Begin Again - Jennifer Probst Page 0,48
the floor, hugging and cuddling the puppy. “How’s my baby?” she asked him teasingly.
“Cute.” He closed the door and dropped beside her, claiming his kiss while Gus-Gus tried to climb between them with his wriggly body. “How was the meeting?”
“Good, I think I made an impression on the board to consider Advocates for Animals for part of their holiday funding program. Did you hear back from the court on your motion?”
“The trial is going forth—the judge denied their extension.”
Her gaze grew hard. “Good. Thank goodness, they’re not letting the Spagarellis play their games. Sometimes I really hate money. They get themselves some fancy-ass lawyers and drag us endlessly through motions, burying us in paperwork. I’m so happy we work for organizations that help people who really need it.”
He winced. Not the best segue way into his announcement of a new position, but he’d talk it through with her. “Chloe, I wanted to talk to you about—”
Her phone blared and she shot him an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, it’s Vivian, I just need to take this.”
He nodded, playing with Gus-Gus while she chatted. Then her face suddenly went pale and her voice hissed over the phone. “He did what?”
Owen tilted his head, watching her.
“I can’t believe it—can he do that? Isn’t it illegal to promise funds and then go back on your word? Didn’t we have the paperwork filed and approved?”
He waited while she went back and forth, obviously upset, then finally clicked off. “What happened?” he asked.
“Drew pulled the funds from our organization,” she said bitterly. “Said the Foundation changed their minds after reviewing our application and decided on another rescue organization.”
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered. “I’m so sorry, Chloe. How bad will it affect you?”
“Bad. Vivian is in battle mode, trying to see if we can rally some donors. We’d earmarked the funds for a few legal cases we wanted to take on, along with purchasing those new kennels for some of our partners. Damnit, how could he do this to me?”
“He wants to hurt you because you didn’t choose him,” Owen said simply. “He never realized you could never love someone who cares more about himself than others.”
She fisted her hands and paced. Gus-Gus bounded over and followed in her footsteps. “I wish there was something I could do, but I have no networking ability with that board. Drew was the one who’s been promising the funds for the last few months.”
“We’ll figure something out. Maybe I can rally some troops to take on some pro-bono cases for you. We’ll meet with Vivian tomorrow and create a plan.”
She crossed over and hugged him, allowing comfort. He buried his face in her hair, breathing deep, and savored her. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Every time, babe.”
He kissed her, nipping at her lower lip, dipping his tongue in her sweet, wet heat and immediately went hard. He craved scooping her up and carrying her into bed, but he needed to have the dialogue with her now. “I have news to share.”
“Oh, I like news,” she murmured, dropping kisses on his jawline. “Tell me.”
“I got a new job offer. With Dooney and Finklestein Legal Associates.”
She stilled, then slowly drew back. A frown marred her brow. “What do you mean? I never knew you were interested in leaving the Animal Defense Fund.”
“I wasn’t. But I met Mario at the courthouse and they’ve been looking for a new associate. I’d be strictly animal law, of course, and the pay is double what I’m making. They have a good reputation.”
“Yes, they do. I don’t have an issue with that. I’m just surprised. Don’t they cater to the country club crowd?”
Frustration shot through him. “Rich people have a great deal of influence on changes in law.”
“I know. But I thought one of the things you were most passionate about is protecting and defending the ones who can’t pay. The ones who can’t afford the fancy-ass lawyers.”
His jaw clenched. He didn’t like the uneasy feelings her words brought up, or the challenge suddenly gleaming in her eyes. He spoke calmly. “I do, but I also need to be practical. This is a steady job where I can pick my clients, make money, and still make a difference. You know how not-for-profits run—one day the budget is cut and you’re out of a job.”
“Sure, but that’s another reason we’re so needed. There’s fewer and fewer people fighting for them. Look at the Spagarelli case. If it wasn’t for you and the Defense Fund pursuing, that couple