Celia twists her red painted lips to the side. “Tell you what, my boss is in next week and I’ll pass along your information to her. I can’t make any promises, but I’ll let you know. And if we don’t have room on our team for you, I’mhappy to try connecting you with some of our foster programs to see if they need any extra hands.”
My shoulders sag in gratitude. “Thank you so much, that would be amazing. I really appreciate it.”
She waves me off. “Would you like to see some of the fuzzy faces we have right now?”
“As long as you don’t let me sneak any into my bag on the way out.”
She laughs brightly and grabs a set of keys. “You do the same for me, okay?”
I leavethe shelter feeling simultaneously lighter than I have all week and with a heavy heart. Celia was great, showing me around and telling me about their different outreach programs with the community. As we walked around, I could picture myself working there and feeling like I finally have a sense of purpose.
But at the same time, seeing all the animals waiting for their forever homes squeezed my heart in an iron fist.
One day, I’ll have a big house to be able to take in as many as I can.
Marley texts me after I stop by the grocery store.
Marley: Has she tried calling again?
Me: Once again last Thursday but nothing this week
Marley: How are you feeling?
Me: I know it’s not healthy but Reid’s been a good distraction from it
Marley: Hey if it’s getting you through it then I’m for it
Marley: Are you meeting us at the speakeasy tonight or do you want us to wait for you here?
Me: Go on ahead. We’ll meet you out
Marley: See you in a bit!
I stopby my apartment to grab everything I need to get ready. Sara heard news about a new speakeasy that’s opened and wants to go check it out, so Reid and I, her and Marley, and a few other friends are headed out there tonight.
Macaroni rubs against my legs as I gather my makeup. “I promise we’re coming back here to sleep tonight, okay, buddy?” I bend down and scratch his ears. “Although that means you have to share your side of the bed again.” He simply flops on his back.
Before I leave, I give him a few extra treats. He gobbles them up and runs straight to his favorite spot on the couch.
“I’ll be back soon!” I tell him.
Traffic is pretty heavy heading over to Reid’s, and I’m surprised I haven’t heard from him, wondering where I am.
When I approach his driveway, there’s another car sitting there. It’s flashy, with tinted windows, a sleek frame, and tires with brilliant metallic rims. I don’t think I’ve seen it before.
Once the garage finishes opening, I pull inside and grab my things. Entering through the garage door to the house, the alarm pings, alerting that the door was opened, which Reid showed me how to arm and disarm last week.
Voices ring out from the kitchen and I follow the sound. Peeking around the corner, I see Reid leaning against one side of the counters, while a man who I instantly recognize from his pictures everywhere sits on the countertop across from Reid.
Nikolai Brooks. His blond hair creates a golden halo around his head, flowing effortlessly down behind his ears. He tilts his head back in laughter and hell, it’s no wonder the guys made him their frontman. He’s beautiful in a way not many men are.
But then my attention is stolen by the woman standing between his legs, leaning back into his embrace. When I take her in, my feet almost stumble in their tracks.
She has to be one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Instantly, I notice the striking resemblance to Walker, who I met at work when he and Reid sat down. Her hair is thick and glossy, falling in a curtain over her left shoulder. The green of her eyes is just as captivating as the smile that lifts her full lips.
The two of them, both dressed in all black, are a powerful force that dominates all the energy in the kitchen.
Even with Reid’s presence in the mix.
