Follow Me Darkly (Follow Me #1) - Helen Hardt Page 0,80
stay afloat. Every post she does brings in a huge influx of business.”
“You’re local. Why not expand?”
“I can’t afford it.”
“Sure you can. Expand into online shopping. Addie brings business to big companies like Susanne who have stores all over the world, plus their website.”
She widens her eyes. Has she truly never thought of this?
“Do you think it would work?”
“Everyone shops online these days. And people love their dogs. They’re always looking for ways to pamper them.”
“True. I do great business during the holidays. You wouldn’t believe how much people spend.”
“Think of how much more you can sell online. You can set up an Etsy shop, too!”
She hesitates. “There are a million online pet stores out there.”
“But there’s only one Betsy’s Bark Boutique.”
She smiles. “You think I can do it?”
“I do. We can discuss it over lunch.”
…
I return home after lunch. I didn’t press Betsy to talk about Addie, and we spent the whole lunch talking about expanding her business. She returned to her shop excited, with an agreement from Tessa—we called her—to run some numbers.
My cell phone rings.
“Hey, Tess,” I say.
“You’ll never guess what I did.”
“Probably not.”
“Well, Betsy’s a doll, and I’ve been feeling super guilty about lying to her about having a dog, so I took a late lunch after you guys called and went to the shelter. I found Rita!”
“You adopted a dog?”
“Yeah. She’s an adorable little terrier mix. I pick her up tonight after work. Want to come along?”
“Absolutely. But what about your apartment?”
“I can have a pet.”
“You can?”
“Yeah, and it’ll get me out to walk, which is good. Besides, she’s already two, so house training won’t be a huge thing.”
I laugh. “It just so happens that I picked up some treats today at Betsy’s.”
I spend the rest of the afternoon working on my posts until I leave to meet Tessa at the shelter.
I both love and hate the shelter. I adore seeing all the dogs, but I end up wanting to take every single one of them home with me, and I can’t.
Today is particularly difficult. I fall in love.
A small puppy sits alone, away from the rest of her litter. She seems to cry to me, and her sad brown eyes sear into my soul. She’s black with white markings, probably a heeler or border collie mix.
She’s my dog. I feel this so deeply, but my building doesn’t allow dogs.
“Can you take her as well?” I ask Tessa.
“You know I can’t handle two dogs.”
“Please, Tess? My heart is breaking.”
“Call Braden.”
“No way.”
“He’s super into you. He’ll probably take her, and you can visit her all the time.”
I give her idea brief consideration. Braden’s still in New York. It’s after six, though knowing him, he’s probably still working. Or he’s out to dinner on business.
In the end, though, I can’t do it. I can’t be the needy girlfriend who begs for a puppy.
A shelter worker brings Rita out for Tessa. She’s white and gray, maybe a Scottie or highland mix, and her tail wags nonstop. She’s so happy to be going home, and I can think only of my sweet Penny.
Yeah, I’ve already named her. I’m a glutton for punishment.
“I need to get out of here,” I tell Tessa.
“Okay. I get it. I’ve already done all the paperwork, so we can go.” She puts Rita on the leash she brought, and we leave.
I planned to go home with Tessa and help her get Rita settled, but I can’t. I beg out.
I lost my heart to a sweet little pup.
Just like I’m losing my heart to Braden Black.
And I still don’t know the secret he and Addison are keeping.
What the hell have I walked into?
Chapter Fifty-Three
I haven’t heard from Braden, but I assume our date for the gala is still on.
I do my makeup and sweep my hair into a slightly messy bun. Then I don the black dress. I paint my lips with Cherry Russet to do the “formal” post for Susanne. I go into my hallway, take a quick selfie, and type in the copy I wrote earlier.
Wearing my Cherry Russet lip stain by @susannecosmetics again. My go-to color is perfect for everything from a day at home to a formal evening! #sponsored #lips #kissme #formal #littleblackdress
I return to the bathroom and remove the Cherry Russet. Only then do I paint my lips bloodred and fasten the pearls in place.
I’m transformed.
And a knock sounds on the door.
Shudders rack my body as I open the door, my hand trembling.