Page 5 of Quake

I turn back to face him. His eyes are bright despite the late hour, and he’s wearing the smallest of smiles, and yet, it lights his entire face up, his dimples making me sway a little. He looks down at his hand on my arm, shocked by his own behavior. He drops it, and the loss of warmth causes my body toquakeas the chill of the room settles into my skin. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to grab you like that. I was just wondering if you’d like to go out with me,” he rushes, and the shock must be written all over my face as he continues. “On a date, I mean. I know that’s really forward.” His cheeks flame red, and he no longer meets my eyes as he continues rambling. “I never ask anyone out, but I’m afraid I won’t see you again, so I’m pushing myself to just take the leap,” he admits, and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy for a second before I squash that feeling.

I’m sure he doesn’t have any trouble getting dates, which is why he never has to ask. People probably flock to him, though the media has been less than kind to Gianni. They’re always picking apart his expressions, making comments about how sorrowful he is, and one reporter even described his eyes as “lifeless.” Looking at me right now, they look gentle and warm. Like a clear pool on a sunny summer day that I could float away from all of my problems in. But all the warm and gooey feelings I have burn to ash when I’m hit with a wave of nausea.

“I’m sorry, Gianni,” I say, my mouth dry as I piece together the right words. “I actually have a boyfriend, so I’ll have to decline, but it’s very sweet of you to ask. I hope you and Pickles get home safely.” This time, I successfully leave the room, and I immediately run into Betty, practically bouncing off her scrubs-clad back. Her eyes are wide, but she recovers quickly, grabbing hold of my arms and pulling me into one of the empty rooms.

“Lark, I know Valerie is your cousin, but you need to fire her once and for all,” she huffs out, hands on her hips in frustration.

I groan. “What’d she do now?” I ask, rolling my eyes. It’s always something with her. I really, really can’t stand her. She has a piss-poor attitude, and I’m not sure she even likes animals, but my dad helps fund this place, and his brother practically begged him to get her a job here.

“She was hitting on Mr. De Laurentiis and then made accusations about him having been the one to knowingly feed Pickles chicken bones,” she angry whispers, her hands flailing in front of her face as she speaks. “Valerie can’t seem to do her job, and she’s driving me up a damn wall.” She takes a deep breath. “I hate to do this to you, but it’s getting to where it’s me or her, honey. I can’t keep working with her.”

My heart sinks. She’s frustrated, and I understand, but Betty is one of my favorite people on the planet, and she’s the most hardworking employee I’ve got.

“Okay, I’ll figure it out. What do you think about maybe switching her position instead? She could scan paperwork, or I could even open up the office for bathing and tell her she’s in charge of cleaning all the kennels out. Maybe she’d just quit at that point.” This is something I’ve thought about before, but I agree, it’s time. She’s gotta go, and that’s not just my sudden surge of protectiveness over Gianni.

“You’ll figure it out,” she says, squeezing my shoulder reassuringly. “Maybe just speak with your dad. I think he’ll understand.” She seems so sure of that, and frankly, neither of us has any reason not to.My dad is the best.

Chapter four

Gianni

It’s nearly three in the morning by the time we’re done at the vet, and my pretty girl seems to be doing better already, though she still refuses to walk. That’s not really anything new though. She’s always loved to be held, and I can’t say I blame her.I’d like to be held sometimes too.

I approach the checkout counter, getting ready to pay for what I imagine will inevitably be a couple-thousand-dollar visit, when I see Betty hurrying around the desk to her seat. “Hi, Mr. De Laurentiis. I’m happy to see things are okay with Pickles.” She beams at me, holding a finger up as she says, “Give me just one second while I pull up the bill.”

“Not a problem. Take your time,” I tell her.

“Okay, so your bill will be two hundred and thirty-three dollars. Cash or card?”

My brows pinch, and I finally stammer, “Are you sure that’s the right price? We did X-rays, too, and gave her a shot for nausea.Could you just double-check the bill, please?” There’s literally no way that’s right, but it’s late, so she probably just hadn’t input it yet.

She smiles at me sheepishly. “The price is correct. We don’t overcharge like the other emergency vets. It’s important that pets receive quality care, especially in emergencies, so we pride ourselves in offering those services at an affordable price.”

I’m honestly taken aback by that. I’ve never left a standard veterinary clinic without paying at least three hundred dollars just for vaccines, let alone an emergency appointment. It’s nice to know that whoever owns this place has their heart in it. I could tell that based on who works here. Betty and Dr. Hughes have been really great.

I look around the waiting room, seeing several people with their sick pets waiting to be seen before turning back to look at her. “Um, okay. Well, I was expecting to pay at least two thousand, so let me pay you that anyway, and you can put the excess toward covering the costs for anyone else you guys see here tonight. Is that okay? I don’t want to overcomplicate anything for you.” It's the least I can do. I have the money, and you never know what someone else is going through. Pickles has become my whole world these last few months, and without her, I'm not sure I’d bother waking up at all. If there's something I can do to make it even a little easier for someone in here to take care of their furry family, I'm more than willing to.

Her eyes widen slightly as her mouth pops open. “That’s so generous of you,” she rushes to say, waving a hand in my face. “And it’s not complicated at all, thank you.”

I nod at her. My social battery is officially drained. I just want to pay and take Pickles home to sleep for the next twelve hours. I hand her my card, approve the payment, and give her the best smile I can manage before thanking her and heading out into the cool air.

Chapter five

Gianni

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Iwake up to a wet nose pressed against my cheek and a high-pitched whining sound. It takes me a moment to come out of my nightmare-induced daze, but finally, I realize it’s Pickles asking to go out.

God, what time is it?I reach for my cell phone and notice six missed texts from Kat and a voicemail from Alessandro.

I’m wracking my brain for any reason they’d be trying to get ahold of me when I suddenly remember that damn tricks-for-treats class Kat signed Pickles up for!

I hop out of bed, running around the apartment like a chicken with my head cut off. I change, brush my teeth, and splash some water on my face before leashing Pickles and running us downstairs to get in the car and drive to the address Kat sent me days ago.

Thankfully, Pickles does her business quickly before we head out.

For my sake, I fully plan to delete that voicemail without bothering to listen to it. My brother is the kindest man in the world, but he can turn into an absolute creature from the dark lagoon where Kat’s concerned. I have no interest in having my ass reamed out for disappointing her.

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