Page 86 of Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen

August left Isla and Scout to wrap things up and say goodbye to everyone, not wanting to intrude on what would likely still be a very busy day for her friends. Once people had cleared out, she’d find them to help pack everything up for the trip home. Scout had said she could catch a ride with her and Lane, and that they had plenty of space.

August found a quiet spot to sit and reflect, a cup of coffee warming her hands.

It was over between her and Keaton.

Most of her hadn’t expected anything different—he was, if nothing else, a man of stasis. And August had proved that his fears about losing people around him weren’t unfounded. But even without this morning’s dramas, it probably would have ended the same way. Why did she think that a few nights of hot sex and some meaningful conversation would be anything more than a temporary diversion for him?

But part of herhadthought that. There had been a little tiny, hopeful, rose-colored glasses part of her heart that wondered if she laid it all on the line, then maybe...

Maybe he felt the same way she did.

Isla headed over with a wave, pulling August out of her thoughts.

“Hey!” she said, sympathy pulling her brows into a frown. “How are you doing?”

“More embarrassed than anything else,” August admitted. “But the only thing bruised is my ego, thankfully.”

In more ways than one.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Isla shook her head. “That storm came out of nowhere!”

“Let’s not talk about it anymore.” August waved a hand. “You guys did a phenomenal job with this whole thing. Truly.”

“Thanks.” Isla plopped down into the empty seat next to her and let out a sigh. “I’m going to sleep for a week.”

“You deserve it.”

A minute of silence passed and August got the feeling her friend was building up to something.

“I wanted to have a chat about Molly and your friend Leah,” Isla said eventually. She seemed a little nervous, twisting her hands in front of her.

“You don’t have to explain why Molly didn’t win, Isla. She didn’t even finish the competition, so I knew she couldn’t possibly be in the running. Besides, you chose the right contestant—Swish was fantastic! I know she’ll make a great client and I wouldneverexpect favoritism. You know I hate that stuff.”

Isla nodded and let out a breath, her shoulders dropping. “Good.”

“Did you really think I’d be upset?” she asked.

“No, of course not. But you seem...a little off.”

“It’s nothing to do with this, trust me.” She looked down.

“Well, I can guess what itmightbe about. But before I start asking questions, I wanted to run an idea by you.” She smiled. “I’ve been thinking about starting a mentorship for a while, as a way to give back to upcoming social media creators. And while Molly wasn’t able to finish the competition, I think she hasloadsof potential, and your friend Leah is already in the social space, right?”

“That’s right. She runs a YouTube channel.”

“Do you think she would be interested in some ongoing mentoring? I’d love to have her into the Paws in the City office so we can talk about her plans for her channel and blog, and what other platforms she might want to expand to. Doesn’t even have to be pet social media, because I’ve got plenty of experience in other spaces, too.”

“You would do that for her?” It felt like August’s heart might burst from the kind gesture.

“Absolutely. I had a quick chat with her on Zoom after the workshop and she’s super bright and motivated. I love working with people like that and I loved hearing her story of how she wants to help educate people about MS and provide inspiration and support to other women in her situation. If I can help her grow her platform, then I’d like to do it.”

Emotion welled up inside August—probably because she was already feeling so raw—and she threw her arms around Isla. “Thank you.”

“Oh my goodness, it’s totally my pleasure.” Isla squeezed her back. “This business can be quite cutthroat and competitive. But I really want to be a force for positivity, and I feel like Leah wants the same. We’d make a great team.”

“I agree.”

“You want to tell me what else is going on? It didn’t escape me that a certain BFF’s hunky big brother isn’t here anymore.”

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