Page 77 of Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

“I am. Thank you for approving him tonight.”

“Thank you for bringing him. I have been arguing for more actual dogs at the dog benefit for years, which apparently makes me a radical.”

“What’s their argument against it?”

“Allergies, liability, potential distraction, and one trustee who believes animals equal chaos.”

I glanced down at Max, who had resumed sitting with quiet military precision. “Max is less chaotic than most cocktail hours.”

“Exactly what I said.” Miriam’s eyes warmed. “Leah told me he’s retired military.”

“Yes. He has some hearing loss on his right side, so I try to keep people from coming up on him there. But he does very well in crowds if he has a job and a clear sense of where I am.”

Miriam’s expression changed slightly at that. “My father had a mobility dog near the end of his life,” she said. “He hated needing help until the dog made it feel less like needing help and more like having a partner in crime.”

I smiled. “That sounds about right.”

Miriam had an ease to her that didn’t feel forced. She was fully paying attention. Her gaze moved over my dress, the bracelet, the earrings Octavia had chosen. “This color is wonderful on you.”

“Thank you. It was a team effort involving a thrift-store owner, one skeptical dragon, and my dog, who mostly supervised.”

“A skeptical dragon is here?”

“Across the room pretending not to hover.”

Miriam looked past me. “Ah. Yes. That one.”

I glanced back despite myself. Rafe looked away one second too late.

Miriam’s smile sharpened. “He’s not especially subtle, is he?”

“He has many gifts. Blending is not currently on the list.”

“No,” she said. “He looks like he’s fighting every instinct not to come over and ask whether anyone has bothered you.”

My pulse tripped. Stupid pulse. No sense of timing. “He’s my client.”

“Of course.”

“And I’m here in a professional capacity.”

“Naturally.”

“I feel like you’re not believing me at full strength.”

“I’m reserving judgment.” She turned back to Max.

Max gave a quiet huff.

I pointed at him. “You can’t be on her side. You just met her.”

“He has excellent instincts,” Miriam said.

“He also licks subway poles, so let’s not get carried away.”

Miriam laughed, and Leah, still hovering nearby, looked relieved that the interaction was going well. I made a mental note of that. Miriam mattered to these people. Not just as Dr. Sorel’s wife, but as someone whose mood could change the weather for the staff.

My attention drifted back to the photo display. “Did you design this?”