The Mr. Right Checklist Sneak Peek

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“I finally did it, Molly,” I say excitedly to my favorite client as I give her a trim. “I put up my website and handed out flyers to start my marriage-proposal business last week, and I already booked my first client. I have been dreaming about this for so long, I can hardly believe it’s finally happening. Guess what it’s called! Get the Yes! How cute is that?”

“It’s better than Let Destiny Do It,” Ruby, my best friend since childhood and my boss, calls out from the other room.

“That was a great name,” I call back.

“It made you sound like a sex worker,” Ruby says with a laugh.

“What does Molly think of your plan?”

I look at the big, lovable Bernese mountain dog I’m grooming. “She’s as excited as I am. Aren’t you, Mol?”

As if on cue, Molly barks.

I kiss her snout and grab a brush to finish grooming her as Ruby breezes into the room with Chipster, a rascally white labradoodle who’s covered in dried mud again. Ruby, on the other hand, looks as stunning as always, and it has less to do with the clothes she’s wearing under her grooming apron, her flawless dark skin, or her chic buzz cut that makes her high cheekbones and dark eyes stand out and more to do with her inner beauty, which radiates from her heart in endless patience and support.

“How are you doing on time?” Ruby asks. “Should we have Laura call Molly’s dad and let him know you’re running late?” Laura runs the front desk of Ruby’s pet grooming business, Perfect Paws.

“Nope. I’ll be done in time.” I went to a neighboring town to drop off flyers before work and have been running behind all day, but the last thing I want is for Laura to call Grumpy Gus and make him even grumpier. The man barely says two words to me as it is. “Did you happen to see the picture of the Chiffon Park gazebo at sunset that I posted on my social pages last night?”

“Yes.” She settles the pooch on the grooming table. “The bouquet of white roses was a nice touch. It made me want to get married again.” She’d met her husband, John, while attending college in New York. I’d helped John plan the perfect scavenger-hunt proposal, and they’d had a simple wedding in our hometown of Rosebell, Georgia.

“I will happily expand my business to include vow-renewal proposals.”

“Once you’re established, you should put together the ceremonies, too. I bet you’d make a killing. Think about it. You’d double your income from working with the same couple.” Ruby glances over as she brushes Chipster. “Have you told your dad yet?”

My chest constricts. I lost my mom when I was eleven. My father raised me alone, and we were as thick as thieves. I was beyond devastated when he passed away unexpectedly a little more than a year ago. I continue to pay his cell phone bill just so I can hear his voice when I miss him or want to share news, or even talk something out like we used to—when I’d ramble and he’d listen. I’d never admit the whole cell phone thing to anyone else, but Ruby is like a sister to me. Which is why, three months ago, after a year of Ruby’s urging, I moved to Harmony Pointe, New York, to start over in the same town where she and John live. So far I love it here, with its cobblestone streets, brick-front eclectic shops, and old-fashioned streetlights.

“I called him as soon as the site went up and the flyers were printed. I know he’s smiling down on me. I’m so excited, I feel like I’m vibrating inside.”

“Really? I couldn’t tell.” She giggles.

“Hush up, you pest.”

“I saw someone pick up one of your flyers at La Love when I was getting coffee earlier, and Heaven said she and Echo have been talking you up to customers.” La Love Café & Gift Shop is located a few doors down from Perfect Paws, in the center of town. It’s owned by the Love family and run by Heaven Love and her brother, Echo.

“They’re the best.”

“How’s your first big job coming along? I still can’t believe you agreed to plan it in such a rush. I mean, a week? That’s asking a lot. You should’ve charged double and gotten it all up front.”

“I know you think so, but I need the experience. As far as the timing goes, it has to be done that fast.” I didn’t even have time to meet with my client in person because the timeline is so tight. We’ve done everything over the phone and through email. “She said after this weekend she won’t see her fiancé for a few months because of their schedules, and she wants to put a ring on it before that happens. Did I tell you she is giving him a ring?”

“No, but that’s cool.”

“I thought so, too. Why wait for the guy to make the move? Anyway, I’ve got the whole thing planned for Saturday. A champagne picnic in the park right by that massive oak tree near the trail. That tree is so beautiful. It’s going to be stunning with draped white silk along the low branches. I bought a white chalkboard and put it in a gold frame on a gold stand, and I’m going to write Be Mine Forever on it in red chalk and decorate the top of it with roses and greenery and baby’s breath.” I shiver with excitement.

“That sounds wonderful and expensive.”

“It’s pricey. I’ve already spent way more than the initial deposit, but it’ll be worth it. Did I tell you I got the six dozen red roses I wanted? I’m lucky the florist could help me out on such short notice, and they said if we do enough business together, they’ll give me a discount. They referred me to a photographer named Ha-Joon. I’m meeting him tomorrow at lunch, and he’s already said he’s available to photograph the event. He was expensive, too, but his social pages are to die for.”

“I’ve seen them. He’s well known around here. He does great work, but are you charging enough to cover his fees, too?”

The truth is, I’ve already spent more than I’m charging for the event, but I don’t want to worry Ruby, so I play it off casually. “I’m not making any money off this one, but it’s a good learning experience, and I want everything to be just right. She has already given me permission to use some of the photos on my website and in marketing materials. That’s saving me from buying stock images, so please don’t lecture me. I know what I’m doing, and everyone in this town has been so kind and receptive to my flyers. Get the Yes is going to be a huge success. I can feel it in my bones. I checked my website this morning, and it’s already had more than a hundred views. That’s not bad without any paid advertising, right?”

“I think it’s great, but why aren’t you advertising? Between your dad’s life insurance and selling his auto repair business, you can afford to run a few local ads.”

“I know, but I want to start slow and grow my business organically while I iron out all the kinks.”

“I get that, but you could—”

“Rubes,” I warn. Ruby is as organized and efficient as I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl. She would be a great resource for all things business related, but she’d take over without even trying. It’s just the way she is, bless her heart. I adore her, but she’d drive me crazy, wanting everything meticulously planned out to the nth degree five years into the future, like she’s done with Perfect Paws. Our friendship is too important to me to risk ruining it over this. Plus, she and John are trying to get pregnant, and it has been a heartbreaking few months for them. She doesn’t need added stress.

“Fine,” she relents. “I’ll zip it about that, but you do realize you’ll have to gussy up for potential clients, right?”

“Why? You don’t think they’ll hire me if I show up covered in pet fur?” My words drip with sarcasm as I glance in the mirror at my cuffed jeans, yellow socks with colorful paw prints on them, and dirty-blond hair that I swear has a mind of its own. It’s in a ponytail right now, but there are wayward strands poking out everywhere, like I walked through a wind tunnel. I don’t know how that happens when I’ve been indoors this whole time, but it always seems to, and my pink sneakers have definitely seen better days.

“I’d hire you, but not everyone loves fur babies.”

“You’re right. I’m not looking forward to that aspect of the business, but I’m still my mama’s daughter at heart. I can be a pretty, proper Southern belle when necessary.”

“You’re always pretty, but proper? Well . . .”

We laugh. I can be unfiltered and outlandish, but I like who I am and so does Ruby, and that’s all I need.

“What are you doing tonight?” she asks as we groom the dogs.

“I have a few things to do for the event, but they shouldn’t take too long. Beyond that, I don’t know yet. Why? Do you want to hang out?”

“I was just curious. Sorry, but I can’t hang out. I will be busy having wild, dirty, hopefully baby-making sex with my husband.”

“I’m jealous.” I can’t remember the last time I had sex, and it wasn’t with someone who loved me like John loves Ruby. According to Ruby, that brings sex to a whole new level.

“You want to have sex with John?” she asks with a tease in her voice.

“No. Gross. He’s yours.”

“Did you just call my husband gross?”

“I didn’t mean he’s gross. It’s just that he’s yours, and that’s sacred. Besides, he’s not my type.”

“You mean he doesn’t meet all the ridiculous items on your Mr. Right Checklist? What a surprise. No man alive can live up to all that.”

“What can I say? I know what I like, and it’s not organized and careful Ken dolls. I’m more of a G.I. Joe girl. I’m into rugged, dark, and spontaneous guys who roll with the punches and are comfortable in any situation and can fix anything.”

“I know. No highfalutin egos for you, and you would kick Chris Pine or Ryan Gosling out of bed for their hair color alone, which I think is nuts. They’re my hall passes.”

“Yes, you’ve made John and me well aware of that.”

We continue chatting while I finish grooming Molly. When I’m done, I grab the box of bows. “Okay, Mol, your daddy is going to be here any minute. What color should we go for today?” I hold up the box, and Molly sniffs a pink bow. “A girl after my own heart. Maybe pink will get a smile out of your grumpy daddy.” I pluck two pink bows from the box.

“Fletch isn’t grumpy.”

“Who’s Fletch?” I ask as I put the first bow in Molly’s hair.

Ruby’s brows shoot up. “Molly’s owner . . . ?”

“Why do you say it like I should know his name? Nobody calls him that. Even Laura calls him Molly’s dad.”

“Whatever. He’s not grumpy. He’s just reserved.”

“If you say so.” I pet Molly. “But I’m pretty sure this big, beautiful girl is the only one Stuffy Steve smiles for.” Molly pants happily.

Ruby laughs. “You’re a lost cause.”

“It’s not my fault Aloof Adam acts that way.”

The intercom on the wall buzzes, and Laura’s voice comes through. “Destiny, Molly’s dad is here.”

“I’ll bring her right out.” I flash a victorious grin at Ruby, who rolls her eyes.

Grumpy Gus is standing in the middle of the reception area, his expression as stoic as ever. His arms are crossed over his broad chest, legs planted shoulder width apart, thigh muscles flexing against his dark slacks. His dirty-blond hair is short on the sides, slightly longer on top, and so thick it reminds me of plush carpeting. His scruff is perfectly manicured, as usual, and his light blue eyes are narrowed, like he doesn’t trust me. Laura is sneaking peeks at him, but he seems oblivious to her appreciative glances. His gaze falls to Molly, and a smile blooms across his face, softening his hard edges for a second, until those baby blues land on the pink bows in Molly’s hair, and his jaw tightens again.

He grumbles, “Bows.”

“Molly loves them. She chose pink today.” I hand him the leash.

“She’s a dog,” he says flatly. “She doesn’t know what a bow is.”

“Then she’s lucky I do, because she’s a pretty girl, and she deserves to look her best.”

He frowns. “The last time she ate one, and it cost me a few hundred dollars at the vet.”

My stomach sinks. “Oh no. I’m so sorry. I wish you had noted that when you made this appointment. I’ll just . . .” I quickly and carefully remove the bows, whispering to Molly, “Sorry, Mol.” I tuck the bows into my apron pocket. “I’ll avoid bows from now on, and I’ll pay for the vet bill if you’d like.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“If you had said something—”

He arches a brow. “I thought please don’t put bows in her hair was pretty clear.”

“I assumed you just hated bows, and you’d get over it,” I say a little too defensively.

His lips twitch into a semi-grin. “You know what they say about assuming. I hope you don’t make a habit of ignoring your clients’ requests.”

“I didn’t ignore it. I just didn’t think you meant it.”

He shakes his head. “Thanks for taking them out. We’ll see you in a few weeks.”

After the door closes behind him, Laura sighs dreamily. “God, he’s cute.”

I watch him through the window as he walks toward a Range Rover. Two women are openly checking him out in the parking lot, but he doesn’t even look their way.

Ruby walks in and puts a folder on Laura’s desk. “Gawking at Molly’s hot daddy?”

“Yes,” Laura says.

“No. I’m just trying to see what you guys see. I mean, he’s tall and fit, and he’s handsome for a blond, but he has no swagger.” I watch him guide Molly into the SUV. He grabs her big head and plants a kiss on her snout, earning Aws from Ruby and Laura. “Okay, that was cute. I’ll give you that, but his personality is so far from my checklist, it’s in another country.”

To continue reading, please buy THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST

Paperbacks can be ordered from Melissa’s bookstore.

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