Page 71 of Embers Glow After the Fire

“How old is she?” Margo strokes Honey’s ear and boops her nose.

Honey wrenches back and blurts a low “berf.”

“Just two months.”

“Oh, I just love her.” Margo drops back into the styling chair and clutches a gossip magazine to her lap.

Matthew repositions the space-age chrome octopus looking infrared heat lamp hovering over her head.

“Now sit still so these packets can process.” He turns to the young assistant. “Shampoo her in fifteen?”

Kelsie nods and double checks the clock before scuffling back to the break room to mix Margo’s toner.

Matthew lugs wiggly Honey through the salon, pausing to let several clients pet her head and shake her paws, before he gets back into his office and sets her loose on the floor.

Honey zooms two laps around his feet and dives onto the sofa set against the wall. She snarls and shakes her head as she gnaws on her third frayed rope toy, having already destroyed the first two he’d bought her.

Matthew plops into his chair and checks his phone. His messages to Brendon are going unanswered again. He’s supposed to be traveling down with Dennis and Robbie, for Perry’s big retirement party but they haven’t talked for the past two days.. They’ve both been busy and late night chats have been brief. Brendon hasn’t said much about his meeting with Christian’s lawyer but Matthew doesn’t pry. It’s not really any of his business.

He shuffles the computer mouse on his desk to wake the screen and check his schedule. Just one more client to go, after Margo and the day is finished.

Honey slides off the couch and waddles over to his feet. She sits pretty, as he’s been trying to teach her, and gazes up at him with a tilt to her head.

He ruffles the ginger fringe around her neck and she leans into his touch with a blissful grin.

His phone chimes, pulling him back from the puppy cuteness hypnotic.

Robbie: “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I can’t believe I let Den talk me into driving from Maine to Atlanta. This man is crazy.”

Matthew giggles.

Matthew: “Can’t wait to see you… Is Brendon with you?”

Robbie: “No.”

Matthew: “What’s your ETA tomorrow?

Robbie: “We’re aiming for mid-morning to early afternoon. We should hit the Carolina’s tonight and are going to grab a few hours in whatever hotel has a room.”

Matthew: “My guest room is ready for you.”

Robbie: “Thanks babe. Love you.”

Matthew: “Love you, and Denny too.”

He tucks his phone into his pocket.

A soft knock on his door and Kelsie’s meek voice calls through the wood. “Margo is ready for you.”

“Thank you Kels. I’ll be right out.” He ruffles Honey’s soft puppy fringe one more time and reaches for the doorknob. “You stay here, I’ll be back in just a bit.”

She doesn’t listen and bolts through the door as soon as it opens.

“Honey!” he calls after her but her little wagging tail disappears around the corner and onto the salon floor in a golden blur.

He jogs out into the salon and chases her toward the lobby.

“I’ll be right back Margo,” he pants as he trots by. “Daevon, grab her!” he calls to the front, hoping she doesn’t slip through the door and break out to the sidewalk. His heart catches in his chest. “Honey!”

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