process. Without thinking, I move toward the frightened animal, driven by instinct.

"Wait!" Tory's voice slices through the chaos, sharp with concern. "That’s Mabel. She bites."

Her warning barely registers, the dog's distressed cries pulling at me. As I reach the trembling chihuahua, I drop to my knees, speaking in soft, soothing Russian, words from a childhood I keep locked away.

"It’s okay, little one," I say quietly, gently freeing her from her predicament. To my surprise, she doesn't snap or struggle; instead, she curls into me, seeking comfort.

Turning back to Tory, I find her staring at me, a look of sheer amazement on her face. It's a moment, suspended in time, where the usual barriers between us seem to crumble.

“Was that Russian?” she asks. I can't help but smirk, the dog still nestled against me, its earlier panic forgotten.

"Animals understand kindness, no matter the language."

Tory steps closer, her gaze lingering on the scene before her. "I've never seen her calm down so quickly with anyone else. That was impressive."

The compliment, simple as it is, sparks an unfamiliar warmth.

"She was scared, that's all. Anyone would've done the same," I say, attempting to brush off the significance of the moment.

But Tory shakes her head, her eyes still fixed on mine. "Not like that. You have a way with her. Thank you."

Chapter 7

Tory

The sight in front of me defies belief. Mabel, normally a trembling ball of nerves around anyone but women, is pressed against Maksim as if he’s the safest place in the world. Watching the little dog find solace in the arms of a man she's just met—especially a man like Maksim—my heart softens a bit more toward him.

Ty speaks up, "Man, you must have some kind of magic touch with animals."

Maksim offers a shrug. "I have a daughter," he says simply. "She taught me gentleness."

The admission strikes me, painting a picture so at odds with the man I thought I knew. The idea of him as a doting father nearly floors me. There's a depth to him, a complexity that's both intriguing and alarming.

Ty, never one to miss a beat, turns the conversation, his tone playful but pointed. "So, you’re married?" he asks, testing the waters in a way that's bold, a little reckless, and painfully obvious.

Maksim's response is immediate, his gaze finding mine. "I am not," he confirms. "I was actually hoping Tory would do me the honor of going to dinner with me."

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