The World According to Vince - Jane Harvey-Berrick Page 0,11

both of us. “You,” she said, stabbing her finger at Rick, “keep him out of trouble,” and then pointed at me as if she wanted to poke me in the eye.

Throwing another scathing look, she swept out of the taxi like royalty. Fookin’ hot!

“Are you sure you want to keep trying to date her?” asked Rick. “She’s a bit scary.”

“Nah, she’s a softie really, I can tell.”

I watched her march down the street and sighed when she disappeared into her office building.

“Right, you want to come and run me dogs?”

“Nah,” Rick grimaced. “I’ve got some paperwork to do at the gym. We still on for the suit-fitting at three?”

“Yep, I’ll see you there.” I was about to wave him off when I realized I had no money. “Eh, you couldn’t lend us fifty for the cab, could you?”

Rick groaned. “Sure. What’s fifty on top of ten thousand? You’re killing me, buddy.”

“I’ll pay you back, no worries.”

I grinned and gave him a thumbs up as he climbed out of the taxi and headed for his gym.

Now I spend a lot of time in the gym. Physical perfection—that would be me—takes time and effort to get my body as amazing as it is, but I don’t live at the gym like Rick does. The dude literally has an apartment over his fitness center. Until he met Cady, he didn’t have anything else in his life. I did persuade him to try Tinder once, but that didn’t go so well. Cough, stalker!

The kids were happy to see me when I opened my front door and walked into the hall. Zeus yipped loudly, telling me in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t impressed by my absence. Tyson hung back, grinning at me goofily while his tail ricocheted off the wall. And sweet little Tap was trying to climb my leg and jump into my arms, but she couldn’t quite make it. So I scooped her up and let her lick my face, giving her the reassurance she needed.

There’s nothing like the welcome from your four-legged (and three-legged) family. Always happy to see you. Always sharing the love. Best feeling ever.

I let them all outside for a slash and a crap while I changed into my running clothes. But Tap followed me around the bedroom, nuzzling my calf from time to time, as if she was checking that I really was home.

“Poor little lass, aren’t you?” I said, stroking her soft fur. “But don’t worry—dad’s home now. So, what did you think of Gracie? I know you ate the Milk-Bone she gave you so I think you must like her. You don’t take treats from just anyone, do you?” And I pulled her ears as she stared up at me like I was her sun and moon.

That’s the other thing about having dogs in your life—you are their whole life. It’s not like they’re going to write their novel while you’re out and about. They’re pack animals for a reason, and I was the pack leader, I was their everything. And in return their love was unconditional. Human beings are never that cool. Dogs don’t stab you in the back.

It was an awesome responsibility and one I didn’t take lightly. If I couldn’t get a good sitter when I was on a shoot, I didn’t take the job. Simple as.

And I was still worried about those dogs at the shelter. I needed to go over there and check on them, even though Gracie had told me to stay away.

I looked around my apartment and wondered how I’d fit in five more dogs, even temporarily. I sighed, wishing I had room for all 17, but now I was completely sober, it didn’t seem like my best idea ever, but five more I could manage until they were re-homed. It would be a squeeze, and my kids would be jealous, but I couldn’t let innocent lives be lost. I’d get over there after the suit-fitting.

Tyson and Zeus came barreling into the bedroom, letting me know that they were ready for their run.

I locked the back door, collected three leads and a pet sling for when Zeus and Tap got tired. I looked like a dick, but I didn’t care.

It was half a mile to the dog play area at Pier 6. That was far enough for Zeus and Tap, but Tyson was just getting going and loved to find another dog his size to play with. Tap was too nervous to play with dogs she didn’t know,