Page 38 of Followed By the CEO

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“Nothing! I don’t know what kind of sexual favors the two of you get up to!”

“Huh? Susan, did you take too many weed gummies this morning?”

She laughs. “That must be it. But when you see Hayden today please ask him again to do the commercial.”

The sex lube commercial that Hayden and I filmed together not only went viral on social media but it caused quite an uptick in the number of comedy venues that have been reaching out to me.

It’s nice, for once, to be able to pick and choose my gigs instead of relying on said gigs to make ends meet.

At the same time, the viral commercial also caused stocks to spike for Conquest Sports on the NYSE.

“I probably won’t see him until tomorrow. I have to take Monster to the dog park and then I’m taking a nap before my gig.”

“Awesome!” Susan exclaims like my routine is somehow new. “I heard about some fundraiser going on in the neighborhood so you may want to wear something nice in case there are cameras around. And make sure Monster is wearing his favorite tuxedo, okay? Bye, honey!”

I stare at my phone after hanging up with Susan, wondering if something heavy fell on her head.

Well, heck. I don’t need an excuse to dress my dog up in formal wear.

Five minutes later, Monster and I are ambling down the street toward the dog park, just like we do every day, except I’m in my favorite sundress and heels, and Monster’s wearing a bow tie.

“Are you looking forward to seeing your friends?” I ask him.

He gives an excited grunt as we approach the gate.

Something is off, though.

I see a massive pink and gold balloon arch, a red carpet, and streamers dancing in the breeze. All of our dog friends and their owners are here at the same time. Strangely, everyone is dressed up like they’re at a movie premiere, even the animals.

“Wow, Susan was right that there’s something going on today. Hi guys!” I wave to all our friends as we enter in through the gate and I detach Monster’s leash.

That’s when I see Susan, some friends from the comedy club, Hayden’s mom, Kate, his sister, Ana, his cousin, Grizz, And Grizz’s wife, Dylan, and their dogs. Then I spot Stella and Luke, who I know for a fact do not own dogs. And they all look very, very excited.

“Guys, what is going on?”

Evidently, that’s their cue to move. The crowd parts down the middle, and Shelby runs up to me. I squat down to give Shelby a pet. “Hey, girl! What’s going on? Where’s Hayden? And did you get a new collar? Oh…wait…what’s this?”

As I give Shelby scratches, my hand runs into something strange attached to a new rhinestone collar.

Upon closer inspection, it looks like a small box.

“What the heck is going on today?”

“Think about it.” These words come from a deep voice to my left. I turn and see Hayden standing there, and the look on his face finally makes everything click into place.

I stand up as he approaches on the red carpet.

My voice is thick with tears as I babble almost incoherently. “The balloons…your family is here…Hayden, did you do this?”

And then that broad chest is right in front of me. Hayden, looking unbelievably handsome in a summer suit. My mouth is agape as he kneels down in front of me and detaches the box from Shelby’s collar.

He opens the box and holds it up to me.

“Mills Mosley, the moment I met you I was exhausted, frustrated, and not thinking clearly. But as soon as I laid eyes on you and felt your gentle, kind spirit, everything became clear. I knew without a doubt I had to have you in my life.”

Bawling. I’m absolutely bawling like a baby.

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