by Monroe, Lila
“They serve breakfast waffle cones,” he says, excited. “I’ve been meaning to try it but I’m away on business so much that I haven’t had the chance.”
He leads me over to Zoey’s Little Red Wagon. “I’ve heard such great things!” he says.
I try to hide my grin as we get up to the window to place our order. Zoey’s scribbling on her order pad. “What can I get you?” she says and then looks up. She does a double take at me. Looks at Hemsworth and then looks at me again.
“My friend here,” I begin, “has heard great things. What do you recommend?”
A slow smile spreads across Zoey’s lips. “I’ll make something special for you. What can I get your handsome friend?”
Hemsworth chuckles as he peruses the chalkboard menu. “Surprise me,” he says with a smile and hands her some bills. I reach for my wallet, but he stops me. “No, please. My treat.”
“Thanks.”
We grab a seat at the picnic table to wait for our order. “So . . . what do you do?” I ask, trying to get my head back in the first-date game.
“I’m an architect,” Garrett replies.
“Really?” I say. “That’s so cool. Would I recognize any buildings here in town?”
He frowns. “Buildings in town?”
Now it’s my turn to be confused. “That you designed?”
Finally, he clues in. “Oh, no, not a building architect. I’m a fitness architect. I design gyms.”
“Oh,” I pause. “That’s . . . also pretty cool. Do you work with the big chain gyms?”
“No, I freelance consult on home gyms,” he replies.
“So . . . you tell people what equipment to buy and how to set it up?” I venture.
“Exactly,” he smiles. “Just the other day, I helped a woman choose the best yoga mat for her needs. It’s a really rewarding career.”
I have to press my lips together to keep from smiling. Because he’s one thousand percent serious. And looks really proud of himself. Because of a yoga mat.
“You get the wrong mat and you can ruin your practice,” he adds. “It’s really important to have the right equipment to achieve your fitness goals.”
“Of course,” I agree.
Thankfully, Zoey brings out our order. She hands Hemsworth his burrito, and me a strawberry-and-custard waffle with extra whipped cream. “Enjoy, kids,” she says and then gives me a not-so-subtle double thumbs up behind the guy’s back.
“This is really good,” Hemsworth says, digging in. “But I’m going to need to spend so much time at the gym. In fact . . .” He puts the burrito down on its wrapper and gets up from the table. Then, to my utter shock, drops to the ground to do push-ups.
Umm, what?
Don’t get me wrong, he’s hot and obviously really, really fit. And, it’s a nice dinner show, but seriously? Right in the middle of our meal?
After twenty-five push-ups and thirty crunches (yes, I counted as I ate my waffle) he returns to the table and finishes his burrito. Like the mid-meal workout was normal.
He’s just taken the last bite when his phone rings. Without even excusing himself he picks it up. “Go for Garrett.”
I try not to laugh.
I see Zoey grinning at me. I give her a head shake. She frowns.
“Sorry,” Garrett says, hanging up. “I have to run. There’s an elliptical emergency I need to deal with.”
It sounds like a bullshit excuse, but from what I’ve learned about him, probably not. I don’t even care if it is, because this guy isn’t for me.
He’s not Noah, for a start. Noah and I had so much fun together without even really having to try. It was natural and easy, and we clicked so well. We were everything this . . . isn’t.
“No problem,” I say to Garrett, managing a smile, because hey, I did get lunch out of the deal. He leaves, and I take my time savoring the rest of my waffle.
Zoey comes and joins me, putting one of her amazing lattes down in front of me. “You really do love me,” I grin.
“I do,” she says. “So . . . spill!”
I sigh. “Remember that Friends episode? When Phoebe is acting as Joey’s agent and takes a message for him from an audition? ‘This one says Joey is pretty but dumb . . . no wait, just pretty dumb.’ ”
Zoey laughs. “He was pretty, though. You could just bang him and tell him not to talk—before, during, or after.”
I giggle but shake my head. “Nope.”
I can see she’s about to say something else, but thankfully, my phone sounds with a text. It’s from Zach telling me to head over to the shelter—my ex-shelter—to meet with the director about our app.
I groan.
“What’s up?” Zoey asks.
“Zach pitched the app to my old boss,” I tell her.
“Ouch.”
“I guess being an adult means I can’t bail on meetings, no matter how awkward,” I say reluctantly. She wishes me luck, and I head over to the shelter. I wave at the volunteer at the front desk and head right for Diane’s office.
Putting a smile on my face that I’m so not feeling, I clear my throat. “Hey, Diane,” I say.
She looks up from her computer and smiles. SMILES. “Hey, Eve,” she says, pointing at the chair across the desk from her.
I sit down, cautious—half expecting another dressing-down.
“So, this pet matchmaker app . . . I hear it’s your big idea?” she asks.
I nod. “Zach is the tech guy, but yes. I thought it would be a great way to connect people with rescue animals. Make adopting fun and convenient.”
“Well, I’ll be honest,” Diane says. “I’m impressed. I do have a few suggestions, but in just the few days we’ve been using it, we’ve already seen a huge spike in adoptions and a ton of walk-ins. The people coming in because of the app already know the animals they want to meet, and so many of them have already fallen in love because of the photos and videos, it’s a done deal.”
“That is amazing!” I exclaim, excited. “I’m so glad it’s working!”
She gives me a wry grin. “It’s working even better than your little rental scheme.”
Gulp.
“Diane,” I start. “Again, I want to say I’m so sorry about all that. I . . . I never meant to risk the shelter or let you down.”
“I get it.” She gives a sigh. “You’re forgiven. I know you had good intentions. This app is all out in the open and we can’t profit from it, so it’s fine.”
I exhale in relief. “Thank you.”
“I have a board meeting shortly, so I have to get out of here,” she says. “But I have some suggestions about the app, just small things that would make it easier on our end.”
“Please, let us know!” I insist. “We’re still refining the design.”
She nods. “I’ll email you those suggestions.”
“I look forward to it. And again, I’m really glad I could make it up to you.”
“Me, too,” she says as she comes around the desk. “And I’ll be recommending to the board that we sign on for your app once you officially take it to market.”
YES!
Excited, I leave her office and go down the hall to visit Fred . . . only to find his kennel empty. At first, I think he’s been adopted—Diane did say the app has been working—but his file card is still on the clipboard. What’s going on?
I walk down the hall and discover he’s in the grooming room getting a bath.
“Hey,” I say as I walk in. “Did Fred get into some mud on a walk?”
Sam, one of the volunteers, looks up from the dog to smile at me. “Hey, Eve. Actually, no! He got adopted thanks to that new app. I’m just getting him cleaned up for his new home.”
“Oh,” I say, nearly overcome with emotion. Fred is going to a new forever home! It’s bittersweet—sad for me but wonderful for him. “That’s so, so great!”
She glances up at the clock on the wall. “I need to hurry. He’s getting picked up in a half hour.”
Tech
nically I don’t volunteer here anymore, so I can’t help her with grooming or getting the paperwork ready, but I don’t think Diane would mind if I met Fred’s new family and offered some tips about his care. I hang out with Fred, sitting on the floor beside him and give him all my love as we wait.
“You are going to your new home, Fred,” I say to him. “I’m so, so happy for you! I’m going to miss you though, good boy. So much. But this is best for you. Maybe I can run into you at the dog park sometime with your new family, how about that?” I lean against the bars as I rub his velvety ears.
“Eve?”
I wipe away my eyes and look up to find a familiar guy standing there.
Noah.
26
Eve
I stare at Noah in disbelief.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, confused.
God, he looks good.
Why does he have to look so good?
“I could ask you the same thing,” Noah says.
“I’m just saying goodbye to Fred before he gets adopted.” I stand up and brush off my butt. “His new family should be here any minute now.”
Noah gives a bashful grin. “They are. I mean, I am. I’m adopting him.”
I blink. “Are you serious?”
He nods. “You said dogs require commitment. Maybe I could use some work in that department.” He looks sheepish and adorable and all the feels I have for him come rushing back. But I push them away because I am not a lovesick puppy. Nope. Not one bit.
“So you just decided to adopt Fred?” I ask, careful now. Because yes, Noah would make an amazing dog-father, but only if he understands the time and devotion it takes. Fred is my baby, and I’m not letting him go only to be disappointed. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
Noah nods. “I was fooling around on this app and he popped up. It said he’d be perfect for me. It was right.” He puts his phone away and looks down at the pup.
I can see the love on Noah’s face as Fred snuffles and wags his tail—that love clearly mutual. “He always was my favorite guy to work with while we were running Dog for a Day.”
I gulp.
Is he trying to melt my panties—and my heart—right now?
Because it’s working.
Boy, is it working.
“Anyway, I should—” I blurt as he says, “Want to help me take him home?”
I pause.
“Maybe you could help me get him settled. You know, a familiar face for him. If you’re not busy.”
He’s giving me an out. In case it’s too weird? It makes me wonder why he really asked me to help. But the fact is, he didn’t have to. He could have seen me and run the other way. He could have said hi and been done with me. There are a million ways he could have blown me off.
But he didn’t. Still, I feel like I need to guard my heart.
“OK,” I say cautiously. “For Fred.”
I help Noah fill out the paperwork, and a short while later, we’re on our way. We take a route through the park so Fred can sniff and mark trees, but it’s nice just to walk and be together. Except that whole elephant in the room thing.
“You’re still here,” I blurt out. “Does this mean you didn’t take the job in New York?”
“No, I didn’t,” he says. “The truth is, I realized I went out on my own for a reason. I mean, I got dazzled that they wanted me so badly—it was really flattering—but in the end, it’s not what I wanted to do. And moving . . .” He pauses. “I never wanted to move to New York, Eve.”
“No?” I try to keep the hope out of my voice.
“No,” he says, giving me a smile I can’t quite read. “But the cool thing is that when I turned them down, they offered me a consulting contract.”
I stop in my tracks. “They did? That’s amazing, Noah, congratulations!”
He smiles, sheepish again. “Thanks. It actually turned out better than I ever thought. I have everything I ever wanted. I mean, almost everything . . .”
What does that mean?
He clears his throat “Anyway, how have you been? Are you back at the shelter now?”
“No.” I shake my head. “But . . . I just had a meeting with Diane. We straightened everything out and we’re good.”
“I’m glad about that,” he says. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry that I pressured you into the scheme. I know we were in a tight spot, but still, I shouldn’t have pushed you to cross the line.”
“It’s not your fault,” I sigh. “I got caught up in it, too. But the reason I was meeting with Diane today . . .”
“What?” he asks, encouraging.
I take a deep breath. “The app you used that matched you with Fred? It’s mine. I mean, my idea. Zach did the coding, but—” I stop. I have to start claiming my successes. Adulting, remember? “It’s mine.”
“Holy shit,” Noah grins. “That’s amazing!”
“Not that I did all this to match you with Fred,” I say quickly. “That’s just a coincidence.”
“Some might call it fate,” Noah suggests.
“Pffft,” I say with a dismissive wave. “If you believe in that sort of thing.”
He grins and looks up, seeming surprised that we’re already at his building. He stops walking and turns toward me. He’s looking at me weirdly and I’m suddenly afraid he’s going to tell me not to bother coming in.
“Eve,” he says. He clears his throat and starts again. “Eve, I’m really not good at this stuff. The big gestures or public declarations. I’m not a rom-com hero who seems all awkward but still manages to do and say all the right things. But . . . I miss you.” He looks at me with those irresistible eyes. “I am so sorry for freaking out and ruining things between us. I’ve regretted it every day since.”
“Noah . . . ?” I gape at him in shock, but he’s not done yet.
“My first instinct wasn’t to take the New York job,” Noah explains. “But not because it was in New York. Because it would take me away from you. So, I freaked out. And fucked up everything. I’m so sorry.”
I swallow. Hard. Because I almost can’t believe what I’m hearing.
He takes my hands in his. “The fact is, even if I took the job, it would have been for the wrong reasons. I would have been running away from us. Which, as it turns out, is the very last thing I really wanted.”
“Oh.”
Is that my heart beating louder? I swear I can feel it thumping out of my chest.
“Eve,” Noah continues, emotion in his eyes. “I’m crazy about you, and I know I’ve fucked things up, but if you give me a second chance—”
“Yes,” I blurt, before he can even finish. “Yes. I mean, I want a second chance, too!”
Noah looks surprised—like he hasn’t thought this far ahead. “You do?”
I nod and watch the relief and happiness spread across his way-too-handsome face. The same happiness I’m feeling, because wow, as apologies go, that was pretty epic.
And romantic.
And heartwarming.
And real.
There’s nothing I can do but kiss him. Really kiss him. Like, oh baby, I have missed you something fierce kiss him.
Fred starts barking—in approval, obviously—but we don’t stop. Because right now, I’m on top of the world, and I don’t plan on coming back down any time soon.
27
Eve
A few months later . . .
“Eve,” Diane says, looking around at the huge crowd in the park. “If you were any more successful, I’d be out of a job. Look at what you’ve done here!”
I bite my lip to keep from deflecting her praise. I’m still working on that whole “own my successes” thing, but even that can’t stop the giant grin on my face. She’s right. I did this. With some help from Noah who helped with some of the marketing, and Zoey who lined up all the food trucks, of course. But mostly, this was thanks to the app’s huge success. And we’ve only just begun.
“How many adoptions are you up to?” Di
ane asks.
I give her a grin. “I’ve lost count, but shelters are averaging a 247 percent increase in adoptions.”
“That is truly spectacular,” she says, proud.
“Just think, if you hadn’t fired me, none of this would exist,” I tease.
She mock-scowls. “That’s true, but . . .”
“Too soon?” I laugh.
“Maybe.” She gives my shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “Anyway, I’m really amazed at what you’ve done.”
To be honest? So am I. The app has taken off like a rocket, and we’ve signed thirty shelters so far, with more contacting me every day. I’m working at it full time, and even though we’re keeping the price low so the non-profits can afford it, I’m making way more money than I ever imagined. It almost feels wrong to take money from something I’m loving so much!
I tried to pay Zach for developing the app, but he wouldn’t take anything. He says he did it for fun. I guess writing code and beta testing is the sort of thing you do “for fun” when you’re a super-rich tech nerd.
Noah wouldn’t take any money, either, even though technically I’m one of his clients. He’s been working tirelessly on making videos (some that even feature Fred) and getting the word out for the app. But he says it’s been great exposure for him, and he’s been signing other legit clients on top of Perfect Match.
Speaking of . . . I look over at the Perfect Match tent where they are doing a fun dog/date matching event—what they originally wanted to do with Noah, but scaled down to be a fun thing for the fundraiser. And as for the man himself . . . Noah is over there too, managing things. Like he feels my gaze on him, he looks up and smiles. He gives me a wink that warms my heart. And my lady parts, if I’m being honest.
Because the past few months have been amazing. Hot, and funny, and yes, sexy as hell. Every day, we’re getting to know each other better—and trust each other better, too. I can tell this is new territory for Noah, but to be honest, it is for me, too. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. But I know we can figure it out, together. We are so crushing this whole “adults in love” thing. It’s almost too good to be true. I’d be nervous about good things coming to an end, but with him looking at me the way he does, I know it won’t be. It’s just good. Period.
