Page 33 of Burn With Me

My phone dings, and I pull it away from my ear.

“Awesome. We have a vet appointment at noon. That gives me a couple of hours to get some paperwork done and follow up with the builder to see how things are going,” I say, thinking out loud. “Do you work today, or are you just up early, like a weirdo?”

“I’m getting in the car to head in now. I just couldn’t wait all day before I heard from you because I know how you get. You had fun though, right? Like you’re really going to give this a shot?” she says tentatively.

I pause as I get a cup from the cupboard for my chai latte. “I don’t know, Pam, I’m nervous. Leo was fantastic at the beginning too. What if there’s something wrong with me and the men I’m attracted to? Everything was so great last night. He didn’t even blink when I decided to keep the kitten, and he willingly took me to the pet store. There were no comments about how much money I was spending or that I was impulsive or anything. He was nervous about how Penny would react to me bringing home a kitten. It was really sweet, actually, and my lord, can that man kiss. I was humping his leg on the front porch when he was leaving.” I picture everything that happened last night, remembering how hot it was.

“I’m going to say this one time and one time only,” she says. “There isnothingwrong with you. Not one thing. Everything that fuck head did was on him and him alone. You deserve someone who understands you and wants to be with you because of who you are. Not because they want someone pretty to hang on their arm. Do you hear me?”

I mix the soy milk and chai mix and pop it in the microwave. “Yeah, yeah, I hear you.”

“Do you understand what I’m saying? Luke might not be the one, but just running away because he’s a nice guy is a bitch move. Now, if he texts you, you will text back. Until then, go finish your paperwork and get ready for the vet appointment. We’ll plan a girls’ night this weekend with Luna and Abby. Keep me posted on how the appointment goes. Love you, girlie,” she says before she hangs up.

I grab some frozen waffles from the freezer and pop them in the air fryer as I think about what Pam said. While logically, I know she’s right, I’m scared to believe that Luke is as good of a guy as he comes off to be. Do I trust my judgment enough to say he’s genuine? I guess we’ll just see what happens.

I go through the motions of looking at the weekend schedule and the deliveries that need to be done. I’m happy to hear that the supplies needed for the addition of the farm have been ordered and construction should be starting as soon as they’re in.

Having a girls’ night before the farmers’ market on Sunday will make this a long weekend, but it’ll be worth it. Pam and I have been trying to get Luna and Abby to hang out with us for a few months now, and I’m excited something is finally in the works.

I’m exhausted. I close my laptop and rest my head on top of it.

Paperwork is a necessary evil of running a business, but it makes my eyes cross.

Checking my watch, I realize almost three hours have gone by and that I have to leave in the next fifteen minutes to make it to the vet on time.

I stand and stretch my back, then quickly gather everything I’ll need for the rest of the day. I put Penny’s harness on because my girl doesn’t like to be left out, and the vet is one of her favorite places to go.

Once she’s ready, I go into the bathroom with the cat carrier and put Ginny in with her blanket and one of Penny’s toys. With the girls ready, I put my phone in my bag, grab my keys, and walk out the door to the Jeep.

Ten minutes before our appointment, we pull into the parking lot, and I unload everyone. As we walk in, Penny makes a beeline for the front desk and stops to look back at me when she realizes she’s on a leash. I roll my eyes because I know she’s probably doing the same thing mentally since she’s rarely on a leash, but I try to be respectful of other pet parents.

“Hey, Maddie, Jesse said he had an opening at noon today for me to bring in the stray kitten I found last night for a checkup,” I say.

“Oh yes, he told me! I can’t wait to see the cutie. Oh, and of course, I have treats for Penny since she’s such a perfect girl.” She walks around the desk and squats down to pet Penny, who sits and stares at me likeI’m the most perfect girl because she said so.

Maddie and I make some small talk when the bells over the door ring. I turn around, shocked at who I see.

Luke, the last person I thought I would see here, strolls in, and damn, does he look good in his navy blue cargo pants, black work boots, and a fitted shirt with the fire department logo. As my gaze meets his, I can see the humor dancing in his eyes.

“Holy shit, girl, do you know him? He looks like he’s going to eat you up,” Maddie whispers and chuckles.

“Yeah, I know him” is all I can say before he reaches us.

“Oh, good. I’m here just in time for the appointment,” he says, smiling at me.

“Luke, what are you doing here? How did you know I was even here?” I ask, shaking my head, but I can’t stop the smile on my face.

“Sam told me the appointment was confirmed, and I wasn’t going to miss our kitten’s first vet appointment. What kind of pet parent would I be if I did that?” He quirks an eyebrow and smirks.

Butterflies take flight in my chest, and I swear Maddie says aww next to me, and I feel my walls breaking down a little more.

Fourteen

Luke

The look on her face is everything. When Sam told me she was coming to the vet today at noon and that Pam told him she already was starting to have doubts, I knew what I had to do.

“Don’t you have to work today?” she asks, eyes wide and her joy showing through her smile.

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