Page 45 of Fall Hard

“Hello sweetheart,” I crooned as I pet him, a softer smile landing on my face when I saw Bryn being treated similarly by a fluffy german shepherd.

May strode over to the corner of the room to comfort a more timid looking dog whose breed I couldn’t recognise. They were small with a brown and gold coat and big brown eyes, he sniffed cautiously at us before giving a wiggle in May’s arms and jumping down to sniff more at my legs and then Bryn’s.

“This is Truffle. He’s a bit of a scaredy cat with new people.”

I sat on the beige laminate floor and waited for Truffle to come over to me, letting him sniff and lick my hand before I stroked over his head and back. Within moments he’d flopped over for belly rubs and May smiled.

“Looks like he likes you.”

I hardly even registered her words as the german shepherd made its way over to me too, looking for attention and I smiled at the name on his collar.

“Hey Angus,” I murmured as I ran my fingers under his chin, sinking them into his soft fur. His ears hadn’t been cropped and folded over each other adorably, as he whined for more pets. “Thank you,” I said to Bryn as May distracted the majority of the dogs by putting some food out for them. Only Truffle stayed with me, half on my lap as I stroked him. “This was exactly what I needed.”

She sat down next to me and Truffle immediately licked her hand when she reached between us to tickle his belly. “You seem at ease here.”

I nodded. It was true. Something about being around animals just made me feel calmer, like all my tension had drained away and any irritating thoughts buzzing around in my brain were finally muffled.

“May was telling me that the girl she was training here moved to Boston recently.”

I hummed to show I was listening as I gave my attention to Truffle.

“So she has an opening.”

My hand stilled and Truffle gave a tiny bark that made my hand immediately start to move again. “An opening?”

Bryn shrugged. “I mean, if it’s not your thing then that’s alright, but May needs help running this place and is open to taking on someone new. Even someone inexperienced.”

Was she saying…? “Me?”

“It could be,” she said, tilting her head to look at the dogs happily munching away on some dried biscuits and letting me process her words before she turned back, her blue eyes burning into mine. “It’s up to you.”

Me. My choice.Mine.

I cleared my throat as I nodded slightly. “What about college?” It was only a small thought at the back of my mind, but this just didn’t feel… real. I knew I didn’t like my course, knew that academia wasn’t the place I wanted to be, but I still somehow felt like I had to do it.

Why?A small voice whispered in my head and the truth was that I didn’t have an answer—I’d just spent so long being told that this was the path I had to take that the thought of doing something else almost seemed illogical, even if this would make me happy.

“What about it?” Bryn said with a light shrug and I wanted to cry, unexpectedly. Maybe the rest didn’t need to matter, didn’t even bear thinking about. Maybe I just had to do this because it was what felt right, feltgoodeven.

I didn’t reply, just continued patting Truffle until he finally seemed to realize he was missing out on food and scrambled up to find the bowl waiting for him before one of the other dogs could eat his portion.

May strolled back over to us, her brown-green eyes watching my face intently before she nodded, as if pleased by what she found there. “How’re we doing over here?”

“Bryn said you’re looking to take on someone new? To train?” I said quickly and May smiled.

“I am.”

I swallowed and tried not to grimace, my mouth felt too dry. “I don’t have any experience, but I’d be willing to learn if you’d have me.”

A pleased smile took over her face as May clasped her hands together in front of her body. “I think I’d like that. These guys seem to like you, and it’s clear you like them—there’s no better test or qualification than that.”

Relief had my shoulders relaxing. “What would the hours be?”

May laughed. “Well, why doesn’t Bryn stay here with this lot while you and I go to the front desk to talk more?”

“I’d love that,” I said, a little breathless and saw Bryn smile out of the corner of my eye as May turned toward the door. “I knew letting you be in charge of my life was a good idea,” I muttered to Bryn as I walked past and she smirked.

“I’ll remind you that you said that the next time you’re mad I’m dragging you out of bed.”

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