Page 48 of Between Us

Smiling, she just nods. “I know. They don’t have any.” With that, she turns back to the exam room she came from. Now I’m confused.

Peeking over my shoulder, I take another look. Almost instantly, I realize that she’s right. There is oatmeal but no raisins. It actually looks like… chocolate chips and walnuts? My favorite?

“Goddammit, Polly,” I mutter with a watery laugh. I quickly bat the fresh tears away, then I pile three onto a napkin and take my place at the front desk again, feeling just a little bit better than five minutes ago.

And who would’ve thought that would ever be thanks to the Pain in My Ass herself?

Chapter Twenty-Four

Adrian

It’sbeenalongweek, and it’s only Monday. So, I had no plans do anything other than go straight home, maybe order a pizza, and spend another few hours studying for this fucking histology exam in a week. It’s the topic I’ve been struggling with the most this semester. It’s the least hands on right now, so that’s probably why.

The thought of extra pepperonis and microscopic structures left my brain when I saw Blake’s car still in the parking lot. Anhourafter she got off.

After last night, I started to go into panic mode, ready to call the special forces in to find her. After taking a deep breath, I opted for trying her number instead. Thankfully, she answered on the second ring—even though I could tell all evening that she’d rather be anywhere than back at the clinic today.

That’s how I ended up here… standing in Benji the Beagle’s kennel while Blake sits on the floor in front of me.

When I asked where she was, in a small voice she admitted, “I’m not ready to go home… and he just looked so lonely, Adrian.”

Immediately, my feet took me inside and to the back of the building, where all the hospitalized animals stay.

Polly was here for most of the day, sitting with him while we were in and out to monitor his vitals and administer antibacterial medications. Now, he’s out for the night with the amount of pain medications he’s being given.

So, if I had to guess,no, Benji probably wasn’t too lonely when Blake found him.

She looks up at me and from her red eyes, and the faint tear streaks on her cheeks, I also don’t think it was him that needed the company.

I’m proud of Blake for not avoiding me today. It was what I expected after she was practically forced into a show of raw, unwanted vulnerability. And I’m getting to know her well enough, so I was prepared to be patient with her. I would give her a few days to regroup or offer silent support if necessary.

But when I got to work and caught Blake alone in the small kitchen area, picking up chocolate chip cookies, she surprised me. Without a word, she walked right up to me and tentatively opened her arms for a hug. Without a fucking second of hesitation, I closed the gap between us and held her for a couple of minutes. It didn’t feel like nearly enough time, but the gesture itself felt like I won the lottery.

“Hey, pretty girl,” I quietly greet her.

With the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen—with the exception of last night—she whispers, “Hey, Adrian.”

“Mind if I sit?”

She shakes her head and scoots over on the towel she must have laid on the floor. The kennel workers are great at keeping it tidy around here, but I don’t blame her for the precaution.

Benji’s lying next to her, so she can only offer me so much room unless half my butt hangs over the small ledge. It’s a tight squeeze but I don’t mind. Our sides are pressed against each other, and I can smell that fresh, melon scent I’ve started to associate with her.

After a second of hesitation, I watch from the corner of my eyes as Blake leans her head on my shoulder. I feel the same hesitation in my body as I reach out and let my hand settle on her thigh.

We’re both still in our scrubs, but it doesn’t matter. This still feels like an incredibly intimate moment with Blake. Actually, there have been a couple of times where we felt so close even the act of sex couldn’t connect us in the way those small moments have. Like when we quietly share tidbits about our lives up until now, or when she let me hold her while she broke down.

Until Blake, I only understood intimacy to be something physical. And it’s certainly not that I don’t want her in that way—because I sure as hell do—but I’m not in a rush.

Hell, I’m still waiting for the right opening to finallykissher.

Everything else will come in time. And I’m realizing that this emotional intimacy may be just as new to Blake, and ten times as important.

I’m so lost in my own head that I only notice Blake slipping her arm under mine. She’s loosely holding onto my forearm while her other hand rests on Benji. Seeming lost in her own thoughts, I wonder if she’s realized that she’s slowly moving further and further into my space. Any more, and I’ll have to decide between slipping off the side or wrapping an arm around her.

As if it’s any choice at all.

After about fifteen minutes of sitting quietly together, I finally ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”

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