Page 83 of Unmatched

“I believe it does.” Henry glances at his attorney, who removes some papers from his briefcase. “We took the liberty of drawing up specifics on the division of labor, so to speak, as well as some financial projections. Lydia and I will be equal partners, but my role will remain more behind the scenes, focused on things like accounting, human resources, website development, and social media, while Lydia continues as the face of the business, and...” Henry trails off, waving his hands as if to dismiss something unpleasant.

“I handle the actual dogs,” I finish for him, biting back a laugh.

“Yes, preferably,” he says.

Charlotte peruses the documents from the other attorney, and we all make notes, going further into the details. Henry asks about the status of the new Pooch Park location, and we discuss whether to hire someone new or promote Tomás to take some of the managerial pressure off me. I tell him about Scarlet quitting last minute, how incredibly hard it is to find decent groomers, and he makes some really great suggestions about how to incentivize the right people to replace her. Then we go into detail on my expansion plans, and I listen as he speculates what might be most profitable. It’s actually kind of nice when he offers to run comparisons on similar business models, and I realize all I have to do is focus on the fun parts—what boarding, pet sitting, or dog training might look like added to our operations—without having to slog through their financial viability first.

By the time we leave Charlotte’s office that afternoon, we have a tentative agreement. Henry will be buying a fifty percent stake in the Pooches and all related businesses going forward, and I will receive a nice injection of cash. It’s not the mind-blowing amount initially proposed, but it’s still significant.

I pull my phone out on the way to my car, desperate to call Anton and tell him everything. I have a plan—I can strike a balance. I’m making time for both work and pleasure, and I want that pleasure to include him.

My brain catches up to my fingers before I manage to dial. I haven’t heard from Seth for two days. That might mean nothing with Sharon has changed, but if it has...

I swipe to my browser and start Googling flights. Whatever the situation, Anton and I need to be face-to-face.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Heartthrob follows me around the house, practically glued to my heels. He’s been a mess ever since I pulled my purple suitcase back out and started packing for Dallas. Actually, we both have.

“You’ll have fun with Tomás and all your buddies,” I say in my most reassuring voice.

He tilts his head like he’s unconvinced, and I guess I can’t blame him. It’s been more than a week since Anton packed his own suitcase and walked out. Heartthrob whined and paced the first twenty-four hours, and he’s parked himself by the front window every day since, waiting for his return. They—we—have never been apart this long.

I look into his deep brown eyes, stroking the extra-soft fuzz on his Akita ears. “I won’t be gone long, and...maybe I’ll bring him home with me.”

My voice wavers as I express this hope. Heartthrob gives a resigned sigh, and I turn back to the bed to fold the rest of my shirts. My phone lights up on the duvet.

Seth

Shoot me your flight info so I can pick you up tonight.

Nah, don’t worry, I’ll get a Lyft. Will you guys be at Sunny Cove, or should I come to the house?

Seth

Cove. He sits with her from nine to five like it’s his job. I’m glad you’re coming.

Does he know?

Seth

Hell no. I’m staying out of this. Just get here so you can kiss and make up.

I manage a small smile. My brother-in-law inherited all the easy communication Anton didn’t get from their mom. When I called to feel him out about my plan, Seth was elated. He said if I didn’t come soon he’d put Anton on a plane to Denver himself.

When my suitcase is nearly full, I realize I almost forgot the essentials and pull open my underwear drawer. I am about to grab a handful of my usual cotton briefs when a glimpse of lace catches my eye toward the back. I pull out the two sexy lingerie sets I purchased before meeting Anton at the hotel. With a warm feeling in my belly, I slip into the set I haven’t worn yet. It’s a champagne color, with delicate pink flowers scattered over the sheer fabric covering my clearly visible nipples. It’s a bit more structurally complete than the set I wore at the hotel, but seeing it in the mirror still makes me blush. I can’t help wondering if Anton will like it—if he even sees it. Or if he’ll ask me to leave before he gets the chance.

After a few instructions and a pep talk with my bather, Alicia, about how to open Ooh La Pooch without Scarlet, I drop Heartthrob with Tomás on my way to the airport. I haven’t mentioned the deal with Henry to him yet, and I’m worried how he’ll react, but Anton is the person I need to talk to about that next. I hope he can see what I’m trying to do—what it could mean for us.

I nearly abandon the entire trip at airport security when, of all things, my carry-on starts to buzz. Two TSA agents approach, looking official and insisting I unzip the suitcase to show them what’s inside. I had packed my electric toothbrush, and for several seconds I pray to the airport gods that it’s the source of the vibration. Because I had also thrown the rabbit in as an afterthought just before I left the house, a vote of confidence for myself that this whole effort might go well. I should’ve left it at home. I should have at least taken out the batteries.

The vibration was not coming from the toothbrush.

After an extended period of mortification during which the agents relay cryptic messages over their radios through bouts of muffled laughter, they finally decide I’m not carrying explosives and allow me to re-pack my bag. Though joke’s on me when I look for the battery—it’s rechargeable. By this point, I’m closer to the terminal than the airport exit, so I power toward my gate, trying not to die of humiliation. I find an empty corner facing a window so I can put my back to anyone who might’ve witnessed that particular disgrace, and I’m about to pull up my flight status when my phone rings.

“Hello?” I answer, grateful to see Caprice’s name.

“Hey, glad I caught you,” she says in a rush. “Have you left for the airport yet?”

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