Page 39 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
Still, I shoved Brady away, and he totally played along, acting like there was nothing going on. Then, apparently, Beau convinced Kasey I’d never risk hurting Brady by kissing him before my big move. So it’s pretty clear where everybody else stands on Brady and me getting together.
Squarely in thenocategory.
I sink back into the swivel chair and close my eyes, letting myself relive those kisses like I have a thousand times before. I’m right at the part where the press of Brady’s lips nearly launches me into space when he calls out from an exam room in the back.
“How’s it going in there?”
My cheeks flame up like we’ve been caught again. “I just finished rescheduling the last appointment,” I squeak out.And I definitely wasn’t imagining myself in your arms, if that’s what you’re thinking.
“When you’re done, could you please bring back the records for LuLu Jacobs?”
“Sure thing,” I chirp extra brightly. Not only do I want to keep Brady’s spirits up, but I’m also hoping he won’t figure out how affected I am by his proximity.
So I glance around the workspace, wondering where I might locate the clinic’s records. One wall of the office is lined with filing cabinets where they must keep all the animals’ records. Next to the desk is a scale, I assume for weighing pets on intake. There’s also a counter with a sink and bowls of treats for cats and dogs.
“By the way, LuLu is the mini chihuahua,” Brady calls out again. “Don’t mix her up with their bulldog, Luther.”
Minichihuahua? I thought all chihuahuas were miniature. Rifling through the file cabinet—under the letterJ—I find LuLu Jacobs, a teacup chihuahua. With her file in hand, I head to the back of the clinic. There’s a wall of kennels, most of which are empty, except for a sleeping cocker spaniel with long, luscious ears, and a basset hound whose forehead is so droopy, I can’t tell if he’s awake.
To the right of the kennels is an exam room, and Brady emerges from the open door. He’s changed into a pair of dark blue scrubs the exact color of his eyes. The V-shaped neckline shows just a hint of his pecs, and the short sleeves reveal an impressive swell of biceps. The bottoms of the scrubs are cinched just below his waist.
Gulp.
In Brady’s arms is a tiny dog that can’t weigh more than three or four pounds. Her fur is mostly white, with big black patches. Two brown eyes take up most of her face. Brady lifts her, and her ears twitch. “Natalie, meet LuLu.”
“Hello, LuLu,” I coo. Her eyebrows arch, two tiny wedges above her eyes.
“LuLu, this is Natalie,” Brady says to the dog. “She’salmostas pretty as you are. But don’t worry. You’ll always be my best girl.” As he cradles LuLu to his chest, my insides somersault. He’s so gentle. I’ve never seen him like this before.
“What happened to her?”
Brady turns her body to show me a jagged wound with fresh stitches along her side. “She and Luther got into it over the weekend.”
“Oh, no.” I cringe. “The bulldog? The one from the same household?”
“Yeah.” Brady exhales, and his shoulders sink. “LuLu and Luther have been coming here for years.”
“And he attacked her? That’s horrible!”
“It’s complicated.” Brady’s mouth is grim. “The Jacobs are out of town, and the dog sitter tried feeding them his leftover hamburger. He’s a good kid, he just didn’t know any better. LuLu and Luther both went after the burger at the same time. Got in a scuffle.” Brady frowns. “Happens sometimes with food.” He lifts LuLu to his chin and speaks to her in a soft voice. “Apparently Miss LuLu here thinks she’s a whole lot bigger than she is. Don’t you, Lu?” My insides were already leaping, but Brady’s sweetness might catapult me into orbit. He turns, and his gaze drops to the file I’m holding. “Thanks for bringing that to me.”
“Of course.” I hand the file over, hoping my hands don’t start trembling. “Whatever I can do to help.”
With LuLu still cradled in one arm, Brady takes the cream-colored folder with his free hand. Setting the file on the counter, he flips to a chart. His brow furrows as he studies the numbers.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“I hope so,” he says without making eye contact. “She’s on multiple meds for pain and infection, and with her size and age, she really should have her heart rate, pulse, and oxygen levels checked every few hours.” Slipping his phone from his pocket, he taps at the screen with just his thumb. His moves are quick and dexterous, and my heart skips a beat. As he switches to speaker mode, the call goes straight to voicemail.
“Hey, Dr. Swanson.” He glances at me, then back at LuLu. “I don’t want to disturb you, but you asked me to check in. I examined LuLu, and she seems stable for now. I’ll re-bandage the wound and do some bloodwork, but don’t worry. She’s getting the care she needs. The other dogs too. We’re all good here.”
We’re all good.
“No need to reply,” he continues. “I’ll update you in the morning. But if you have any questions before then, you know how to reach me.” Brady ends the call and shoves the phone in the back pocket of his scrubs. When his eyes dart to the clock above us, he frowns.
“What’s wrong?”
“My place isn’t that far from here, but going back and forth in between checking the animals won’t be worth the trip. Plus LuLu’s so fragile. Hmm.” He closes his eyes, pressing his lips together while he thinks. “If Doc Swanson weren’t at the hospital…” He takes another beat, then opens his eyes. “I’m going to stay here.”
