Page 19 of Love Out Loud

Still, part of her envied her besties. They didn’t seem to be held back by their relationships—they were enhanced by them. And honestly, Caitlin seemed to glow. Fiona was happy for her and Taylor. They had what very few couples found—certainly something she didn’t expect: complete and total balance. Heck, Fiona couldn’t even find balance in a simple conversation, much less a complex, long-term relationship. That’s why her dogs were the perfect roomies. They didn’t want to debate controversial topics, and they never complained over her choice of movie.

A knock came on the door, and then it opened immediately. Jane stuck her head in. “You have a personal call on hold, Fiona.”

That was weird. “Will you take a message, please? Sorry, I’m way behind and starving.” Four forty-five was way too late for lunch, and the trail mix she’d snacked on between patients wasn’t doing the trick. Her stomach was rebelling in a big way, growling and grumbling and trying to light her on fire from inside.

“I think you should take the call,” Jane said.

Fiona wiped her hands dry and rolled her eyes. “Having a best friend as a workmate and boss is a pain, you know.”

“We’re co-owners,” Jane said. “I’m not your boss.”

“Oh, good. Take a message, then.”

Jane arched a blond eyebrow. “Though, technically, I own more of the business than you do, so take the call.”

Fiona picked up the handset from the phone on the wall, staring at the ominous blinking light, wondering what had set Jane’s pants on fire like this. “Who is it?”

“Your public speaking coach.”

Huh. Why had Jacob called the business number? Hesitantly, she pushed the blinking button and put the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Will you be here at seven?” he asked. His voice sounded sharp. Maybe he had reconsidered and was irritated about the thing with the dogs this morning.

“Uh…” She plugged her other ear and closed her eyes, narrowing her world to only the phone so that she could focus on her words and not her two concerned friends watching her. Why hadn’t he texted? She was so much better in writing. “At your office?”

There was a pause. “Yes. At my office.”

“Um, yes. That’ll work fine.”

When nothing came from the other end, her hunger turned into nausea. God, she hated talking on the phone. “See you at seven.” Still nothing. “Bye.” She hung up but clung to the phone like a lifeline.

When she turned, both Caitlin and Jane were studying her. “What?”

“You look a little pale,” Jane said. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just hungry. I don’t have any more patients scheduled today. Do you mind if I knock off a little early?” When Jane continued to stare at her with a puzzled expression, she said, “I have an appointment to work on that speech, and I’m supposed to outline it before I go in tonight.” That should make her happy. “Plus, I need to get Otto and Daisy used to the puppy so that I can get some sleep tonight between feedings.”

Jane’s expression lightened a little, but there were still worry lines between her eyebrows. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. I’m perfectly okay,” Fiona answered. Yeah, okay, except for the fact she hadn’t eaten anything substantial all day, had to outline a speech she didn’t want to give, would be up every two hours to feed a puppy that some piece-of-crap human had dumped in the garbage, and had an appointment to see a hot guy who had mad-called her—a guy who was the opposite of what she needed but was becoming something she wanted. Badly. “I’m great.”

Ten minutes later, after scarfing down a granola bar she’d found in the break room, she headed out the door, with Otto and Daisy pulling in opposite directions on their leashes. She ignored the curious stares and avoided tangling up around living and inanimate objects as she navigated the brief distance to her apartment. Pulling back against the leashes looped over her elbow, she cradled the sleeping puppy against her chest in her other arm while trying to balance her heavy backpack on one shoulder, and she pushed the revolving door. From his place of honor, peeking out of the side pocket, rode Sir Squashalot, chirping enthusiastically with every step.

Yeah, she was just great.

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