Page 18 of Between Us

“But you’d like there to be? Based on you wanting to bring him up anyway.”

“He’s the hot guy I bumped into at the grocery store,” I blurt out.

She lets out a shocked laugh. “Really?”

She knows about my little accident at the store that night. Not because he kept popping into my mind—I left that information out—but because I was actually embarrassed as hell. He’s objectively gorgeous. Like the type of attractive that could model if this vet thing doesn’t work out.

Nodding, I tell her about overhearing my dad’s call and officially meeting him on his first day. By the end of it I even admit, “There might be a teeny tiny crush, but it’s like a shooting star. It’ll pass. Quickly.”

“Maybe so,” she muses but doesn’t push the topic anymore.

“It’s not important.”

She nods, not looking convinced. “If you say so… Back to Lela then. Is Adrian going to help too?”

I roll my eyes and stare at her blankly. “I thought we were moving on?”

“Sorry, sorry,” she amends, but I know she isn’t in the slightest.

Choosing to ignore my own desire to talk about Adrian, we finish our appointment discussing my plans for the weekend, and how the long distance is going with Margo and Meera. The distance is hard, but I haven’t felt any great shifts in our friendships either, even if the loneliness is daunting sometimes.

Chapter Nine

Blake

I’mneverdreadingwork—if anything, it’s one of the few places I feel completely comfortable—but there’s definitely a heaviness today.

After my therapy session last week, I went over to Lela’s house as promised. It didn’t take as long as she expected. My dad had helped me narrow it down ahead of time, so she wasn’t overwhelmed.

We went through the three companies my dad suggested looking into and called an agent with the best fitting option. It was a pleasant surprise that he knew Spanish, so Lela was comfortable knowing she didn’t accidentally miss anything if I had translated.

From there, the rest of the process was smooth. With the help of the agent, we gotChispasigned up and submitted. It was processed within twenty-four hours, so getting her an exam and appointment for blood work happened within the week as well.

My dad expected to get the results back yesterday, but when he got home, he admitted the lab hadn’t called yet. I’ve worked here long enough to know how fast and reliable the one he works with is, so I know the information is coming today—if not already.

Pushing through the front doors, I smile at Olivia when her head pops up.

“Hey, girl,” she greets me, but there’s already a sly tug to her lips as I get closer.

Shaking my head, I ask, “What’s going on?”

“You’ll never believe this. It’s a new record.”

With a confused tilt to my head, I round the desk and drop my bag on the floor. “The amount of times Dr. Fisher made the name joke?”

She snorts and twirls the pen in her fingers. “No, but I think he did hit that the other day. I mean our new resident pool boy.”

It’s my turn to chuckle. At times, I tend to ramble uncontrollably, and I mentioned that joke to her. She thought it was way funnier than I ever did though.

But considering Olivia’s happily married, I know she doesn’t have a crush on our newest employee. Despite what I told Catalina, my crush doesn’t feel fleeting. I’m not saying I’m ready to get down on one knee and propose to the guy,butthe small spark of interest has grown into those pesky butterflies everyone goes on about.

We don’t have a lot of time to talk on our shifts but when we do, he makes sure to find me. Our conversations have stayed more superficial since the college debacle.

Usually, we talk about his classes and what workouts he has planned when he leaves a shift in gym clothes. Or he’ll ask me about my craft projects or about the town. He swears he’s not interested in staying in Amada Beach for longer than it takes to finish his degree and gain some experience. However, helovesknowing about some of our residents.

Without me having to ask, Olivia continues, “You remember that woman Quinn? She has the parrots?”

I shudder, knowing exactly which client she’s talking about. Birds aren’t uncommon patients, and some of them are fine. But I didn’t bring them up in therapy for no reason, and Quinn’s three are the exact reason why.

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