After breakfast, we head down to the lobby and hail a taxi. Time to go to the expo. 

One of the things I’m really starting to appreciate about Yessi is that being with her is opening up my eyes to a different, more peaceful way of life. While I’m really leaning toward not selling designer puppies at Doggy Style, I think I can safely say I’ll always eat meat. Yessi taught me some things I didn’t know at breakfast, and I’m sure she’ll teach me more, but I want to enjoy my life. I want to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh and the joys of fine cuisine. I want to live my life to the fullest.

Over in Iraq, I realized that at any moment, my time could be up. My buddies died over there, gave their lives for our country, so I vowed to live every day like it’s my last, and dammit, if I want a juicy steak and butter-poached lobster, I’m going to have it. 

Now that my hunger’s been sated, my mind drifts to a different kind of appetite. Yessi is sitting next to me in the back of the taxi, wearing a sexy sundress I want to rip off of her. I caught a peek of her pink lace panties when the trade winds blew particularly hard outside. Yessi gasped, quickly tugging down the hem of her dress, but the image was already burned in my brain. As much as I’m looking forward to the expo, I can’t wait to get it over with, so I can take her back to the room and finally fuck her. The windows are down in the cab, and a light breeze drifts in, carrying the scent of Yessi’s shampoo over to me. She smells so good, a sweet and spicy scent, mixed with sunshine.

We arrive at the Hawaiian convention center, I pay and tip the driver, and we walk into the building. Throngs of people crowd the entrance, and there are vendors everywhere. I’m overwhelmed by the site of leashes, collars, dog clothes, and hell, even cat sweaters. Would cats even wear something like that?

I shake my head to clear my mind and give Yessi’s hand a squeeze. Coming here was so important to her. I want to make sure she gets everything she wants out of it. “Where do you want to go first?”

She thumbs through a schedule that she picked up at a table by the door. “Well, it kicks off with the keynote on No-Kill USA. Then there’s a talk about fundraising for rescues at ten and, at noon, there’s a panel on reimagining your dog adoption strategy, followed by a class on creating powerful content for showcasing your adoptable pets. I’m so excited!”

I’d rather spend the rest of my life eating Yessi’s crappy vegan food. “Sounds fascinating. Hey, why don’t you go to the talks, and I’ll walk around here and look at products. Then we can get out of here.”

Her face falls. “I thought you wanted to go with me. I thought you wanted to learn.”

No, I wanted to get laid. But I actually like her also. Ah fuck. This means the world to her. I have to make an effort. “I do. Hey, I’m sorry. Tell you what, how about if I go to the keynote and then we meet up again later for the class? I should really check out these vendors while we’re here and do some networking.”

Yessi purses her lips before nodding thoughtfully. “Sure, that’ll work.”

Kill me now.

I follow Yessi like a love-sick puppy to the first lecture hall. The place is crowded with a bunch of women, most of them way older than Yessi. I stick out like a dick on a cake.

Yessi is introducing herself to people, but she noticeably doesn’t introduce me. I guess hanging with a puppy store owner isn’t good for her image.

Finally, a lady with gray hair and a kind smile begins to speak. The lights dim, and I stare at the screen on the wall.

Once the lecturer starts showing slides of all the homeless dogs in shelters and the abused dogs at breeders, I actually choke back tears. It’s worse than watching that Sarah McLachlan “Angel” video. 

Fuck. Images flood my head. These poor dogs… Suffering. Killed in gas chambers. Abused. Bred and that tossed out like trash. 

And I’m contributing to this problem. What the fuck is wrong with me?

There are so many great homeless pets who need homes. Like Gidget and Cuffs. These shelter dogs get killed every day because people would rather buy cute puppies like the ones I’m selling.

But I can make a difference. I can showcase adoptable homeless pets. With Yessi’s help, we can save thousands of dogs.

I don’t need any more time. I make my final decision on the spot. Pulling out my phone, I text Hugh.

Yessi is enthralled by the talk, scribbling notes and openly crying when she sees the pictures of the pets. I squeeze her thigh and show her the text I sent to Hugh. 

She smiles and kisses me in front of the entire room. “Thank you.” 

I kiss her back. In just a few days, she has already changed my life for the better. 

I glance down at my phone when it vibrates.

Fuck. He is right that we need to turn a profit. I quickly hide my phone. I don’t want Yessi to see that message. I’ll deal with Hugh later tonight. 

The lecture ends, and Yessi and I walk out of the room. 

And run straight into my parents.

Fuck. 

A look of disappointment registers on my father’s face. I pause for a moment, not sure if I should reach out my hand to shake his or attempt a hug.

“Preston,” he says stiffly, his body language completely closed off. Guess neither of those options is viable.

“Sir, I didn’t think you would be here.”

“Your mother wanted to come.”

My mom looks beautiful as always, although there’s maybe just a little more silver in her hair than the last time I saw her. I feel a twinge of guilt; I really should visit more often, but I’ve been busting ass to get Doggy Style ready in time for the grand opening. I make a mental note to at least call her more often. She hugs me close, and I hug her back just as tight. “Well, this is a wonderful surprise. And who is this lovely lady?” She turns to Yessi, eyes full of questions but I know my mother is far too polite to ask.

“This is Yessi. She runs a dog rescue in Southern California.”

Yessi extends out her hand for my mother to shake, but instead, my mother gives her an embrace just as tight as the one she just gave me. I watch as Yessi awkwardly returns the hug.

My dad eyes Yessi hard, focusing on her tattoos. “Is she your girlfriend or just another one of the girls you use and discard?”

Damn, why does he have to be such a dick? I grab Yessi’s hand and notice that her cheeks are red, although I can’t tell if she’s embarrassed or angry. This isn’t at all how I pictured having the ‘defining the relationship’ talk with her, but I’m not going to let my dad drive the conversation. “We recently started dating, and I’m crazy about her. She’s smart and compassionate and isn’t afraid to stand up to me.”

Yessi smiles and squeezes my hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Evans. You must be very proud of Preston. His new store is beautiful and will definitely be a success, especially since he just made the decision to no longer sell puppies and only showcase rescue dogs in his store. He’ll be saving so many lives.”

My mom brightens up. “Oh Preston, that’s wonderful!”

My father, however, remains stoic. “Nice to meet you, Yessi. You seem like a smart young lady, so let me give you a tip about my son—don’t believe a word he says. He’s probably just using you for publicity like he used Kira.”

I clench my fist. “You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Dad.”

I have to get out of here.

“Bye, Mom.”

“Bye, sweetheart,” she replies, her large gray eyes full of sadness.

I walk out of the expo and head toward the beach.