He nodded. “I still can’t believe it’s finally here.”
“Yes, it is finally here,” Thad said. “So why don’t you take a minute to enjoy it instead of running around like a mother hen?”
“Someone has to run this place,” Von said. He took his phone out of his back pocket. “Okay, Evie, you said the mobile vet truck will be ready to roll by June, right? I’ve got you down for the third Thursday of every month.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Discounted vaccinations and free exams for service animals. I’ll have a link for customers to schedule their services as soon as Kara finishes my website.”
“Good,” Von said. A loud clang came from the vicinity of the kitchen.
“I’ll go see what that’s about,” Thad said.
“I’ve got it,” Von said. He stuffed his phone back in his pocket. “This place is going to fall down around us before the day is over.”
Bryson hooked a thumb in Von’s direction. “Does he seem a bit high-strung to anyone else?”
“He’s wound tighter than a fucking guitar string,” Thad said. “I’ll give him until the end of the week to get it out of his system, then I’m intervening.” He settled his elbows back on the bar. “By the way, the mobile vet thing is a genius idea, Evie.”
“You’re welcome,” Bryson said, grabbing a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the bar.
Evie rolled her eyes. “Yes, it was his idea, but I designed the interior space. It’s the perfect mobile clinic.”
Evie already had a host of businesses that had shown interest in her upcoming mobile vet clinic visiting, including several in small towns along the bayou where Bryson grew up. The ability to bring quality veterinary care to smaller,underserved communities was a bonus she hadn’t anticipated when she decided to act upon what had first been a joke between her and Bryson.
She planned to continue working at Barkingham Palace, but the rest of her time would go to her new venture. It felt as if she’d finally found her calling.
“The only thing she’s missing is a name,” Bryson said.
“You haven’t decided?” Ashanti asked.
“Nothing fits.” Evie shrugged. “I wanted to name it after Waffles, but every name I come up with sounds more like a food truck than a veterinary clinic.”
“Well, I still think you should go with Crescent City Mobile Clinic,” Ashanti said. “An ode to New Orleans is always a safe bet.”
Evie scrunched up her nose. “Half the businesses in this town are named Crescent City something or other.”
“Which should tell you something. It’s a good name.”
“Pugs and Kisses Veterinary Clinic,” Ridley said as she crossed Evie and took the seat next to her. She’d come from out of nowhere.
The four of them stared at her in complete silence.
“What?” Ridley asked with a shrug. “She owns a pug. Well, at least he’s part pug, right? Pugs and Kisses. You can cover the outside of the truck with pink kiss marks. People will love it.”
Thad’s head jerked back. “Whoareyou?”
“Weird, right?” Ashanti said.
“Weird, but brilliant,” Evie said. “I love Pugs and Kisses.”
Ridley grinned and winked. “Told you I would start doing good. This place looks really nice,” she said to Thad. “It’s not my usual scene, but I get the appeal.”
Von chose that moment to return. He stopped at the sight of Ridley.
Evie’s heart squeezed at the intense longing that played across his face. Ridley did a better job at masking her feelings, but Evie noticed the shaky breath her friend sucked in.
“Ridley,” Von said. “Thanks for coming.”
“Yeah, well, I know how important today is to all of you. I wanted to show my face.” She scooted off the stool she’d just climbed on. “I need to get going.”
