****
Leah plopped on her couch. Her hands numb from toting shopping bags from the pet store. She stretched out on her sofa, longing for a hot bath in her claw-foot tub, ready to close her eyes. A bark jerked her eyes back open, and already by instinct, she reached her hand over the edge of the couch. She looked at her new addition to her household. How did I fall for this puppy?
She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her thighs. Her new dog wagged its tail.
“You like the name, Chip?”
He barked again in response.
She picked him up and cuddled him to her side.
“This won’t be easy. I have a business to run.” She patted his head. “I can take you back.”
Chip’s pink tongue licked her fingers. Leah laughed.
“I guess you like it here already, huh?”
Her phone caught her attention when it buzzed. Leah placed Chip on the rug and read a text from Seth.
7:33 PM… Seth: Had fun last night
Her lips curled into a smile.
7:35 PM… Leah: Me too
She waited for another reply, but received none. Leah strolled to her tub, leaving Chip in the living room with his new bone chew toy. Though he followed her to the bathroom, she nudged him outside for her privacy. Engulfed by hot water, her body relaxed. Jazz played faintly in the background, and she enjoyed the sweat on her forehead from the steam.
Her lavender wash tickled her nostrils, but upon hearing the whimpers of Chip and his little paws at the door, Leah ended her personal spa session. After stepping out the tub, she tied her plush cotton robe around her waist, and walked only to stop spotting Chip reclining in front of the door. She scratched behind his ears and then stood upright to walk to her bed. Where was her copy of Wuthering Heights again?
Leah pivoted at the sound of her phone ringing. Perhaps Seth had called wanting to talk. Worry snaked through her. When she spotted Cole’s name, her heart leaped.
“It’s not a bad time is it?” he asked.
“Not at all. What’s up?”
“Your photos are done.”
Her body froze in place. “They are?”
“Leah?”
She sat on her bed. “Yes?”
“They’re great. I wouldn’t tell you that if it wasn’t true. Besides, you get to pick the ones you like best to send to your designer.”
Leah blew out her cheeks. “Okay. I trust you.”
“There you go. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
She crossed her legs. “I don’t think that’s an accurate statement since last time—”
“High school doesn’t count. In my professional opinion, you look amazing, and it will make a huge difference on your site.”
Leah’s mood lifted. “Okay, I can’t wait. When can I see them?”
“Monday is good for me. Late afternoon?”
“That’ll work. I can stop by your studio.”