Page 22 of Let Me Show You

“So are you guys serious?”

I chuckled. “Geez, Lauren, it’s been one weekend of hotness.”

“I know,” she interrupted, “but you’ve known him for a while now, right? And seem to spend a lot of time with the guy.”

Nodding, I contemplated how exactly to describe my relationship with Tanner. “Yeah, we do spend most evenings and some weekends together. And heck, I like him a lot. This past weekend was incredible. I’m not sure we’re ready to put a name on it though.” The thought of having that conversation with him made my stomach dip. There was no way to look cool or even at ease when asking “Will you go steady with me?” I internally groaned at the embarrassment to come.

“Yeah, I get it. So tell me, how’d it finally happen?”

I hadn’t told Lauren the extremity of the situation with Scott. While she was aware of the appointment issue, she hadn’t witnessed any of the vileness that he’d thrown my way. I’d kept that quiet, not wanting to cause a ripple. In just a month or so, Denver would be back so Scott would be out of there, and everything would be just fine.

I shrugged noncommittally. “We had a couple of drinks Friday night, and the rest fell into place.”

“Or Tanner fell into your bed, you mean.”

I grinned. “He did that.” I glanced at the time. “I best get going.”

“Okay. I want more details at some point though.” Her smile was wide and infectious, so it was impossible to keep my smirk at bay when I left the room, throwing her a quick wink as I went.

Making my way to collect my next appointment, I touched my iPad with the schedule details on and tried not to wince. “Mrs. Trent?” I looked around the waiting room and spotted the gray-haired woman with a cage on her lap. I kept the grin fixed on my face as she glanced over, while I surreptitiously eyeballed the carrycase latch.

Leading Mrs. Trent to the consultation room, I prepared myself for dealing with her demon cat. The irony of Mr. Snuggles’s name was not lost on me. “So,” I asked as she placed the cage on the metal table and I closed the door, “how may I help you today?”

“Well, Doctor Falon,” she started as she unlocked the cage, and I did everything in my power to remain rooted to the spot and not take a step back, “Mr. Snuggles has an eye full of pus.” I kept my face neutral while she continued. “It came on last night, and I really can’t handle my baby being so uncomfortable.” I nodded in what I hoped was perceived as sympathy and not “get your crazy-ass cat out of here.”

“I see.” I offered her a tentative quirk of my lips. “Can you place him on the table and hold him firmly for me?” It seemed I was going in, and within easy biting distance.

I edged toward the table once Mrs. Trent had Snuggles in her grip. At my movement, the cat turned his sharp gaze on me. I was certain the animal mocked me, looking innocent until I was close enough he’d be able to claw me.

Taking his head between my palms, I released a breath when he didn’t immediately try to bite my finger off. His eye was infected, so he would need some drops. “Okay.” I stepped back. “A course of eyedrops should do the trick.” I smiled, practically lightheaded at having gone through the quick exam unscathed. A first.

Patting her cat, Mrs. Trent nodded and offered me a sweet smile. “Thanks, Doctor.”

I grinned and turned to get the drops. Unlocking one of the medicine cabinets where we stored standard supplies, I tapped the information into my iPad and hit Print. A moment later, the sticky label with instructions was secured and I was ready to usher Mrs. Trent and Snuggles out of there.

As I turned to hand the medication over, Mrs. Trent spoke. “Can you apply the first ones for me, please? You’re so good with him.”

My eyes widened in horror, and my fixed grin was back, so tight my face muscles screamed at me. “Sure.” The words spilled out unplanned as I reluctantly edged closer to the demon cat.

The next four minutes were epic-battle worthy. From the evil glint in Snuggles’s eyes, it was as if he’d planned the whole thing.

By the time I ushered Mrs. Trent and her demonic pet out, I had a multitude of scratches on my hands, some releasing steady drips of blood, and I was sure I had a couple on my face too. Before I was able to inspect the damage, my iPad beeped. I looked down and saw a last-minute appointment had been added. I glanced at the time, relieved I should be able to fit this one in before Tanner returned for our lunch date. My stomach did an immediate flip in excitement, and my dick twinged. Not the best reaction considering I had to step out into the waiting room and collect my next patient.

Quickly washing my hands, wincing at the cuts, I dabbed a paper towel across my face. The white towel came away with small drops of crimson. I rolled my eyes, thinking that if Scott was going to continue to steal my clients, it could happily be Mr. Snuggles.

Straightening myself, relieved my sore hand had calmed my erection, I opened the folder for more information on my next appointment as I left the examining room.

Rex, apparently.

I scanned for more details as I walked. It was a new client, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, age approximately two years old. I glanced around the waiting room; Rex was easy to spot. He was damn pony size. I never got over the fact of how huge these dogs were, nor how soft they could be.

“Rex.” My eyes then drifted to the owner, and I grinned.

Tanner stood, a wide grin spread across his face. “Hey.”

I tilted my head, my gaze drifting between Rex and Tanner, my grin still wide. “Do you want to come through?” I indicated the corridor behind me and watched as he stood, patting the dog’s head and offering him words of reassurance. My stomach flipped. He was so gorgeous.

Heading toward me, his smile became a smirk as he looked me up and down. His eyes lingered briefly on my face, focusing on my small scratches. I shrugged them off and beamed. It took all my willpower to lead him away rather than leaning in to kiss him. Clearing my throat, I led him to the examination room. “So,” I started once he was in the room and I’d closed the door behind him, “who do we have here?”

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