Chapter 24
PIP
“And that’s a wrap!”
Kit punches her fist in the air, signaling the conclusion of a seemingly endless afternoon of shooting.
“Thank God,” I say, walking up to Kit. “I had no idea working as an actress could be so exhausting.”
“You seem to have enjoyed it,” Kit says, a slight smile on her face as she puts her camera in its case.
“You’re reading too much into it, Kit. Of course, Snickers has his good points. But he’s not my type.”
But even as I speak the words, I have to admit that a small part of me enjoyed his touch. His kiss.
But there’s no point in thinking about that now.
Tomorrow night is Valentine’s Day. We’ll stand together at our wedding rehearsal at the Plaza Hotel, exchange faux vows, and that will be the last I see of him.
I look up as a production assistant approaches, carrying Piglet.
I’d insisted he take an afternoon nap.
“How are you doing, little guy?” I ask, tickling his soft, pink tummy.
Piglet lets forth a sweet, doggy giggle.
“Looks like the two of you are getting along well,” Kit says.
Piglet yips for attention, and I pull him close.
“I’ve never had a dog before,” I tell Kit, stroking him. “Yet since I first saw him this morning, Piglet has completely stolen my heart.”
As if in response, Piglet snuggles against me, his tiny wet snout digging into my neck.
Snickers strolls past. “Capture that shot, Kit. It’s classic.”
Then he stops beside me, his hand landing lightly on my shoulder. There’s something unreadable in his gaze.
“You might not want to get so attached to him, Pip,” he says—his tone impossible to decipher. “You seem to forget this is still a PR campaign. All smoke and mirrors. Make-believe.”
Before I can respond, he’s already walking away.
“What the hell did he mean by that?” I ask Kit.
“Don’t mind him,” Kit says, seeing my perplexed expression. “He’s just jealous.”
“Jealous? Of a dog?”
Kit sighs. “Snickers… has issues. And one of the issues he’s having is messing up my shoot.”
“I thought you said the shots were great.”
“They are. The fans love them! Especially the shots of you and Snickers together.”
For some reason, I flush when she says that. “So what’s the problem?”
She sighs. “More than a few fans on social media have complained that Snickers seems to pull away in the videos and shots featuring Piglet. Some say he’s a dog-hater.”
“What?!”
“I’ve noticed it myself. We need to create more chemistry between him and the dog. At least in front of the camera.”
My arms tighten protectively around Piglet.
“What are you suggesting?”
“A trial by fire,” she says. “I want Snickers to take Piglet for the afternoon.”
Piglet whimpers, squirming in my arms.
“No. Absolutely not.”
Kit raises an eyebrow. “The doggo will be fine. It’s only three hours until you two are scheduled to have dinner at Chez Henri.”
“Three hours is an eternity when it comes to a tiny, defenseless puppy being babysat by a self-centered egotist. Snickers doesn’t know the first thing about dogs. He’ll probably tie Piglet outside a bar while he downs shots of tequila.”
“Snickers is more responsible than you think,” Kit counters.
I think about his near strip show at Rock Center. “Responsible? Right. I’ve only had Piglet a handful of hours, but I love him. If anything happened?—”
“Nothing will happen,” Kit interrupts. “Trust me.”
My pulse races with anxiety.
But logic suggests Kit is right.
Snickers will only have Piglet for a brief time.
And in his short little life, Piglet has managed to survive the dog shelter.
Could three hours with Snickers be worse?
“What makes you think Snickers will agree to this?”
“I have excellent powers of persuasion. I’ll convince Snickers. The dog, please.” Kit says.
“His name is Piglet.”
Taking a deep breath, I give Piglet one last hug, then surrender him to Kit.
“Remind Snickers that he must be responsible!”
As I watch them walk away, Piglet squirms out of Kit’s grasp.
His little head turns to face me over Kit’s shoulder. Then he raises a paw and yips in a mournful tone.
The sight of him tears at my heart.
I turn away, knowing there’s nothing I can do but pray Snickers keeps Piglet safe.