Page 53 of Doggy Style

Chapter Twenty-Five

Yessi

Iwalk around the shelter, looking at all the helpless dogs about to die. Here I thought I was making a difference and saving dogs. But instead, the man I love just ordered more puppies.

I’m weak. I fell for Preston Evans. He used me to promote his puppy store. I was so desperate for love that I believed what he said.

And now, I have nothing to show for it. I quit my job at the tattoo parlor, I moved out of my place. Hell, even my dogs are with Avril. I’m so pathetic.

I reach my hand in a kennel and pet an old dog whose best days are long behind him. He has a black lab head and a corgi body. I think he’s adorable, but I doubt the public will. He has no shot of surviving.

I break into sobs.

Then, I hear footsteps behind me. I’m afraid to turn around. Is it the kennel tech with a red leash, about to lead this old dog to his death?

“Yessi.”

Preston? I slowly turn around and just leap into his arms, despite myself.

“Yessi, babe. I’m here.”

I pull back and stare at him. “Did you leak the tape? Did you order those puppies? Don’t you lie to me.”

“No. I didn’t. I swear to you. I would never lie to you.”

I want to believe him so badly. “Then who did?”

“Hugh. He showed up at the store just now. He admitted to everything. I’m going to press charges about the tapes.”

As pathetic as it sounds, I believe Preston. Since we’ve been together, he’s been totally open and honest with me. Sure, I doubted him, but I can’t believe he would order puppies after all we’ve been through.

“What about the puppies? Did you send them back? Dude will probably resell them.”

“Well, Avril, Eden, and I agreed we should just fix them and adopt them out, so they aren’t bred. Last puppies ever though, I promise. You can be in charge of picking dogs. But I have to find a way to keep the store open. I need to make a profit.”

“So it’s hopeless?” Despair threatens to consume me.

He shakes his head and smiles. “Nah. I’m sure the two of us can find a way to get sponsors if the store is only for rescue dogs. Don’t give up on me, Yessi. I need you.”

It feels so good to be needed. “I need you, too.”

“Meanwhile, Avril has the hots for the Amish guy. She thinks she can convert him like you converted me.”

Ha. Can’t say that I blame her. He was gorgeous. “She’s insane.”

“Can we get out of here? This place gives me the creeps.”

I nod. “Yeah, but I’m taking this dog with us.”

He wraps his arms around me, and we kiss. “Of course, you are. That’s why I love you.”