That was a statement that was so comforting and so frightening at the same time. Because the reality was, there were things about Sabrina that Adley didn’t know yet. Once she did, she might not want to figure out anything except how to walk out the door.
They spent the next hour in the pet store, buying things for the puppy. Food, toys, a bed, a crate, a collar, a leash, a harness, more toys, some treats.
“This little boy was certainly found by the right people,” Beth said as she rang up all the purchases. Sabrina handed over her credit card, not even blinking at the astronomical total. Somehow, it was totally worth it.
The puppy was tired. No looking out the window this time as they settled back into Adley’s car. He nuzzled into Sabrina’s neck on the ride home, and soon, tiny little snores could be heard.
“Is he the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Adley asked, whispering like she’d wake him up if she talked too loudly. She gave him a gentle pat as they sat at a red light.
“Thank you,” Sabrina said, and it kind of just blurted from her mouth. “I really appreciate you dropping everything to help me.”
Adley’s smile was warm. Soft. God, she was beautiful. “You’re welcome.”
Back at Sabrina’s, they unloaded their goods. The puppy was still sleepy, but Sabrina wanted to get him bathed and cleared of fleas before letting him wander around the house. The last thing she needed was a flea infestation. She filled the kitchen sink with warm water, and together, she and Adley scrubbed him clean. They used the tiny comb Beth had sold them to comb through his hair and make sure the fleas and flea dirt were washed away. By the time they were drying him in a soft, fluffy towel, he was practically falling asleep standing up.
“I’ll get his bed,” Adley said, left, then returned with the small circle of softness. “Where do you want it?”
“Let’s just put it in the living room for now.” She followed Adley there, the puppy still in the towel in her arms.
Adley set the bed down in a corner where it could be seen from the couch. “And do you have a sweatshirt or something that smells like you? It might make him feel more secure.”
Sabrina loved how Adley thought of that. “I think I left one on the chair in the dining room last night.” She’d been working in there and gotten chilly.
Adley nodded. “Got it.” And disappeared.
She set the puppy down on the little bed. Already half asleep, he curled up in a ball and, with a big sigh, burrowed right in. He’d eaten a small amount before they bathed him but now seemed more interested in sleeping.
“I wonder if he was so stressed out from being alone and scared that, now that he feels safe, he can’t keep his little eyes open.” She said it as she heard Adley coming back into the room, sweatshirt in hand. “You think?” She turned to look at her, and there was something on her face. Something in her eyes. A shadow. A disappointment? “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Adley walked over to the dog bed and carefully tucked the sweatshirt around the sleeping puppy. He didn’t stir at all, and Sabrina found herself envying such a deep, undisturbed sleep. But her gaze moved back up to Adley’s face. Adley’s eyes were downcast, which was unlike her. Normally, she would look right at Sabrina.
“Adley?”
Adley sat down next to the dog bed and let out a sigh that made her sound like she hadn’t sat down in days. Her brow furrowed as she studied the floor, picked at an invisible spot with her nail. Sabrina almost said her name again, but something about the way she held herself…it kept her voice quiet. She waited.
When Adley finally spoke, it was soft. Quiet. Barely above a whisper. “You have papers and your laptop and stuff on the dining room table. I wasn’t snooping, but…you work for Sweet Heaven?”
Shit.
Oh, shit.
Shit, shit, shit.
She hung her head and sighed almost as heavily as Adley had.“Yeah. I do. I was going to tell you, especially once I realized you own Get the Scoop. But I—”
“You knew?” Adley’s eyes went wide. “You knew and you said nothing?”
“I mean, I didn’t know, not until Monday when I saw your shirt—”
“Oh,” Adley said, and she drew the word out so it seemed to have about fifteen syllables. “That’s why you didn’t have time this week to see me, and you didn’t show up last night.”
“Now wait. That’s not fair—”
“It’s not. I know. You’re right. But, Sabrina…” And here, the worst thing happened. Adley’s eyes welled up, and Sabrina felt it like a hand had reached in and grabbed her heart, slowly squeezing. “Your company is pretty likely gonna put my shop out of business. The shop my grandfather started. And I know that’s not your problem or even your fault, but…” She threw her head back and growled. Literally growled out her anger, her hands balling into fists. When she returned her gaze to Sabrina, the tears had spilled over. “Why did it have to be you? Why?”
“I—” But what could she say? How could she make this better?
“I like you so much.” Just like that, Adley’s anger seemed to have vanished, replaced by sorrow and sadness, and Sabrina didn’t know which was worse.
