Chapter 7 Lia #2
“Being in the clear and being on the hook for that kind of money seem like two separate things from where I sit,” I say coldly. “Is Leo’s name on that house? Couldn’t we fight you taking it if we hired a lawyer? Because we will.”
I immediately think of the money Tiny offered to give me for school. It’s not enough to cover Tim’s bail, but it should be enough to help us get some answers from someone who knows our rights.
The fact is that I’d give up my plans, my education, to save Leo’s house.
Oddly, it doesn’t surprise me. Even while standing beside this stupidly sexy bounty hunter, or whatever the hell he is, Leo has a piece of my heart.
Now’s not the time to overthink it. I hope the threat of hiring a lawyer cools Josh off.
“You have every right to hire a lawyer,” Josh says.
He leans close to me, but it’s not creepy, not suggestive.
I feel like he’s trying to be kind. “I can’t say I disagree with you.
I wouldn’t be very comfortable right now if I were in your shoes.
Or Leo’s shoes. And you’re right, I’m the one on the hook for Tim’s bail.
The issue of collateral and actually claiming it—it’s not easy, not simple, not fast. I know that, and you do too.
So now, what do you want to do about this?
” He studies my face. “Because I don’t think you would have called me here if you didn’t have some kind of plan. ”
This is where my plan gets a little bit uncomfortable.
“Lia?” he presses. “What are you thinking?”
I play a little coy, stalling for time. I’m not sure that I trust Josh not to use any information I give him against us. But I’m sure that the best and fastest way to make things right is to find Tim. I close the laptop and look away from Josh. I want my head clear as I explain what I have in mind.
“We went to Checkers last night. That was a total bust. Part of me thinks that if Tim or this woman, this Juliette, this wife person, whoever she is—if she is hanging around, having Leo be anywhere near would be a red flag. If they saw him or his truck, they’d run for the hills.
If they haven’t already. But they don’t know me from Adam.
I’ve never met them, and I wouldn’t know them if I saw them. ”
“Right,” Josh says.
“Why don’t you take me to Checkers tonight?” I ask.
I know even as I ask him that spending any time alone with the enemy like this should make me feel like shit. I’m doing this for Leo, though. For the good of the house. For the good of the two of us, one roommate to another.
I shove thoughts of Leo away, of the night we spent on the couch. I’m doing this for him, for Leo. Even if the idea of spending time alone with Josh feels like I’m doing something wrong.
“Let me get this straight.” Josh’s eyes sparkle, and his tone lightens. “Are you asking me out a date?”
I give him a playful wink and shrug, making sure I toss my hair a little bit so my cleavage is fully on display. I might toy with Josh, but right now, my focus has to be on the goal. Saving Leo’s house.
“I’m focused on helping my friend,” I clarify. “I just want to find Juliette or, even better, Tim.”
Josh tilts his head and grins. “Whatever you say, Lia,” he says. “I’m in.”
There’s a slight twist in my stomach as he agrees.
I guess part of me hoped he might refuse.
Say it was too dangerous or not my place or something.
But Josh may be as desperate as I am, as Leo and I are.
We may be able to buy some time, but unless Leo’s got money hidden under a mattress, which I know he doesn’t, I don’t see what other choice we have.
I can at least try. Even if that means it feels weird, almost wrong.
“Okay,” I say. “It’s a plan.” I stress the word plan.
“Should I pick you up?” Josh asks. “Seven o’clock? Your place?”
“Make it eight,” I say.
“Eight, it is,” he says. “And then what? Straight to Checkers? We doin’ dinner first, dinner after, what are we talking?”
I shake my head. He’s definitely trying to date me. I sigh and put a hand against his chest and flutter my eyes at him. “You are something else, Josh Arrow.”
“Aronowicz,” he says, pronouncing his last name for me. “But I love to hear Arrow coming from your sweet lips.”
I run my tongue over my lower lip and meet his gorgeous gray-green eyes. “Eight o’clock,” I tell him, giving his chest a tiny shove. “Now, go. I have work to do.”
Josh chuckles. “See you tonight, sweetheart.”
After Josh takes off, I check the time on my phone. I’m surprised Leo’s not back yet. He hasn’t texted me back yet either, which makes me nervous.
But since I haven’t heard from him this morning, I start to worry. Maybe he’s mad. Maybe he doesn’t know what to do after last night. We crossed a line.
But now I have to wonder…
“Excuse me?” A woman’s voice startles me from my thinking.
“Hi, can I help you?” I ask.
She’s a teeny tiny thing, and she immediately bends down to pet my dogs. “I’m wondering if you do boarding here?” she asks. “Like overnight or longer stays? Can you tell me a little bit about your place?”
A customer. Finally.
“Yeah, absolutely.” I come around and greet her warmly. “How did you hear about us? I’m still fairly new in business, but I’m thrilled you stopped by.” My dogs are wagging their tails and snuggling up to her for attention. “Sorry about them,” I say. “Tell me about your dog—or dogs?”
We chat a few minutes about how she found us—just driving by—and she has a large breed dog, which is why she’s looking for a place big enough to give her black Lab room to run when she travels for work.
“Many places keep the dogs in kennels the whole time,” she says.
I offer to give her a tour of the place, especially the outdoor area. “The back is fully enclosed, and any pets that stay with me for exercise or playtime have plenty of outside breaks during the day.” I turn around to lead her on the start of my tour.
“What about overnight?” she asks. “Do you have any techs who watch the animals overnight? Or would they be locked up all alone here overnight?”
She looks like any dog mama would—not too happy about her baby being left alone overnight.
“I don’t have overnight staff yet,” I explain, “but I have security cameras, so I monitor the dogs both on camera and with audio. If any of the dogs are sick or in distress, we would make arrangements with you beforehand to make sure they are taken care of with a specialized care plan. We do charge extra for that, but we can be flexible.”
I show the woman the backyard and take her all the way around the property to show her that the back is fully secure.
None of the dogs could get off the property while they are playing or taking potty breaks.
We walk back around Leo’s shop, and I notice he’s still not in.
As we pass by Alice’s office, Alice lifts a hand to wave, and I wave back.
I can’t wait to tell her I may have a new customer.
A new client and a plan to save Leo’s house.
It’s going to be a great day.