Okay, fine. She’d lost count of the number of times she’d looked him up over the years. Scores of veterinarians probably did the same. His research was some of the most exciting to happen in their industry in decades.
Yeah, you looked him up because of his research.
“I no longer live in Raleigh,” Bryson said. He gestured to his clothes. “And I’m dressed this way because I came straight from my new job at the surgical hospital in Metairie.”
Evie tried to close her mouth, but she would have had an easier time running a full marathon backward. She could not have heard what she thought she heard.
“Excuse me? Your new job where?”
His phone rang. He grabbed it from the back pocket of his scrubs.
“That’s Odessa,” Bryson said before swiping across the screen and answering. “Hey, Odessa, tell Doc I’m on my way. I’m with Evie now.” He glanced at her. “Give us another fifteen minutes.”
Evie shook her head, as if that would help to clear the jumbled mess crowding it.
“Bryson, what is this new job? And what’s happening in fifteen minutes? What is going on?”
“I can take Bella,” Bryson said, reaching for the dog carrier.
“I’ve got the dog,” Evie said. She held up the carrier. The adorable papillon staring back at her was the exact opposite of the kind of dog she would expect him to own. “Hi, Bella, I’m Evie,” she said. She returned her attention to Bryson. “Start explaining, please.”
“Are you holding my dog hostage?” Bryson asked, a hint of amusement coloring his voice.
“Maybe,” Evie said. “Now, answer my questions.”
The left side of his mouth tilted up and Evie was immediately catapulted back to that summer she’d spent staring at that smile. She shut the door on the memories. She wasnotgoing there.
“Well?” she prompted.
“To give you the short-and-sweet version, I’m the new surgeon on staff at the Animal Surgical Center of Southeast Louisiana. And, if you have time, Doc needs us at The Sanctuary in fifteen minutes.” He held up his hands. “Don’t ask me what it’s about because I don’t know. Odessa called as I was leaving the hospital. She said Doc has been trying to get in touch with you, but his call keeps going to voicemail.”
Evie frowned. “I have my phone on do not disturb,” she said. Only the people in her favorites could get through to her. “And you don’t know what Doc wants?”
Bryson shook his head.
“Did he—” she started, but the sight of a Mercedes-Benzturning into the driveway that ran alongside the clinic put a halt to her words.
“Shit, that’s Cameron,” Evie said. “I wanted to be gone before he got back.” She handed Bryson the dog carrier. “I need to get my dog from the daycare in another forty-five minutes. Hopefully whatever Doc needs won’t take too long.”
“I’ll meet you there,” Bryson said.
The Sanctuary was less than a ten-minute drive from the clinic. She caught sight of the gray Jeep Bryson had driven off in and parked her SUV at the curb in front of the nondescript building next to The Sanctuary.
Bryson was waiting at the entrance. With the dog carrier in his left hand, he used the other to open the door for her.
“Thank you,” Evie said.
Odessa stood from behind her desk when they entered. She didn’t look in distress, which Evie took as a good sign.
“Is everything okay with Doc?” Evie asked.
“I already told this one here that Doc is fine,” Odessa said, hooking a thumb toward Bryson. “There’s been a few… developments,” she said. “He just wants to discuss them with the two of you. He’s in his office.”
Evie led the way to Doc’s office, which was at the very end of the hallway, at the back of the building. Bryson remained a couple of feet behind her, but it didn’t stop her from feeling his nearness on her skin.
She rapped on the closed office door.
“Doc?” Evie called.
