Page 5 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire
"No, I grew up here left and came back but that’s a story for another day," she replies with a smile.
"Good for you. Well, I’m still settling in, but I figured I might as well see what’s available here. I like the idea of being around animals.”
Emma nods, the corner of her mouth curving up in a smile. “You’ve definitely come to the right place if you’re looking for a quiet life, and if you’re comfortable with a bit of chaos now and then.” She pauses. “We can always use someone who’s reliable and loves animals. I think you’ll fit right in.”
I feel a bit of tension leave my shoulders, like she’s just confirmed that this can actually work. Maybe Ocean Bay isn’t such a bad place to hide out after all.
“I’d love that,” I say, leaning back in the chair. “It sounds like exactly what I need right now.”
There’s a quiet moment, and Emma’s expression softens. “I get it,” she says, almost like she’s reading my mind. “When I first lost my grandmother, I came here for a change. A chance to breathe. And I’m sure that’s what you’re looking for, too, right?”
I freeze, the air feeling suddenly thicker. Her words cut deeper than I expected, though I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s just the way she seems to understand, to know, without me even saying it.
For a brief moment, I feel something in my chest tighten, and I quickly glance down at my lap. “Yeah,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady. “I think I just need something… simple. A place where I can focus on something other than the chaos I left behind.”
Emma’s eyes are kind, her smile knowing. “I understand. I really do. Gracie used to say that when life gets complicated, sometimes you just need a fresh start. And I think this place can give you that.”
I nod, appreciating her words more than I want to admit. It’s not often I’ve been this open with a stranger, but somethingabout Emma makes it easy. She’s not prying; she’s just offering support, no questions asked.
“If you decide to join us, you’ll have a place here,” Emma continues, her tone gentle but firm. “It’s a small town, but we all look out for each other. And we treat each other like family, too.”
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words settle in. It’s like she just handed me a lifeline, I wish I could take it as easily as it's offered. A chance to start over, not just in Bayview, but within myself.
“I’d really like that,” I say, my voice steady now. “Thank you, Emma.”
She stands and gestures toward the back of the clinic. “Let’s get you set up, then. I’ll have you start with light duties today, just to see how you feel. And don’t worry about your ferrets, they’re more than welcome to hang out with us.”
I glance over at the cage, where Pip and Nibbs are now dozing off, looking peaceful for the moment. For the first time in a while, I feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe this is what I need. A chance to breathe, a chance to start over. And maybe, just maybe, this quiet town can give me that.
***
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a week since I started working at Gracie’s Animal Haven. Time moves differently here — slower, but somehow more fulfilling. I’m starting to settle into the routine, and I can’t help but feel grateful. The clinic feels like home in a way I never expected. It’s not just the animals, although they certainly help. It’s the people.
When I first walked through those doors, unsure of what to expect, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought I’d be working under the radar, quietly handling appointments and keeping the clinic running smoothly. What I didn’t realize wasthat I’d be treated like one of them from the moment I stepped inside.
Dr. Emma, the veterinarian and owner, is the calm in the storm here. She has a way of making everyone feel welcome, of making the clinic feel like a true family. She doesn’t treat me like an outsider, even though I’m new and still figuring things out. She’s warm, kind, and strong, and when she talks about the clinic, it’s clear that she pours her heart into it every day.
Pearl, the clinic’s receptionist, has been showing me the ropes. She’s a few years older than me, with a no-nonsense attitude and a dry wit that has me laughing more than I care to admit. At first, I was intimidated by her confidence, but after a few days of working together, I realized she’s just looking out for me. We’ve fallen into a comfortable routine, and I’m starting to feel like I belong.
Stella, Emma’s best friend, is always around, usually with a coffee in hand. She’s loud, passionate, and has an infectious energy that draws people in. Claire, another coworker who handles the medical side of things, is quieter but just as supportive. She’s the one who helps me with the animals when things get chaotic, offering advice when I need it.
Together, they make up a small but tight-knit team. I never expected to feel so at home here, so quickly. I came to Ocean Bay thinking I’d be a ghost, blending in with the town’s quiet charm and avoiding anything that might tie me down. But here, I’m more than just the quiet girl with ferrets. I’m starting to be Lucy, the girl who loves animals, the one who can make the clinic’s front desk run smoothly, the one who gets along with the people around her.
Each day, I find peace in the small moments. The way the sun filters through the clinic’s windows as the day starts. The sound of a dog’s tail thumping against the floor in the waiting area.The quiet hum of the animals in the back, each one with its own story, its own needs.
And then there’s the writing. I’ve started journaling at night, after I’ve wrapped up the day’s work and taken care of Pip and Nibbs. I write to process everything — the grief that still hangs over me like a cloud, the weight of my father’s expectations, the uncertainty of my future.
I haven’t written about my father much. I don’t know if I ever will. But in the silence of the night, with only the sound of my pen scratching against paper, I feel a little lighter. It’s like I’m slowly peeling away the layers of myself, letting go of the weight of everything I’ve been running from.
Today, I’m sitting at the desk in the back room, filling out some paperwork for the clinic’s records. It’s not the most exciting task, but I don’t mind it. The clinic is quiet today — fewer appointments, fewer animals needing immediate care. It’s the perfect time for me to get things done.
I glance at the calendar on the wall and see a note about the upcoming tech upgrade Emma mentioned last week. I haven’t really thought much about it. I’m not exactly tech-savvy, and I’m not sure how this upgrade will change things around here. Emma said something about helping small businesses in town with better digital tools, and I get the feeling that whatever happens, it’ll be good for the clinic.
“Hey, Lucy,” Pearl says, popping her head into the room. “You doing okay?”
I look up and smile. “Yeah, I’m good. Just catching up on some stuff.”
“You’re a hard worker, I’ll give you that,” she says with a grin. “We’re lucky to have you. You’ve really blended in well.”
