Page 60 of One Pucking Destiny

“I know. I’ve asked her if she needs help, advice, or a trainer to visit, but she insists that he’s just perfect. So we see him for his yearly checkup, and that’s it.”

Opening the door to the cupboard, I hang the gloves up. I quickly scan my unscratched skin and mentally thank the creator of those amazing gloves.

“I almost wanted to say blink twice if your cat is holding you hostage.” I snicker.

“She adores that monster.” Dr. Pedlow quickly moves her fingers across the screen of her laptop, updating the notes from the visit before she closes the screen.

“Right? Did you see her sweatshirt? It had his face on it.”

Dr. Pedlow raises her brows. “I’m surprised you noticed her attire as you were fighting for your life.” She slides the laptop beneath her arm, and we head for the door. “You handled Sir Whiskers very well, by the way.”

“Thank you.”

Back in Dr. Pedlow’s office, I finish charting my patients, making sure I didn’t forget to include any important notes. When I’m done, we go over all the animals we saw today and touch on the good things about each visit along with any ways I could improve. I’m so fortunate to work with such an incredible veterinarian as Dr. Pedlow. The time she takes mentoring me is invaluable.

“Do you have any plans this weekend?” she asks.

As she’s the person I spend most of my life with these days, she’s become a friend.

I shrug. “I was thinking I might volunteer here again and assist with any emergency patients.”

“Ariana,” she chastises. “You are twenty-two years old. Give yourself a break.”

“But I learn so much when I work on the weekends. The emergency visits are different from the scheduled appointments.”

“You have your whole life to learn. You know more about this profession than many certified veterinarians and certainly more than anyone in your class. It’s okay to have a life. In fact, it will make you a better vet.”

I squint. “How? That makes no sense.”

She supplies an audible grin. “Balance, Ariana. It’s good. You should try it. The happiest people have a healthy balance between work and home life. It can’t be all work, or you’ll burn out before you begin.”

“I know that, but I’ll have time for all that afterearning my degree and getting my first job. Right now, I’m still in the hustle part of it.”

She sighs. “I forbid you to volunteer this weekend.”

“What?”

She points a finger my way. “I’m serious. If I hear you showed up this weekend, I’m firing you.”

“You can’t fire me.”

“Ari.” Her voice is a warning.

“Fine,” I grumble. “I’ll take the weekend off.”

“That’s my girl. Go be twenty-two.”

“I’ll think about it,” I say with a huff, causing Dr. Pedlow to laugh.

I grab my coat and purse and head for the exit. Before I reach the door, the secretary calls my name. “Ariana! Wait.”

Turning to face her, I’m not at all surprised to see the enormous bouquet in her arms.

“You got another delivery,” she grunts as she hands the heavy thing to me. “I didn’t want you to go home for the weekend and forget about it.”

“Thanks,” I sigh.

I wrestle the floral monstrosity into my car. The bouquet is beautiful, if not unnecessarily huge. It’s as if Bash thinks the bigger the bouquet, the more likely I am to say yes to more.

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