Holly found herself opening up about him helping her bake cookies and sharing a couple of meals.And then the words came tumbling out about the almost kiss last night.
“So, now I don’t know what to do,” Holly said.“I don’t know if I read things right last night or not.”
“Uh-huh.”Belle leaned back in her chair and was quiet for a moment.“Here’s what I think you should do…”
What should he do?
All day long, Colin was thinking up reasons to go see Holly.So far, he hadn’t come up with a legit reason to go knocking on her door.Still, he wasn’t giving up.
He’d seen her surprise at all of the animals when she’d visited his place.She’d tried to hide her reaction, but he could tell she felt overwhelmed.It wasn’t the first time it had happened.In the past, he’d excuse the reaction and assure himself that his girlfriend would get used to having all of the animals around.
At first, they would think the dogs, cats, and assorted pets were cute.But as time went by, they realized that most of those animals were staying permanently, and the ones that left for new homes would be replaced by other animals with equally heartbreaking stories.It was at this point that his relationships fizzled out.
He knew it would take a very special woman to fit into his world.He was starting to think she didn’t exist.So, he’d given up on women and instead turned his full focus on helping animals.
His thoughts turned to that moment when he’d almost kissed Holly.He’d been so tempted.If she hadn’t moved, he would have given into his desire and pressed his lips to hers.
Just the thought had his heart thumping.But kissing her would change their relationship.It would then include expectations and obligations.This is the point where all of his past relationships had started to go off the rails.
Maybe if he could keep things friendly, he could keep Holly in his life.Now that they’d renewed their friendship, he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it.
He shoved aside the thoughts as he ducked out of the clinic after seeing his last patient.He didn’t do any of his office work.He didn’t hang around and speak to the staff like he normally did.
He planned to spend some time with his own animals while he worked to come up with even the flimsiest excuse to go see Holly.He tried to tell himself he wasn’t falling for her, but that wasn’t the truth.He was falling head over heels.It was scary and exhilarating at the same time.He’d never felt like this about a woman.
He knew he had to take his time with her.He didn’t want to scare her off.And he knew she had old wounds when it came to letting down her guard with people.But he wasn’t just anyone.He was one of her oldest friends.That had to count for something.
He raced upstairs to change into some casual clothes before wrestling with the dogs.He had to be careful they didn’t get too rowdy in the house.He didn’t want them getting hurt.
Knock-knock-knock.
The dogs barked as they ran for the door.“Thor!Spuds!Harley!Come.”After a few more barks, they came back into the living room.“Sit.”He had to tell them a couple more times.
Some more knocking drew his attention back to the front door.That was strange.He wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Coming!”He got up off the floor and moved to the front door.He swung it open and blinked.“Holly, what are you doing here?”
She smiled at him, which made his heart thump.In one arm, she held Tater Tot in a little red and green plaid coat, and in her other hand was a pizza box.She held it out to him.“I brought dinner.”Then her smile faltered.“Unless you’ve already eaten.”
“I haven’t.”He pushed the door open wider.“Here.Come on in.”
She stepped inside, and the three dogs rushed to the door.When the dogs barked, he told them to quiet.They listened to him as he closed the door.
He smiled as he led her to the kitchen.His smile faltered when he saw the stack of dirty dishes in the sink.And his unread mail scattered over the table.“Uh, sorry about the mess.I wasn’t expecting company.”
She sent him a reassuring smile.“Don’t be sorry.It just makes you more human rather than some sort of super hero.”
“Super hero?”He couldn’t help but laugh.No one had ever called him that.He shook his head as he gathered himself.“I’m no super hero.”
“That’s not what a lot of pet parents say.I’ve heard them sing your praises all over town.You’re always on call for emergencies.It’s great how you always putting your patients first.”
He didn’t say anything.He didn’t know what to say.All of the things she’d just said were the reasons that none of his romantic relationships had ever worked out in the past.He wondered if she’d still feel the same way if they were in a relationship, and his work interrupted their evenings together.
He washed his hands and then opened a cabinet.There were no clean plates.A super hero would definitely have clean dishes when the prettiest woman in the world brought him dinner.
“How’s paper plates?”he asked.
“Sounds good to me.”
