“We’re not compatible,” Lauren said. “We’re not! He’s an arrogant know-it-all whose heart has been replaced with robotic parts or something, because he doesn’t seem to feel human emotions. He’s rude. He thinks the Cat Café is ridiculous. And he just got divorced and doesn’t want a relationship. What on earth could we be to each other?”
Evan mimed making dollar bills rain.
“What does that mean?” Diane asked.
“Evan bet Lauren ten bucks she’d marry Caleb,” said Paige.
“He’s going to lose that bet,” said Lauren.
“I’m not. You just heard how hard she protested. Sheloveshim. She’s going tomarryhim.”
“Nope,” said Lauren.
Diane clapped. “Oh, I do love you guys. But Dr. Fitch seems like such a nice young man. I’m surprised you don’t get along.”
Lauren sighed.
“I’m not even saying you and Dr. Fitch will be like me and Winnie. Because Winnie was one in a million. God, I miss her sometimes.”
Lauren reached out and touched Diane’s arm comfortingly.
Evan, who had always been uncomfortable with deeply emotional moments, said, “But you can see certain parallels.”
“Maybe,” said Diane. Her smile was enigmatic.
Lauren shook her head. “You’re wrong.”
“I take cash or check,” said Evan.
Lauren rolled her eyes and left to check on Monique. She heard Evan and Diane laughing together behind her.
***
Caleb was manning the front desk when Lauren walked into the clinic. When she spotted Caleb, she frowned.
“It is I, chopped liver,” he said.
Lauren sighed. “Is Olivia here?”
“No, she left about twenty minutes ago. Her daughter had a sporting event of some sort. That kid does, like, eight sports, so I don’t remember which one it is tonight. Soccer? Who knows?”
“Yeah, thanks. Damn.”
“What do you need?”
The grimace Lauren made told Caleb all he needed to know about how much esteem she held for him. But she said, “She said she had flyers for the kittens that I could distribute during the adoption event. She said to come pick them up tonight.”
“Yes, I have those.” Caleb pulled a manila envelope from a drawer in the desk. “Olivia doesn’t know you and I are sworn enemies, so she left them for me to give you.”
“You’re not my…” Lauren pressed a hand to her forehead, took a deep breath, and held her hand out for the envelope.
Caleb held the envelope for a moment. “You’re going to take this the wrong way, but I find you incredibly hot when you’re mad at me.”
It was a dumb thing to say. He knew it would offend her. But once the thought popped into his head, he couldn’t stop himself from saying it. Because the truth was, though he didn’t relish arguments, part of him enjoyed riling her up.
“That… That was a terrible thing to say.”
“It’s true.” Might as well lean in, he reasoned. He grinned at her. “You’re standing there glowering at me, and you’ve never looked sexier.”
