Page 9 of Take It Offline

Beds, blankets, toys, bowls. Reese and I move like a well-oiled machine until each kennel is fresh and clean and every paw is accounted for.

“Nice,” she says, giving me a high five. “Thanks again for taking Saint last night. How did she do on her walk?”

I scratch behind the Great Dane’s ears, and she wags her tail. “She’s a trooper. Made it all the way to the second corner before we had to slow down. Should be able to visit her boyfriend next week.”

“No limping?”

“None.”

Reese sags in pure relief. Her heart is too pure for this world. “Fantastic. And you’re still good to take Nugget for a doggie sleepover on Tuesday?”

“Of course. You know it’s not a problem. Whatever?—”

“Yeah, yeah. Anytime I need you, whatever I need,” Reese teases.

Good to know I’ve gotten predictable.

“So,” she drags out in a tone I know all too well. I brace myself. “Are you free Friday night?”

I eye her warily. “Should be, why?”

“Mae mentioned her cousin?—”

I hold up a hand. “I’m gonna stop you right there.” If I had a nickel for every time my sister set me up, I’d be richer than the Conways.

“She’s a historian, Charlie, and she’s super cute.”

I set my hands on my hips. “Then you date her.”

Mae—with perfect timing—chooses that moment to walk in with Nugget. Reese waits as her girlfriend and business partner secures the fluffy Maltese in the last kennel before catching her finger in Mae’s belt loop, pulling her close, and slinging an arm around her waist.

“If Mae wasn’t the love of my life, maybe I would,” Reese says. “One date, Charlie. What’s the harm?”

We’ve been having this conversation for two years. Ever since Lucy left and I decided relationships were too much trouble.

Yeah, it hurt, but it’s not like I’m still pining for her. Last I heard, she’s engaged. I’m happy for her. She dodged a bullet, honestly. I’ve never been good at anything I couldn’t walk away from.

Breaking up was the best thing for both of us.

Who cares that every damn time I think about the future, Lucy’s voice echoes in my mind, saying, “I don’t think I ever loved you.”

She wasn’t the first to throw me aside, but I’ll make sure she’s the last.

Mae, as always, plays backup. “Bar hookups are fun and all, but don’t you want something more?” She brushes her bangs out of her eyes, and the chain mail of earrings cascading around her ear glitter against her spiky black hair.

“No. I’m good with what I have right now.”

And I am. For once in my godforsaken life, things are fine. There are no creditors after me, and our bills are paid.

Hell, I even have savings.

Things are fine.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love how much you help us out around here, but you deserve to find love again. After what happened with Lucy?—”

I toss my head back with a huff. “Enough of the chick flick moments. That was years ago. I’m over it. I’m perfectly happy getting what I need when I need it, no strings attached. I like it this way.”

Reese throws her hands in the air. “Well, I tried. Now, get out of here. Go spend time in that empty apartment by yourself.”

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