Page 62 of Love Out Loud

Fiona’s throat closed as she stared at the words. She looked up at Boris, whose head was cocked as he studied her from the exam table, then looked at Mrs. Krenshaw, who was preparing to drape poor Boris in yellow roses this time, and last, she glanced over her shoulder at Addison, who looked like she’d just seen a flock of flying pigs.

She wanted to snatch the article out of the trash but knew that would look beyond strange, so instead she picked up the chart, made notes on Boris’s visit, and handed it to Addison.

“No charge today, of course, Mrs. Krenshaw. It was a follow-up for the skin fold pyoderma.”

“Thank you, doctor. I appreciate it.” She slipped the blue cape covered in yellow roses over Boris’s back, snapped on his leash, and left the room.

Addison moved to the doorway and stopped. “You talked to the human.” Her freckled face stretched in a grin as she grabbed the doorknob.

Addison was right. She hadn’t hidden behind Boris. She’d spoken directly to someone who was not a close friend. And it was because of Jake. Her heart expanded and felt like it might hammer right out of her rib cage as she returned Addison’s grin.

The minute the door closed, Fiona practically dove for the article, pulling it out from under her exam gloves. Like food for a starving woman, she gobbled up the words. As she read, her knees got weak and her vision blurred.

That man. That beautiful, kind man had not only apologized, he’d done it publicly. Far more public than her speech. She read the last sentences again.

So, unlike Professor Higgins, who maintained his rigid position until the end, resulting in the loss of possibly the only woman he had ever loved or ever would, I am admitting I was wrong. I saw a shy woman and was convinced I could change her and mold her into something she was not and had no desire to be, when, in truth, I was the one who needed to change. I was the one with obstacles that were holding me back from success—maybe not as a speech coach but as a human being. Eliza turned the mirror I had held up to her and showed me my own flaws, and I am grateful.

A knock came on the door, but instead of dropping the magazine in the trash can this time, she put it in the top drawer of the cabinet.

“Your next patient is here,” Addison said.

Fiona made a show of washing her hands, hoping her face was clear of any evidence of crying by the time she turned around.

“Great. What do we have?” she asked, back still to Addison.

“Eleven-week-old canine female in for a post-adoption wellness check.”

Fiona turned around to find a familiar pup tugging at the neckline of Addison’s shirt with her tiny, needle-sharp milk teeth.

“Brutus!” Fiona said in delight. She held out her arms, and Addison handed over the wiggly puppy. Fiona buried her face in the soft fur, reveling in the puppy smell that was universal to dogs. “Hi there, sweet girl,” Fiona cooed. “You’ve grown!”

“She was adopted last night.” Addison held the chart out, flashing that grin again.

They put the names of the pets and the owners not only on the side tabs but in block letters, including breed, across the front of the chart.

ELIZA

Pomeranian Mix

H. Higgins

Fiona’s breaths came in short puffs, and her heart raced. “Where’s the owner?” she whispered.

Addison’s only answer was a grin.

“Where is the owner?” Fiona said louder, suddenly feeling frantic.

Jane stuck her head in. “Everything okay in here?”

A tear rolled down Fiona’s cheek. “It won’t be if someone doesn’t tell me who brought this dog in.” She held the pup even tighter against her chest, hoping, praying this wasn’t some twisted coincidence.

Jane shrugged, smiling ear to ear.

“When this is over, you owe me donuts for life, Jane,” Fiona said, shaking a finger at her.

And then, wearing a T-shirt that said “The Dogfather” in the same distinctive font as the famous movie, Jake appeared in the hallway, just outside the exam room door. “I’ll give you donuts for life. I’ll give you anything as long as ‘for life’ is a part of the deal,” he said.

Jane grabbed Addison, who was openly gawking, and yanked her from the room, forcing Jake to take a step back to let them pass.

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