It was Bryson’s turn to wear the crinkled forehead look.
Had he heard the receptionist correctly? If Evie didn’t want to see Cameron, she should leave? What was going on here?
“This is the last of my stuff,” Evie continued. “If there’s anything I’ve missed, please just hold it here at reception and I’ll come by and pick it up tomorrow.”
The receptionist nodded, her expression solemn. “Good luck, Dr. Williams.”
“Thanks,” Evie said. Her smile was forced. He could tell by the tightness around her mouth.
He needed to get over to The Sanctuary, but that would have to take a back seat until he figured out just what in the hell was going on here on Maple Street.
“Evie—”
“Would you mind getting that?” she asked, gesturing to the door with her chin.
Remembering the manners his mama taught him, Bryson set Bella’s carrier on the floor and lifted the box from Evie’s arms. He nodded at the carrier. “Can you carry Bella for me?”
“I can carry the box,” Evie said.
“I know you can, but I’ve got it,” Bryson said. “Now, where am I bringing it?”
“You never answered my question. I asked what are you doing here?” Evie said. “And why are you wearing scrubs? I’m confused, Bryson.”
That made two of them. Or three of them, counting the receptionist. Shit, Bella was probably confused too.
“First, tell me where to bring the box; then we can clear up all the confusion.”
Evie picked up the carrier and led him out of the clinic. She pointed to the vehicles lining the curb.
“It’s the gray SUV,” she said.
She pressed a button on the key fob as she descended the steps. By the time they arrived at the SUV, the trunk door had lifted, but the cargo area was already filled with boxes.
“You can put it on top of that flat one,” Evie said.
Bryson set the box where she instructed, then hooked his thumb at the trunk and asked, “What is all this, Evie? What’s going on?”
She looked over at the clinic, then, after releasing a deep sigh, looked back at him and said, “I’m clearing out my things. This is my last day at Maple Street Animal Clinic.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Anews chopper flying overhead drowned out Bryson’s response, but Evie had always been good at reading lips. Especially his. She’d spent an entire summer suppressing the urge to burst out laughing at the silly comments he would mouth as Dr. Landry explained the procedures he was performing on rescues at The Sanctuary. Among other things.
Yeah, she had intimate knowledge of Bryson Mitchell’s lips.
Once the chopper flew past them, Evie answered the question he’d choked out.
“Yes, I am serious,” she said. “I no longer work at Maple Street Animal Clinic.”
Based on the way his forehead creased, it looked as if he was having a hard time processing her statement. That made two of them. She still had not fully grasped that she would no longer work here either.
But Evie was having just as difficult a time processing the fact that Bryson was standing in front of her. He started to speak, but she held up a hand.
“Before you ask another question, I needyouto provide some answers. What are you doing here? And by here I mean in New Orleans?” She gestured to his clothing. “And why are you wearing scrubs? I assumed you’d flown back to Raleigh after your presentation Saturday night.”
His brow arched in surprise.
“What? You think I don’t know that you live in Raleigh?” Evie said with a laugh. She may not have had contact with him for the past eight years, but she had googled him once or twice.
