Page 38 of Undone

I didn’t usually keep things from her, but with her new life in Woodstone, her job, and happy bliss with Trent, I didn’t want to overwhelm her with every little detail of my life. I guess that was one of the things I left out.

I winced. “Yeah, I called Dorian, and he helped me get in touch with a vet in Seattle.”

Dorian glanced at me. “Noah did a great job and got him the help he needed quickly,” he said, attempting to ease the awkwardness of the moment.

Dotty offered a faint smile, her expression saying more than her words.

I went back to my conversation with Gracie, her excitement impossible to ignore. She began telling me all about her favorite movies and songs, her bright eyes and animated gestures making it clear she was full of energy.

As we chatted, I couldn’t help but notice Dorian watching us from across the room. His thoughtful expression, combined with his dark, slightly curly hair and sharp jawline, made him stand out. He was tall, only a few inches shorter than Trent, but his broad shoulders gave him a lumberjack-like appearance.

Damn it, why couldn’t I have moved to a small town where people were just… friendly, and not full of rugged, five o’clock-shadowed men who rescued animals for a living?

I tried to keep my focus on Gracie, but I could still feel his gaze.

Dinner with the James family surpassed everything Dotty described and then some. It was in the way they truly saw each other, how they leaned into their relationships without hesitation. It was the kind of connection I wasn’t used to. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. Sitting at their table tonight, I’d felt a rare sense of peace, like maybe I could fit into a picture like that one day.

Just for tonight, that small sense of belonging gave me a glimmer of hope.

I was ready to step into the cool night air and head back to Walker when footsteps sounded behind me. Dorian filled the space, those brown eyes of his zeroing in on me. For a moment, I forgot to breathe. There was something about the way he looked at me—like he could see right through me.

“Did you have a good time?” he asked.

“Yeah, it was really nice. Gracie’s a character.”

“She really seems to like you,” Dorian said, his dark eyes catching mine again briefly before moving away.

“She’s great. Super smart too,” I replied.

He shifted his weight, hesitating for a beat before speaking again. “Yeah, she’s… creative, curious, amazing…” He trailed off for a moment, like he was deciding how to continue. Then, as if it was hard to say, he added, “But she’s been struggling a little with reading. Nothing too serious, but enough that I think she could use some help. I was wondering if you’d maybe tutor her this summer. Just to give her a bit of a boost.”

“Of course,” I said, meeting his eyes with a reassuring smile. “I’d love to help.”

His posture relaxed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “She really likes you. I try to help her, but… well, she only tolerates me for so long before she starts digging her heels in. Stubborn little thing.”

“I wonder where she gets that from?” I smirked.

He let out a low laugh, his gaze holding mine. “Careful, Miss Reid. You’re starting to sound like you’ve figured me out.”

“I swear to God, Dorian,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. “If you call me Miss Reid again…”

“You’ll what?” He leaned in closer with that teasing glint of his.

I crossed my arms, trying to look serious, but I could feel my cheeks warm. My brain kind of froze, and all that came out was, “You’ll find out.” I blinked.

Fantastic comeback, Noah. Very witty of you.

Dorian smirked, stepping a fraction closer. “I’m dying to know.” His tone was light, but there was an edge to it that made my heart stutter.

I swallowed, trying to steady myself.

Is he… flirting with me?

“Miss Reid sounds so formal coming from you.” I gestured to his plaid button-up and worn jeans. “You damn lumberjack,” I said. “I mean, look at you.”

He gave a low chuckle, his eyes narrowing. “You know, I’m starting to think you likedamn lumberjacks.”

“Funny.” I let out a laugh that was clearly forced.

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