Mayor Martinez chuckled. “So there’s a bit of a cats versus dogs rivalry, huh? Which is better, cats or dogs?”
Caleb said “dogs” at the same time Lauren said “cats.”
“We’re very excited to see such a wide range of successful, flourishing businesses on Whitman Street,” said the Mayor, still chuckling. “Anything else on this block we should be sure to see?”
“Julie’s Closet across the street,” said Paige. “It’s a really nice thrift store. The owner is picky about what she’ll take on consignment, but you can get some amazing deals there if you’re shopping for clothes.”
“Stories,” said Evan. “They sell new and used books.”
“Bloom’s is the best florist in the neighborhood,” said Lauren. “And Stitches, the yarn store over there? They’re very popular.”
“I’m glad so many independent businesses are thriving here,” said Mayor Martinez.
Caleb had to swallow the snort. The development of downtown Brooklyn meant rising rents, to the point that a lot of mom-and-pop businesses were getting pushed out of the area. Whitman Street was like a unique bubble, where these little businesses could still thrive…for now. The chain pharmacy on the corner and the fancy boutique gym across the street were signs that corporate giants were encroaching, too. Some parts of the street were populated mostly by banks and cell phone stores—the sorts of businesses that could afford the astronomical rents. Not to mention that empty café across the street that would surely be some new chain restaurant now that a big developer had gotten a hold of it.
But why burst the mayor’s bubble today?
This building at least was owned by an eccentric rich woman who loved animals enough to want animal-centric businesses occupying her first-floor storefronts.
Speaking of the devil, Diane breezed outside then, floating out from the residential entrance to the building. “Oh, Marco, it’s lovely to see you.” She walked right up to the mayor, and they kissed each other’s cheeks. “I see you’ve met some of my fine young employees.”
“This cat café must have been your idea,” said Mayor Martinez.
“Yes, it was.” Diane chuckled. “Lauren does an amazing job running it, though.”
The mayor and the senator left a short time later to talk to some of the other businesses along Whitman Street, leaving Caleb feeling a bit like he’d been integrated into the fabric of the neighborhood a little. Diane even turned toward him and said, “Hanging out with the girls today instead of seeing patients?”
“We had some cancellations, so I’m checking out the festival,” he said.
“The street closures are probably making it hard to get over here if you’re traveling by car.”
“I imagine so.”
Diane nodded thoughtfully. Hank sat at her feet and let out a little “whumpf” to get her attention. She smiled and pet his head. “Hi, Hank. How are you, big fella? I hope you’re not thinking about trying to get any of the cats?”
Sunday meowed as if to register her displeasure.
Diane laughed. “Oh, I do enjoy festivals like this, though. It feels like spring has finally arrived. That was a hell of a winter, wasn’t it?”
It certainly had been. Caleb nodded. “I’m glad it’s over.”
Diane pat his shoulder. “Well, have a good afternoon with my girls from the Cat Café. I’m going to go find a funnel cake.”
Caleb took a deep breath and shook his head as she walked away. “I should probably get back to work and give Rachel the rest of these empanadas,” he said to Lauren. He reached out his hand to take Hank’s leash.
Lauren handed it over. “All right. We’ll be here until sundown if you get bored again. Then Pop is hosting a party for the vendors who participated in the street fair today, so Evan and I plan to get our martini on if you want to join us.”
“I’ll think about it, although I should probably get Hank home when my shift is over.” Trying to have a conversation in a crowded bar was not really Caleb’s idea of a good time. “Thanks for showing me and Hank around.”
“No problem. I’ll see you around, Caleb.”
“Yeah.” He went back inside, contemplating the fact that, had they been a couple, they might have hugged or made more concrete plans than “see you around.” It felt a little wrong to just leave Lauren after they’d spent a pleasant hour together, but… They weren’t a couple.
That’s what Caleb kept telling himself, anyway.
Chapter 18
“So, okay,” Paige said at the next staff meeting. “Have you heard about these services that bring puppies to offices to help employees calm down?”
