Page 95 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘No one does anything on Wednesday nights,’ the publicist said. ‘And everyone loves free food and booze, especially with a little celebrity gloss.’ She was actively promoting that Ethan James, local movie star, would be in attendance.
‘Is Ethan okay with me using his name like this?’ Sera asked. She lay on her couch in her office, trying to stay calm, with her phone propped up on her boobs.
‘Absolutely. He’s been looking for a charity to become publicly involved with for a while now. Something he can make his own. Not one everyman and his dog is attached to. No pun intended.’ She puffed out a tight chuckle. ‘Rose’s Rescue ticks all his boxes. Unique and local, and who doesn’t love animals? It’s going to bring him some great kudos, and ties in nicely with the new movie.
‘Oh.’
‘And obviously, you two seem to have hit it off,’ Lena added.
Sera flicked her thumbnail on her teeth. Why hadn’t he mentioned wanting to back Rose’s Rescue publicly? Not that his support would be a bad thing, but it did make the whole dating scenario a bit… uncomfortable. She shook her head. She’d talk to him about it later.
‘It all sounds fantastic,’ she said. ‘I’ll send you through a list of the people I know who’ll be there.’
‘Just keep it under thirty.’
Sera laughed. ‘It’s more like ten. Tops.’
Lena was silent for a beat. ‘I’ve put you down for thirty guests, so you’re welcome to invite a few more of your friends. Just let me know the final number by Thursday.’
Sera’s mind kept running over and over what Lena told her about Ethan looking for a local charity, and how it would be great for him and his new movie. If he hadn’t rocked up to Toby’s door first, she might have been suspicious of his intentions. But there was no way he could be using her for research or appearances – he was too genuine. His kisses were too genuine. She could tell.Though he is an actor…
‘Sera,’ her mother barked. ‘I’m talking to you.’
‘Sorry, Mum,’ Sera said, shaking off her thoughts.
They were sitting on Sera’s verandah, drinking tea.
‘I was saying,’ her mother went on. ‘Linda has lots of friends. Just tell her you need generous, rich people.’ She took a sip from her cup. ‘Will Toby be there?’
‘Of course he will.’
‘And your movie star?’
‘He’s why the other people are coming.’
‘And how are the boys getting along?’
Sera looked at her cup.They hate each other. Dagger-eyes at ten paces.‘They haven’t really seen that much of each other.’
‘You’re not ignoring poor Toby, are you?’
Sera almost spluttered. She was doing anything but ignoringpoorToby. She’d thought more about Toby in the last couple of weeks than she had in two years. ‘No, Mum,’ she said, impatience edging into her voice. ‘I see him all the time.’ She swallowed a sigh. ‘I should probably get on with some work. I have an article on environmental cremation to write.’
‘At least when your father and I shuffle off, you’ll have all the answers,’ her mother said with a titter. She smoothed down her skirt and looked out at the front yard. ‘We might need to sort out the garden before your party. Your grandmother’s roses look a fright.’
Sera slumped in her chair.
‘Don’t worry.’ She patted her daughter’s hand. ‘My mother’s green thumb skipped me too.’
‘Go get ’em, girl,’ Sera bellowed at the T-rex on the screen. She was face down on her couch, a bowl of popcorn on the floor andJurassic Worldon her television. Buffy was somehow squashed in behind her on the cushions, and Harry was lying exactly where her hanging hand could scratch his head.
She’d spent the day making lists with Tia of the jobs they needed to tackle before the fundraiser, and had just been about to buckle down to some thrilling cremation research when the couple who’d visited Harry called to say they’d decided against adopting him. They wanted a Cavoodle puppy instead.
‘But we’re going to make a donation to the rescue,’ they’d said. ‘Maybe you can buy Harry a new toy from us.’
Sera had wished them the best through slightly gritted teeth, thanked them for their support, hung up and cried.
‘We’ll get you a home, little guy,’ she said to Harry as she scratched his ear. When her phone vibrated across the coffee table, she groaned. She stretched out and swiped answer without looking.
