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Licking her dry lips, she glanced around the reception. No one was present. There was soft music playing in the background. Was there a way for her to politely leave without looking bad? Just when she was about to leave, Jase put down the phone. Of course he did.
“I’m so sorry about that. How can I help you?” he asked.
“Er … my … erm, my mom got me this, and I haven’t had time to use it. I don’t know if it’s still valid.”
Jase took the gift certificate from her, turned it over, and typed in the card. “Yes, absolutely. Are you applying for your year’s membership?” he asked. “Also, I don’t know if you’re aware but this also includes a personal trainer.”
“A personal trainer?” Why was she even surprised? Her mother would always go that extra mile to make sure her daughter did the right thing. “I had no idea.”
“I don’t have any trainers available at the moment. However, I can take you as a client.”
“Er, are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes, I own this gym. I can show you all my relevant qualifications. We can set this up, if this is what you want,” he said.
Aria nibbled her lip. Looking up, she realized there was a mirror behind him, and she caught sight of her reflection.
“You’re not good enough.”
“You’re fat.”
“You’re ugly.”
“No one will ever want you.”
The same words kept ringing in her head, in her mother’s voice. The constant, annoying sound.
Forcing a smile to her lips, she nodded. “Yes, I would like that. I’d like to set this up, and then we can do whatever comes next. If you don’t mind.”
“No problem! Give me a moment. I’ll have someone come and deal with the desk, and then we’ll go and get you set up.”
This was it. This was really happening.
“Will the … er, the person who gave me this certificate, will they know?”
Jase shook his head. “No, they won’t be notified that it’s being used.”
“That’s good.”
She didn’t want her mother to know. If she did, it would just make this worse.
****
Grant rubbed at Wanda’s head. She had managed the steps leading up to the apartment with no problem. She also had no issues with taking her seat in the corner of the sofa.
“You’re not a bad dog at all. You’re just a giant pain in my ass because I fucking care.” He shook his head. The last thing he wanted was for anything to happen to Wanda.
So far, Andy’s assessment hadn’t been quite so accurate. Wanda had joined him back at the kennel. She’d stayed in the large bed he’d purchased in the main reception room, and she hadn’t moved even as he took the other dogs for a walk.
Bull had left a nice, threatening voicemail on his cell phone, and he knew he would get an earful when they met.
After spending all day at the shelter, he’d put Wanda into the back of his truck and drove back to his apartment. He couldn’t stand the idea of noodles from a packet again for dinner, so he’d ordered takeout from the diner. He was starving.
Wanda hadn’t eaten the food he’d gotten for her either. He didn’t know the last time Wanda ate. He was tempted to phone the vet. Glancing at the time, it was a little after 7:00. They were open until 8:00, but they would also answer emergency phone calls.
There was a break in his worrying as someone banged on his front door. He hoped it was food. Wanda lifted her head but didn’t make a move.
“I can see that I’m going to be your guard dog.” He shook his head and made his way to the front door, expecting to be greeted by the delightful smell of food, only to see the ugly-ass face of his brother.
