Page 89 of The ABCs of You & Me

“Cass called and said there was an emergency with Gary, then she sent me the address and”—she looks around as if realizing where she is for the first time—“I guess I’m here now.”

“You didn’t have to come,” I assure her even though I’m the farthest thing from upset that she’s here right now.

She scoffs, rolling her eyes. Why is that so sexy? “As if—” The door to the back opens, and a tall man wearing scrubs and a lab coat walks toward us.

“Mr. Walsh?”

I stand, Sophie joining me. “Yes?” I ask anxiously.

“I’m Dr. Jacobs. Gary has a bowel obstruction.” He turns the iPad he’s holding toward me. “Right here.” He points at the X-ray. “Unfortunately, it looks like our only option for treatment will be surgery.”

“Okay, do whatever you need to do,” I confirm.

He looks back toward the receptionist who rounds the counter with a clipboard. “We’ll just need you to sign a few things.” I must look like I’m about to puke because Sophie squeezes my arm while Dr. Jacobs assures me that it’s a pretty standard procedure when it comes to cats. But it’s still a surgery and therefore involves risks. “Gary appears to be in excellent condition aside from the obstruction, so I’m not overly concerned about how he’ll do under anesthetic.”

“Okay.” I nod, sitting so I can begin filling out the form.

“Do you know what the obstruction is?” I hear Sophie ask.

“I can’t really make it out, but if I had to guess it’s string or an elastic.” Sophie’s gasp has me adding an extra-long line to the cross on the end of “street.”

She’s got her hands on her head, looking horrified. “I left my elastic at your place.” Her eyes immediately fill with tears, and I can’t get rid of the clipboard fast enough as I pull her into my arms. “Oh my god, this is my fault,” she murmurs into my chest.

“No, Soph,” I say, sliding my hand into her hair and pulling her tighter against me. “He’s never done anything like this before. I saw it there and didn’t think anything of it.”

I look over at the vet only to realize he’s gone. When Sophie pulls back, I don’t hesitate to take her face in my hands, running my thumbs over her cheeks to wipe her tears away.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, sunshine,” I say as soothingly as I can.

“I’m sorry.”

I pull her back in and rest my lips on the top of her head until her breathing returns to normal. “I really need you not to be sorry.” I have a feeling she was blamed for a lot in her relationship with Gregory. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who takes responsibility for much.

“At least let me pay the bill,” she pleads.

“Yeah, not a chance, sunshine,” I argue as we sit back down and I pick the paperwork back up. I don’t miss the look on her face when my words land. Indignant mixed with shock, and I can’t help but chuckle as I complete the form.

I know this is going to be pricey, but I’d saved everything I made in Korea and have some inheritance left from my dad’s parents. It’s not going to last forever, but it means I can afford to keep my cat alive without going into debt. As long as he doesn’t make this a habit.

When I give the form back, I’m told that I can go home and they’ll call me with an update later in the morning. When I let Sophie know she can go home, she insists on driving me because apparently I look “done in.”

“Why don’t you come up?” I suggest when she pulls up to the curb.

“Oh, you should probably get some sleep.”

I look over at her skeptically. “Do you really think I’m going to get any sleep while I don’t know what’s going on with Gary?”

She studies me for a minute before shaking her head. “No, I suspect you’ll pace or go for a run.”

“I already had a run today. If you come up, you’ll keep me from running myself into the ground. You’d be doing me a favor.” I reach over and squeeze her hand and watch her look down at where we are connected. “I insist.”

She peers up through her lashes as she worries her lip. “Well, if you insist.”

I take her hand the second she rounds the car, threading my fingers through hers, relishing the feeling of her skin against mine. I hold it in the elevator and as I unlock my door, and the minute we’re through it I wrap my arms back around her and laugh at the little yelp of surprise.

“Thank you for coming to check on me and for coming back with me,” I whisper.

“Of course. I wasn’t sleeping anyway.”

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