Get Fluffy

Tova gripped the diamond encrusted leash tighter, pulling Kiki closer to her. “You gave my baby fleas,” she huffed.

Hells bells. What was she talking about?

Chapter Two

A loud murmur rippled over our table. All eyes were on us, waiting for my reaction to Tova’s outrageous claim.

I set my half-empty glass of pinot noir next to my plate. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Tova lifted her chin higher. “Kiki and I got kicked out of Mommy and Doggie Yoga because she had fleas.”

Seriously, how was that my fault? Besides, it wasn’t the end of the world. It happens to the best of dogs (although Missy’s never been afflicted with them). I’m sure even Rin Tin Tin had a case of fleas. Once.

“That must have been embarrassing for you,” I said to the crazy lady.

Tova sucked in her cheeks, producing a well-practiced pout. “She obviously got them from Bow Wow.”

What the? I leaned forward, invading her personal bubble. She stepped back and had the presence of mind to look worried. “I don’t think so. Have you considered she caught them from a dog at yoga?” I kept my tone sweet and non-confrontational.

A glance at Grey told me I wasn’t as successful as I’d thought.

He cleared his throat. “Ladies, can’t this wait?”

Tova picked up Kiki and pressed her wiggly body against her not-so-natural cleavage. “I was assured it didn’t happen there.”

I was assured it didn’t happen there, I mimicked silently. “Well, I just assured you it didn’t happen at Bow Wow.”

By now we had an audience. Not just our small table of people. Oh no, half the room leaned in our direction, waiting for me to knock Tova on her beautiful butt.

I walked a fine line. Fleas aren’t deadly, but no one would knowingly expose their pet or themselves. I clenched and unclenched my fists. What to do, what to do…

“Melinda, what’s going on?” Mona Michaels and her Afghan Hound, Fluffy, paraded to our table.

Great. Trouble on six legs.

Mona ruled the rich and famous of Laguna Beach with the wave of her aristocratic hand and her elite American Express Black Card. She had her plastic surgeon on speed dial, injectable Botox in her purse and her private chef on a short leash.

Her simple black Valentino gown was most likely the envy of every woman at the ball. She was what the gated community housewives dreamed of being when they grew up.

Unfortunately for me, Mona and my mother were childhood friends. Mona thought that meant she could dictate, and I’d blindly follow. Not likely. I wasn’t a Mona fan.

From behind, Fluffy looked exactly like her human. A mistake I’d made more than once. Awkward.

Tonight, Fluffy seemed more haughty than normal. Her jeweled collar with a diamond-crusted, heart-shaped pendant sparkled like a mirror ball, and I’m guessing was equally as heavy. She looked like she couldn’t be bothered mingling with us average humans.

Too bad Mona didn’t feel the same indifference. She narrowed her assessing blue eyes at me and waited for an explanation.

Why she thought she’d get one was beyond me.

“Go back to your posse, Mona. Everything here’s just hunky-dory.”

Mona motioned to the crowd; her shocking white hair flowed softly around her razor-sharp cheekbones. “It is plain to everyone you do not have this situation under control, otherwise Amelia wouldn’t be cowering in the corner of the stage waiting for you to finish.”

As always, Mona’s condescending clipped voice raised my hackles.

“You may want to consider keeping your voice down,” Grey warned under his breath.

Too late. All eyes had followed Mona. Once she’d insinuated herself into my business, I had my reputation to protect. I turned my attention back to Tova.

“You still haven’t explained why I owe you money?”

“Well, I had to get Kiki groomed,” Tova stammered. Mona’s presence loomed over us, and Tova was beginning to crack. Amateur. If she wanted to make it here, she’d have to develop a thicker skin.

“And?” I could feel the weight of the room shift towards us waiting to hear the answer. Who knew dogs could be so quiet?

“My lawyer says you have to reimburse me for it.”

“Oh, hell no.”

Murmurs rolled through the room like Main Beach waves crashing against the rocks.

Tova stood her ground. “She got them while on your property. You have to pay,” she insisted.

I hiked up my gown, which pooled around my three-inch heels. I wished I was wearing my motorcycle boots. “You’re the only one with fleas.” I took a breath and tried to control my rising voice and cover the Texas accent that was threatening to make an appearance. “If this was a Bow Wow issue, someone else would have said something.”

“They’re afraid of you,” Tova whined.

“You’re ridiculous,” Mona pronounced with the wave of her hand.

“You’re out of control,” I said at the same time.

I don’t know if Mona was talking to me or Tova. I was talking about both of them.

Tova shook her head. “You don’t know what kind of nightmare I’ve been through. Kiki’s wardrobe had to be dry-cleaned, my carpet steamed, her travel bag replaced, and she had to be groomed a second time after her botanical dip.”

I’d had enough. “I do not have fleas!” I turned to the room, hands on hips and asked, “Did I give any of you fleas?”

There was a lot of throat clearing and minimal eye contact. No one said a word. It would have been comical if I hadn’t been so honked off.

I narrowed my eyes on Tova. “Looks like it’s just you.”

“Enough.” Mona pointed at Tova. “Take your dog and sit.”

“This isn’t over.” Tova looked between Mona and me like a confused puppy; her shoulders sagged, and her bottom lip quivered slightly. “You’ll regret pushing me around.”

“Does this mean you and Kiki won’t be by tomorrow to pick up the barrettes you special-ordered?”

“Melinda,” Mona said, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll sit and stop causing a scene.”

“Don’t. As much as you like to worm your way into my life, and everyone else’s for that matter, you’re not my mother.”

Mona turned toward me. A glint of fire danced in her eyes. A chill of warning rolled down my back.

“True,” she said. “Fluffy earned her crown. I didn’t need to act like a dog in heat for the judges to see her true talent.”

That was it. The woman insulted me and my Mama.

Bitter emotion churned until it turned into a roar of fury. I yanked my wine glass from the table and tossed the deep ruby contents on Mona’s dress. Immediately, I knew I’d crossed the line. The fat was in the fire now.

Grey groaned in disappointment. Missy jumped out from under the table and barked, her crown rolling under my chair.

Everyone else was deathly silent.

Mona stood frozen, her hands in the air.

Then suddenly she hissed. “You fool.”

Fluffy tossed her pale tresses from her eyes and snarled.