Page 80 of Lee

It was more likely that Carisa was biding her time.

“I have no idea.” Lee frowned as he leaned against the counter in front of Rori. “But it doesn’t matter. If you want to go with me, I’ll take you.”

“I’d like to go.” Rori said the words without thinking, but she wasn’t going to take them back.

Lee smiled, his eyes lighting up. “Great! I’ll let Alys know we might be gone for a bit longer than just the hour. It’s essentially part of work, so it won’t be a problem.”

“Even for me?”

“Yes. Even for you, so don’t worry about it. Alys will take care of anyone that comes in before we get back.”

The final appointment for the morning walked in, and since Lee knew them, he took them and their pet to the back.

Rori looked at the clock in the corner of her computer screen. Half an hour. She could wait that long… hopefully.

They left right at noon, taking Lee’s car. A masculine scent hung lightly in the air, and being surrounded by that was how she imagined it would feel to be hugged by the man.

“Has Carisa found people to adopt the other puppies?”

“I’m not sure. You can ask her while we’re there. Have you changed your mind about taking one?”

“It’s tempting. It was so nice petting Elsa the other day. Very therapeutic.”

“So you’re resisting the puppy cuteness?”

“Just barely.”

“You can come spend time with Elsa whenever you want,” Lee said.

Those moments at the park had been so peaceful. The weight of her small body on Rori’s legs. Running her fingers through Elsa’s long, silky fur. Lee at her side. It had been so relaxing.

Her mind wandered to what it might be like to have a small dog in her lap at the end of the day while she sat reading a book. Except, in her imagination, Lee was also there.

Rori blinked as she came out of her musings.

“…pizza night on Friday. Hope you can be there.”

That was an invitation? She sure hoped so.

“Are they making the pizzas in their oven again?”

“I think so. Did you like them?”

“I did,” Rori said. “How about you all?”

“I didn’t hear anyone complaining, so I assume everyone liked it. Maybe they’ll get more topping varieties next time.”

“Do you like something different?”

“Not really, but Will likes ham and pineapple.”

“I do too.”

“Oh no,” Lee said. “We can’t be friends now.”

Though those words would normally have made her heart race out of fear of losing his friendship, this time they didn’t. She could hear the teasing note in his voice, and somehow, she just knew that he would never end a friendship over something like that.

And strangely enough, she had a growing certainty in her heart that he wouldn’t end their friendship… at all.

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