Page 16 of We Can Stay
“Hey, Sebastian,” Rach says, and I can hear the reluctance in her voice. “Sorry to call. We just need some advice. There’s a dog who’s been hit by a car. His leg—the bone is protruding, and Amy’s never handled a compound fracture this severe?—”
“I’ll come take a look.”
She hesitates. Rach would never call me in unless it was serious. She’s protective of my rare time off, which means this must be bad.
“I’ll be there in five,” I tell her. “Prep for surgery. See you soon.”
I hang up and turn to Flick, my chest tight with regret. “I need to go look at this dog. I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s okay.” She touches my forearm, and that simple contact ignites something deep in my chest. Walking away from her feels physically painful.
“I don’t want to go.” I duck my head, meeting her gaze. “Really.”
“I know.” Her smile is soft, understanding. “Next time.”
I nod firmly. “Oh, there will definitely be a next time.”
I help her to her feet, neither of us releasing the other’s hand as we walk to the door. “I’ll call you.”
“Please do.” She rises on her toes to brush a kiss across my cheek. I have to stop myself from pulling her to me and devouring her. There’s an injured dog waiting. Groaning under my breath, I pull back and step out the door.
“Bye.”
“Bye.” She gives a little wave as she closes the door.
I practically float to my car, grinning like an idiot. My phone is still warm in my pocket, and I can’t resist hitting her number.
“Hey,” she answers, laughter already in her voice. “Did you forget something?”
“I said I would call you.” I slide behind the wheel.
She chuckles. “And so you did.”
“Seriously, though, thank you for tonight. I really can’t wait to see you again.”
Silence stretches between us, and my heart pounds. Did I oversell? Come on too strong?
But then she says, “I can’t wait either,” soft and sure, and I can breathe again.
“Until then.”
“Until then,” she echoes.
I pull out of the parking lot, that smile still stretching my face. The emergency surgery waiting for me doesn’t dim my mood. Nothing could, not after tonight.
I don’t just feel like I’ve won the lottery.
I feel like I just became king of the whole world.
CHAPTER 5
Flick
“Be a good kitty.” I pause at the front door, second-guessing leaving the house. What if Cat chases a toy under the bookcase and gets stuck? What if she knocks something off a shelf and onto her tail? What if...
“Stop it.” I say out loud, shaking my head at the spiraling thoughts.
What is wrong with me? I can’t stop living my life because of this kitten. I have a Chronic Pain Crafters meetup to get to and I’m already running late—and then a date with Sebastian after that.
