Page 31 of Hey, Daddy

The man was hot.

Again, I had to fight the urge to turn around and look.

But there was no way the man didn’t know who I was. My sister and I could pass for twins, and Milena had just blatantly stared at him.

“I’m so sorry but she’s not able to come out right now.” The woman came out of the back office, face slightly flushed.

I pulled out my phone then and pressed dial on the last number I’d called and paused while I waited for the phone to be answered.

It was, and a cheery, welcoming voice said, “Did you meet all the babies yet?”

“Noooo,” I sing-songed. “Actually, Renee, my application was denied.”

There was a long pause and then, “Who’s the one that helped you?”

I looked up, then described the woman at the desk looking at me warily now.

“Amber,” she hummed. “I’m in my office on the top floor. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll show you around.”

She was down in moments, looking angry as a hornet.

“Amber, please go wait in my office.” She paused. “Oh, Haze, son. Would you mind showing the two of them around?”

My brows lifted, and I couldn’t stop myself from turning and glancing at the older woman in front of me to the man behind me and back.

It was the gray in their eyes that clued me in.

Mother and son, for sure.

“Sure,” he said. “I got the kitten room done. They need some more litter, I was about to go do that.”

“I’ll get it done,” she said. “Take them through to see the dogs. Let me know if you need any help.”

The girl disappeared upstairs, and then Renee followed her, steaming mad.

I bit my lip to hide the worry on my face.

“I’m guessing you already know the mission?” he asked carefully.

He also stayed as far away from me as possible given the space allotted to us.

“Yes,” I said. “Your mom’s been testing some of my dog and cat products for years.”

“Oh, that’s you?” he asked, confusion on his face.

My phone started to go wild again, and I sighed.

When I went to silence it, I found that it wasn’t in my purse, but in Milena’s hands.

“You need something more to eat,” she said.

“I have some juice in my car,” I grumbled.

“I have some in the back. That’s where we’re going anyway. Follow me,” he urged.

We did, Milena a whole lot faster than me.

I didn’t want to look through this shelter with him.

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