Billionaire Chats With Her While Walking Dogs, Never Thought Morning Routine Would Lead To Romance
A Chance Encounter and Shared Routines
Clare Sullivan’s morning run took an unexpected turn when her eager golden retriever, Baxter, lunged toward the tall man walking three dogs across the park. As Baxter’s leash slipped from her fingers, Clare watched in horror. Her normally well-behaved dog bounded straight for the stranger’s immaculately pressed suit pants.
“Baxter!”
“No!”
Clare shouted, sprinting after her dog. The early morning sun cast long shadows across Central Park as she raced to intercept her furry escape artist. The tall man didn’t flinch as Baxter approached.
Instead, he calmly commanded his three dogs—a Siberian husky, a German Shepherd, and a Labrador retriever—to sit with a simple hand gesture. Then, to Clare’s surprise, he knelt down in his expensive-looking suit and let Baxter approach for a friendly sniff.
“I’m so sorry,” Clare panted, finally catching up.
“He’s usually better behaved.”
The man looked up, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
“No harm done. Dogs can sense good people, or so I’ve been told.”
He stood and extended his hand.
“Yates Xavier.”
Clare noticed his strong jawline and the way his dark hair was perfectly styled despite the early hour. His watch probably cost more than her monthly rent, but his smile seemed genuine.
“Clare Sullivan,” she replied, taking his hand.
“And this social deviant is Baxter.”
“These are my companions: Luna, Max, and Cooper,” Yates said, gesturing to his well-groomed dogs.
“They’re usually my only company at this hour.”
Clare tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear.
“We’re here every morning at 6:00. Baxter needs his exercise before I head to the hospital.”
“You’re a doctor?” Yates asked, genuine interest flickering in his eyes.
“Veterinarian, actually. I work at Eastside Animal Hospital.”
“That explains why Baxter is so well adjusted, social blunders aside.”
They walked together along the path, their dogs forming an impromptu pack. Clare couldn’t help but notice how Yates’s dogs responded to his subtle commands without verbal cues.
“You’ve trained them well,” she observed.
“When you’re as busy as I am, efficiency becomes necessary,” Yates said.
“Even with dog training. What keeps you so busy?”
“I run Xavier Shipping International,” he said casually, as if mentioning he worked at a coffee shop.
Clare almost missed a step. Xavier Shipping was one of the largest maritime transport companies in the world. She’d read about them in business magazines while sitting in waiting rooms.
“That sounds demanding,” she managed.
Yates laughed.
“These morning walks keep me sane. Speaking of which, same time tomorrow?”
Clare found herself nodding before she could overthink it. Over the next few weeks, their morning walks became a routine. Clare learned that Yates had built his shipping empire from a single cargo vessel he’d purchased after college.
His fleet now dominated international trade routes. Despite his wealth, he walked his own dogs and spoke to Clare about normal things. They discussed favorite movies, childhood stories, and the best pizza places in New York.
