Chapter 13

“Alexis I can’t!!!”
“Please please please…Ernie loves you doesn’t he?” Alexis clasped her hands together and scooped Ernie up. Carmen softened at the sight of the little Yorkshire terrier, Ernie, his tail wagging at the familiar face.
“Hey Ernie…Alexis you owe me…big time!!”

“I’ll buy something for you when I get back from Monaco ‘kay? And I dropped you off at your employer’s place didn’t I? Just three days….” She leaned over to give Carmen a light peck on her cheek and Carmen rolled her eyes at Alexis. She wanted to scold Alexis but in a way, Alexis was just like a little sister to her, always getting into trouble and counting on Carmen to bail her out. She was an aspiring model and this time, she had an editorial in Monaco that could “make or break her career”. Carmen sighed and carried Ernie in her arms.

“Ernie this Shane McCutcheon is really scary….and I mean it…you just stay in the living room and maybe if we’re lucky, she’s gonna go out and not return till the night,” Carmen juggled the keys and her bags in one hand with Ernie in the other. She held Ernie in her hands as she dropped her bag onto the couch. She heard the opening of the door and Shane was all tousled hair and slumberous eyes as she made her way out.

Carmen couldn’t take her eyes off the wife-beater that hugged her lean body and drawstring pants that were hanging loosely on her hips. She gulped nervously, waiting for Shane to truly awake and notice the little bundle of fur she had in her hands. Shane stretched her arms and yawned loudly, then all hell broke loose as Ernie jumped out from Carmen’s arms and ran into Shane’s room. “What the…..” Shane dashed into her room and Carmen followed right on her heels.

She saw Shane in a tussle with little Ernie and Ernie had a sneaker in his jaws. He obviously thought it was a game as he wagged his tail in excitement and ran behind Carmen. “You know what….that’s a limited edition Adidas sneaker that dog of yours is biting,” Carmen couldn’t help but shut her eyes at the bristling tone.