“Oh my God, thank you, Gemma! You’re a lifesaver!” I shot Aaron a look as I retreated back to the car to get Lady’s supplies. Whatever this “bet” was about, he was going to spill the beans next time we crossed paths.
He waved and ducked inside as Gemma followed me to the car and gathered everything she needed to take care of Lady for the day.
“Thanks again, Gemma!” I called through the driver’s side window as I backed out the drive minutes later. Gemma took Lady’s paw and made her wave like a baby as I drove off, a huge grin on her face.
I could only hope Nick didn’t murder me when he realized he’d just inherited a puppy.
“You what?” Alesha roared loudly enough that all chatter ceased as every eyeball in The Siren darted over to us.
“Shhhh!” I grabbed her arm and jerked her toward the kitchen, out of sight. When the door was shut, I turned to face her and flung my arms over my chest. “I gave her to Nick.”
Alesha’s face was a deep shade of pink and it had nothing to do with the heat rolling from the commercial oven that was baking trays of cookies on the other side of the small kitchen. She’d come barreling into the shop around three o’clock, ranting and raving that Lady had gone missing. After I told her that Lady was safe with Nick, she’d channeled all of her terror into rage and pointed it right at me.
“She’s my dog, Carly! You had no right!”
A hollow laugh ripped from my throat. “I had no right? You’re living under my roof, Leash! My rules. I told you that the dog was to be kept out of my stuff and you promised you’d take care of her and keep her out of trouble. You didn’t hold up your end of that bargain.”
“I was out for a little bit, God. How much could she do in an hour?” Alesha threw her hands up in the air to add emphasis to her point.
I didn’t blink at her gesture and her eyes only got darker. “Where were you? You really think I’m going to believe that you woke up, got ready, and left the house before I woke up at four?”
“I did!”
“Right. And pigs flew past the coffee shop this morning.” I pushed past her and went back to the front of the shop at the sound of the bell on the front door.
“Good afternoon, Marcus,” I said, greeting the middle aged man at the counter, making sure to plaster on a sweet smile. Marcus was a regular at the cafe. He retired in his mid-thirties from a high-pressure corporate job and spends his time day trading from his beach front house. He comes in every day for a dry cap and a cinnamon biscotti. Never changing. Which was good since my mind was still locked on the mid-progress battle with Alesha. I made his order on autopilot, keeping my smile cemented in place, and then turned back to Alesha in the doorway as soon as he’d paid, tipped, and left the counter to go out to the patio.
“This isn’t up for debate, so I don’t know why you’re standing there like that,” I growled at her, jutting my chin in a stubborn nod at her tightly folded arms and deep scowl. “If you’re staying here, then put on an apron and go offer refills. If not, then go back to the house and clean up the mess Lady left in her wake this morning.”
Alesha stared me down for a long minute. “I was taking a surfing lesson,” she muttered, pushing off the wall.
“What?”
She pivoted around to face me on her way around the counter. “I was taking a surfing lesson. That’s why I was up so early this morning. I had my alarm set to vibrate so I wouldn’t wake you up. The guy who led the class said the early morning waves are best for beginners. I signed up a week ago down at the community center.”
My heart sank as she laid out her explanation. She wasn’t lying.
“You could have told me. I would have watched Lady for you,” I replied, my voice softening from the dull roar it had been in the kitchen. I rubbed at my temples, massaging away the tension that was pinching my head like a vice.
Alesha shrugged. “I didn’t figure it would be a big deal. I shut Lady in my room. She was still asleep when I left and I didn’t think I’d be gone that long.”
“Why didn’t you leave a note or something? You could have texted?”
She dropped her eyes to the floor between us for a moment. “I don’t know. I wasn’t thinking.”
“All right.” I heaved a sigh. I was so worn out from fighting and arguing with her over and over again. How did people do this full-time? I had no idea. Maybe that was why you had so many years until they were teenagers. Prep time to deal with the drama.