Page 20 of Far from Destined

The sound of it hitting the tile echoed, and I winced. I crouched to pick it up. Unfortunately, Macon did at the same time, and we smashed our heads together. I fell on my butt, and Macon reached out, grabbing for me.

“Fuck. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, rubbing my head. I picked up my phone. “The screen didn’t shatter, and I think my skull is okay. But…ow.”

“I’m sorry, Pop told me to come on back because she figured you were in your office. And then Jason led the way. I didn’t mean to scare the crap out of you.”

“I wasn’t expecting you today.” I swallowed hard.

He looked so good in his casual jeans and shirt, his face cleanly shaven—though I missed the beard.

“You shaved,” I blurted.

He grinned, his eyes twinkling. “Yeah, I had surgery this morning, and it was interfering with my mask. It’s why I don’t keep a long beard all the time.”

Worry filled me. “Surgery? Is whoever you’re working on okay?”

He nodded. “Just a spay. Though I can’t sayjustabout surgery. Our lovely golden retriever, Riley, made her way through easily and is now home with her parents. She is the most adorable golden in the world, at least according to her five-year-old owner.”

That made me smile. “Joshua wants a dog so bad.”

“Really?”

I narrowed my eyes at his tone. “You knew that, didn’t you?”

He winced as we both stood up, and I slid my phone into the pocket of my apron. I was grateful to put some distance between us since it was hard to think with him around.

“He’s mentioned it a couple of times, but only in passing. Not like he was trying to get something from me,” he added quickly, and I was grateful.

“He isn’t a little schemer, at least not yet. Thankfully. But I don’t have time to take care of a dog right now. And while he says he wants a puppy, I know he also wants to go to a pound and find an older dog that needs a home. That comes with its own set of problems. And, frankly, I’m not home enough to entertain a puppy or a dog.”

“That makes total sense. Pets are a big responsibility, and I’m glad that you’re thinking that far ahead, rather than wanting to make Joshua happy or thinking about cute little puppies. Animals are exhausting. It’s why I don’t have one of my own,” he said.

“I always wondered why you didn’t.”

Macon shrugged. “Between my family and setting up the practice as I have been for the past couple of years? It didn’t make sense for me to have a pet of my own, even though I love them. I wanted to be a vet for a reason. My house is pet-friendly, though, because sometimes I need to take an animal home for the night. But the office has a couple of cats, and even Jeremy’s family dog comes in most days. I keep thinking about getting a dog that I can bring in to work, but the timing hasn’t been right yet. And then, after the shooting, while I recovered, well…I was kind of glad I didn’t have an animal at home.”

I froze, and so did he. That was the first time he had mentioned the shooting in front of me. I didn’t know if he had with anyone else. I wasn’t sure what I should say or if I should just move on.

Macon, however, continued speaking, deciding for me. “Anyway, when and if you’re ready for a puppy or an older dog, let me know. I’ll help you out.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it. I just don’t see it happening,” I said honestly.

“I get you. When Joshua’s older, or even now if you want, you can bring him in. I can show him around and let him meet Jeremy’s dog. It’ll either make it worse for you—and if so, I’m sorry—or it’ll give him his animal interaction.”

“I don’t know if that will be good for him.” I hoped he assumed I was talking about introducing my son to animals and not the idea of him spending more time with Macon. Yet when I looked at his face, I saw the hurt there.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly.

Macon shook his head. “No. I get it.” I didn’t think he did.Ididn’t. “Anyway, I came back to see what you were up to because we’re friends now, right?” he asked, sticking his hands into his pockets.

I nodded, swallowing hard. “We are.”

“Then great. Anyway, sorry for crashing your head, and possibly breaking your phone.”

“It’s okay. I drop the thing more often than not, hence why it has such a thick case.”

“I think we have the same one,” he added dryly.

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