Page 11 of Too Fast To Fall
No trouble.Good God, how long had it been since someone had sad that to him about anything? “That’s such good news.” He meant that.He really did.
“I need to take care of a few things while the team is packing up, but it was really nice to meet you, Piper.” Isabel turnedand patted Emilio’s shoulder. “You know what to do,” she muttered.
“Bye, Isabel,” Piper called. “Thank you. For everything.”
“You’re more than welcome.” Isabel closed the door behind her, leaving them alone.
Emilio cleared his throat, wondering why he was hesitating to simply come right out with it. What would be so terrible abouthaving this lovely, agreeable person care for his dog? Nothing. Sure, she was attractive, but this would be a business arrangement.How hard could it be to ignore her sweet smile or stormy blue eyes? He’d simply treat her as the solution to one of his greatestproblems.
“Piper, would you consider being a dog nanny? For me?” Embarrassment flushed his face. “I mean for Gus.”
Piper’s eyes went impossibly wide. “Seriously?” A nervous titter leaked from her lips.
“Is something funny?”
“No. Sorry.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “I’m just surprised. Are you serious? Like actually serious?”
“Extremely serious.”
“I’ve never been a full-time dog nanny. I think it’s pretty expensive.”
He wanted to laugh, but he didn’t. If only she knew what he’d be willing to pay for the peace of mind of knowing Gus was happyand safe. Emilio’s financial situation and that of most people were not the same, but he didn’t believe in being rude aboutit. “I’m not worried about the cost. Gus is too important to me. The question is whether you’d be willing to leave behindyour life and travel from race to race. Spend much of your time in London.”
“England?”
Emilio nodded and stepped closer. “That’s where I live. I moved there when I signed with Mega. I needed to be close to theirheadquarters.” He still didn’t refer to London as home. Not yet, and maybe never. He hadn’t even unpacked all his things.
“Wow. Okay...”
Emilio didn’t like the sound of that. The hesitation. Was this going to be yet another thing that would go wrong? Then he’dhave to explain to Isabel he wasn’t competent enough to hire adog nanny. “Do you have questions?”
“The big problem is my sister’s wedding. She’s getting married in five weeks. I have to be here for that.” Piper got up fromthe couch.
“Five weeks? June tenth?” Emilio mentally shuffled through the F1 calendar. “You can come back for it. There’s no race thatweekend.”
Gus jumped down from the couch and parked himself next to Piper. He put one of his front legs around her calf.
“Right. But I’m the maid of honor. And I’m supposed to do a bunch of stuff for her. It’s more than just one day.”
Excuses. That’s all that was. “Sounds important.”
“It is. It’s my sister. My family.”
“I understand. I’m sure we can work something out.”
“Plus, Fido & Friends would have to assign someone else to my current clients. I have this one Australian shepherd that’svery tough to handle.”
Emilio didn’t want to argue with her. She clearly didn’t want the job. He needed to move on. “Sounds like that’s a no. Gus.Come.” Emilio patted his thigh. Gus did not move. Emilio could’ve sworn Gus gave him the stink eye. “Gus! Come!” he said moreforcefully.
Gus sat back on his hind legs and wrapped his other front leg around Piper’s calf. He pressed the side of his head againsther knee.
“Gus. Buddy. You’re so sweet, but I have to go.” Piper took a step with her free leg, then tried to shake her other leg, butGus wouldn’t let go. She peered at Emilio like she was helpless. “Maybe this is why you’ve gone through so many dog sitters.”
“This isn’t like him. He almost always listens.” Emilio stepped next to Piper and crouched down, threading his hands underGus’s belly to pull him off. The dog would not budge. “Gus. Off. Off.” Emilio tugged again. Gus growled. “Whoa. Okay.” Emiliorelented and stood.
“Gus. What is going on with you?” Piper leaned down to pet him, and he peered up at her, resting his chin on her thigh.
Gus had never acted like this around anyone. Clearly, he didn’t want Piper to leave. Emilio had to try one more time, andsince they hadn’t talked about money at all, he uttered a ridiculous number.
