Amber will kill me if I’m late.
“Is it a good idea to get this attached to him, Mae?” Flo asks, frowning as she bends down to scratch Radish’s head. He’s staring at me with doe-like eyes.
I tell myself I don’t get attached, but I’m really starting to. I’m not making it any easier for myself with Radish, but I can’t bear the thought of him spending his days cooped up, alone in his kennel when he could be out exploring with me.
“When the time comes for him to be adopted, I’ll be able to let him go. But for now, I want to make sure he’s not wasting away at the shelter.”
“As long as you don’t end up hurt.” Flo opens the back of her car so Radish can jump in. “Both of you. Dogs can get attached, too.”
I laugh. “He’ll forget all about me once the right person comes along.”
My comment makes me scrunch up my nose in distaste, but I push the feeling aside and enter the bar, gaining aWhat time do you call this?look from Amber.
I sheepishly put on my apron and load the dishwasher.
It isn’t busy tonight, and thank God, because I can’t face another manic shift—not after having spent all day researching and applying to more veterinary programs.
The thought of leaving… I don’t like it. I couldn’t wait to get out of Montana when I was younger. Granted, we didn’t live in Missarali, but I never thought I’d dread moving away.
Moving away from Flo—again. Away from Poppy and the girls on the team. Away from Radish. And away from… Nathan.
It hurts like a bitch.
“Cheerleading didn’t work out, huh?”
I jump at the voice, turning to see Riley Donovan staring at me across the bar. He’s wearing his usual cocky grin, eyebrows raised.
“It’s a side job,” I state moodily. “What are you doing here, Riley? Shouldn’t you be with your team?”
“They all left for California this morning. I thought I’d make a quick pit stop on the way. I had some meetings with my new sponsor.”
I feel like scoffing. He’s so wealthy that he can hire his own private jet and divert it to a different state on the way to a game.
I’m not going to entertain it, though. I’m here to do my job. Right now, Riley is just another paying customer.
“Humble as always, Riley.” I fake a smile. “What can I get for you?”
“A Sprite will be fine.”
I fill a glass for him and accept his cash, staring at him when he doesn’t immediately leave the bar and find a seat. “Can I help you?”
He shrugs. “Not really. How was your camping trip? I saw the photos. It looked cute.”
It went well. We spent the entire day litter-picking the area, with Nathan and I secretly making out behind trees whenever we hung back from Poppy and Bennett. Bennett was too distracted, staring at the ground to notice. And Poppy was too busy rambling about her psychology assignment to him.
“You’re not going to get any information out of me.” I turn to the small crowd behind him “Who’s next?”
“Just trying to make friendly conversation, that’s all,” Riley says as I serve a middle-aged couple.
I’m unsure if Riley knew I worked here and came to irritate me just because of his conflict with Nathan or if this is merely some incredible coincidence.
“Mmm-hmm. Well, I’m not interested. I’m trying to work.”
“Feisty. Interesting. How's Nathan doing?”
“Why don’t you ask him?” My tone is bitter, and I sneak a glance at Amber, who’s studying Riley with suspicious eyes. She can tell he’s frustrating me, but she understands I can handle myself.
“I can’t tell if you’re frustrated because I’m asking about Nathan or because I’m—”
