Page 27 of Lesbian CEO
“Just trying to help these dogs find new homes.”
“Are you sure you’re not here for a photo op?” She gestures to the guests and volunteers who are taking pictures. I haven’t seen any reporters yet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t here.
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone heard about your plan to completely take down Toni’s company,” she says. “It’s a bit cruel.”
“I think you’ve been misinformed.”
She hasn’t. She’s read the news, just like everyone else, and she knows that this thing between me and Toni is weird, awkward, and complicated. She knows what the media wants her to know, but luckily, since Toni and I spoke with Piper, the only “proof” anyone has of our relationship is that we’re just two gal pals hanging out.
Our past relationship has luckily stayed private so far.
“Ah, perhaps,” Kendall says. “So, what are you doing after this?” It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her to fuck off and that I don’t want to talk to her. That would be mean, though, and I wouldn’t put it past Kendall to be recording this conversation somehow. She’s always been sneaky, and unfortunately for her, that doesn’t really bode well when it comes to relationships.
One thing I’ve learned is that if you can’t trust your partner, you have no business being in a relationship with them. That was just one of the reasons my breakup with Toni hurt so much. She was the first woman I really met who didn’t care about the money. She didn’t care about the fact that my parents had so much cash. She never asked about it and I never offered. Money was something that was completely removed from the equation of our relationship, and I appreciated that.
I still do.
Before I can respond, I’m saved because Toni and Kayla come back. Kayla has a small blue heeler dog with her: a potential adoptee named Pretzel.
“I want to adopt Pretzel,” Kayla says proudly.
“Woah,” I grin. “Really? That’s so awesome!”
“Let’s get the paperwork started,” Toni says. She slides into the seat next to me, and when I look back to where Kendall was standing a moment ago, I realize she’s gone.
12
Toni
Pretzel gets adopted. So do all of the other cats and dogs we brought to the park. Jerry is so happy that he calls his granddaughter on the phone and invites her out for ice cream. It’s just after two o’clock when he tells us he has to go and hurries off, scurrying away.
“I’ve never seen that guy so excited,” Jessica says. She grins as she watches Jerry leave. He reminds me of my own granddad. I miss that guy every day. I’m sure Jerry has people he’s lost, too, but he somehow manages to keep on smiling. I think I’ve got a lot I could learn from a guy like him.
“He’s a character,” I admit. I don’t know whether he’s a good character or a bad one, but he’s something. Jerry isn’t perfect, but he makes volunteering at the shelter much easier. Now that he’s gone, the other volunteers get busy cleaning up, and Jessica and I find ourselves standing alone by a maple tree.
“How was the day for you?” Jessica asks. She smiles at me. It feels genuine and real. I know I can’t read too much into it, but it’s hard not to. Being around her like this feels comfortable and familiar. I realize this isn’t love, but I feel at ease. I’ve missed that feeling.
“Good. Overwhelming,” I admit. I don’t like to share when I’m feeling out of my element, but Jessica and I are going to be spending the rest of the day together with that networking event we’re going to, so I think it’s important that I be honest with her. At the very least, it’ll give her the chance to show some empathy if I start feeling cranky or acting weird later.
“Overwhelming?” Jessica doesn’t seem bothered by this question. Just curious. “How so?”
“It was a lot of chaos. Events like this always wear me out.”