Page 9 of Set My Soul Ablaze

I shook my head and held the freshly groomed Chihuahua in my arms. I rubbed between her ears as I replied, “If it’s paired with fish or shrimp, then I’m not putting sugar on it. Paired with sausage, bacon, and eggs, I’m gonna sprinkle a little sugar on it.”

Clareese did a little jig. “I knew you were cool people, Mali. You see, this is why I love you. You’re the best of both worlds.”

“Hell naw!” Kira shouted with a laugh. “Mali’s tastebuds are trash just like yours.”

“Hey, Clareese was right. What you eat doesn’t make me shit. So, at the end of the day, you eat your grits how you want to, and I’ma eat mine how I want to.” I shrugged.

“You better say that, boss lady!” Clareese cackled with amusement.

“Y’all start cleaning up, hell. I don’t know how y’all end up on these controversial topics every shift.” I held Lucy in my arms as I cleaned up my work area.

“It makes the shift go faster,” Diego responded.

“Y’all are a mess,” I stated. As I tossed the empty shampoo bottle into the trash can, the front door chimed.

“That must be your mommy, Lucy,” I sang into the dog’s ear. We walked back out to the front, and the smile on my face instantly fell.

Nausea consumed me.

Anger and disgust coursed through my blood.

“Juda, what are you doing here?” I asked cautiously.

“I gave you a little time to cool off. Are you ready to work through this?” he asked with a smile on his face.

My mouth opened and closed several times as I tried to find the right response. “Wait . . . What?”

“We were both upset the other night and said things neither of us meant to say. It’s cool, though. I’m ready to fix this shit, baby.” Juda stepped closer to me, but I took a step back.

“Juda. I’m at work right now, and my client is coming to pick up her baby. Please don’t do this at my place of business.” My teeth gritted together as I tried to keep my voice even and void of the anger burning through my veins.

Lucy’s body visibly stiffened in my arms. She could sense my discomfort, so I continued to rub her ears as gently as I could. I didn’t want her to attack Juda. Chihuahuas were very territorial, and Lucy was no different. She would bark and nip at anybody she deemed a threat.

“Baby, I don’t want another second to go by with us at odds. I love you, and I want to come home.”

Before I could reply, the door chimed again. My eyes moved past Juda’s tall frame to look at Christina. She approached us with a bright smile.

“Hey, Christina. Lucy was a doll today.” I gave her my full attention. I pushed the anger to the back burner to uphold the exemplary customer engagement I prided myself on. I enjoyed leaving a positive impression with the clients who trusted me with their pets. Juda’s presence wouldn’t change that. From the corner of my eye, I saw Juda’s jaw clench. When I didn’t divertmy attention away from Christina and Lucy, he made his way out of the entrance. I exhaled visibly.

“I’m so happy to hear it. My diva loves to get pampered.” Christina took Lucy into her arms, and the tiny chihuahua scattered wet kisses all over her cheeks.

“It’s always a pleasure to pamper Lucy. She’s one of the few smalls who let me paint their nails.”

Christina nodded with a smile. “I’m so glad she sits still for you. When I try at home, she fusses.”

“She’s a doll for sure. I look forward to seeing y’all again soon. Diego, could you close out Christina for me? I need to handle something personal outside.” I looked over my shoulder at Diego, who nodded immediately.

“Of course, Mali.” Diego walked over to the monitor to close out Christina’s bill.

The anger slowly returned to my body as I tossed my apron over the counter and walked outside. The sun greeted me and kissed my skin. The warmth usually comforted me, but the sight of Juda, leaning against his lifted truck with a scowl on his face, made my stomach churn.

“You better have a damn good reason for coming to my place of business and embarrassing me in front of my employees and clients. What the fuck were you thinking, Juda?” I asked in a low shout.

His dark eyes perused my frame as he crossed his arms over his chest, flexing his muscular build. “I didn’t embarrass you.”

“You did.”

“No, I didn’t. I pulled up on you to discuss a misunderstanding . . .”