Page 15 of Embracing Easy

“So,” she says, settling onto the couch and patting the spot next to her, “How’d you and Easy meet?”

I hesitate, unsure how much to share. These people are strangers, after all. But there's something about G's warm demeanor that makes me want to open up.

“It's... a long story.” I sigh, sinking onto the couch.

Her eyes sparkle with interest. “Honey, those are the best kind.”

I take a deep breath and decide to start at the beginning. “I caught my fiancé cheating on me back in Kentucky,” I admit, twisting the water bottle in my hands. “I broke off the engagement and decided I needed a fresh start.”

G nods sympathetically. “Men can be real assholes sometimes.”

I can't help but laugh at her bluntness. “Yeah, they can be.”

“So you picked Miami for your fresh start?” she prompts.

I nod, feeling the familiar twist of anxiety in my gut as I remember how I ended up here. “I... I found this ad online for a job and then for the rental. It seemed perfect. Too perfect, I guess.”

Her brow furrows. “Let me guess. You sent money and it turned out to be a scam?”

Shame washes over me. “God, I feel so stupid,” I whisper, blinking back tears.

“Hey, none of that. You're not the first person to fall for a scam, and you won't be the last.”

I give her a watery smile, touched by her kindness. “Thanks. I just... I don't know what I'm going to do now. I have no money, no job because I missed my interview, and now my car's broken down.”

“Missed your interview?”

I laugh awkwardly, not finding the situation funny in the slightest. She's going to think I'm a total train wreck, but what the hell. “Yeah. The animal clinic on Sweeney. I'm a vet tech,” I clarify. “That's where I was headed when my car broke down.”

G's eyes light up. “Well, I might be able to help with the job part.” She climbs off the couch and saunters over to her desk. I watch as she picks up the rolodex and starts flipping through the cards inside. “Here it is,” she mumbles, pulling out a card. “We actually work on Andrea's truck.” G shoots me a smile, then grabs the phone on her desk and starts punching in numbers. In the next instant, she puts the phone on speaker. It rings twice before a voice says, “Happy Tails Animal Hospital, Julia speaking.”

“Hey, Julia. This is G over at Saints Customs. Is Andrea around?”

“Hey, G! Yeah, give me just a sec.” Smooth jazz fills the line, and within seconds, another feminine voice comes through the line.

“Hey, gorgeous. What's shakin'?”

My lips twitch. “Your interviewee is sitting in my office.” G winks. “Her car broke down before she could make it over there.”

“Well, hell. That sucks. Tell her to swing by tomorrow, and we'll make it work.”

My heart leaps in my chest. I wasn't sure how, but I was going to find a way to pay G back. I needed a break after the crap I've been shoveling lately. “I'll tell her. Thanks, Andrea.”

“Sure thing.”

The office door swings open, and Shawn fills the doorway, his eyes immediately finding mine. My breath catches at the intensity of his gaze.

“All set, baby,” he says, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “Thorn's gonna take a look at your car first thing tomorrow.”

I nod, suddenly feeling shy under his scrutiny. “Thank you.”

G hangs up her phone with a triumphant smile. “Good news! We were able to get Lexi's interview rescheduled for tomorrow.”

“G made a phone call and smoothed things over.” I grin, thankful she was able to pull some strings.

A slow smile spreads across Shawn's face, and my heart does a little flip. “That's great, baby.”

As I look between Shawn and G, I'm struck by a wave of gratitude. These people barely know me, yet they're going out of their way to help.

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