“We’ll take as many as you can make. There are times where we do fifty appointments in one day. We can also use them after we give the kittens flea baths.”
I stare at the kitten who sleeps peacefully in the teal fabric. There’s not a care in the world on the feline’s face as, and a deep sense of warmthfills my chest.
Even if I can’t make Blair happy, at least I made a kitten happy.
“You’ve done a great thing,” Ivan says. “Seriously Travis, we appreciate all the help.”
I shrug. “Beats bartending,” I say.
“I need to learn to swaddle!” Maeve exclaims. “Especially when we do the kitten’s flea baths. These will help so much!” She pulls out the rest of the blankets in the bag while Ivan takes the swaddled kitten to the back of the clinic.
I watch Maeve marvel at each blanket I brought, and for a moment, not everything hurts as much.
That’s when I scent her.
It’s subtle at first.
There’s the lightest whiff of violets with a subtle note of sugar.
Gradually, it grows.
If Maeve notices, she doesn’t make it obvious, but every cell in my body screamsBlair.
Scent match.
I think my mind is playing tricks on me, especially when I hear her voice.
“So, it’s been you this whole time, huh?” Her tone is joking, but it’s strained.
I hope that I haven’t lost my mind.
Maybe this is it.
Maybe my inner Alpha has resorted to hallucinations just to deal with her absence.
Hell, I’ve been stress-sewing kitten blankets, so who knows.
But I turn around, hoping that maybe I haven’t lost my last shreds of sanity.
Because standing behind me, as breathtaking as ever, is Blair.
I stop breathing.
“You didn’t tell me,” she murmurs, her eyes bright with wonder. “It’s been you the whole time.”
“I—”
Maeve throws herself into Blair’s arms, almost knocking her over. “You’re back! We missed you!”
Blair’s smile is pained and her eyes are glassy as she pats Maeve’s back. “Yup. I’m back. Missed you too, Maeve.”
It’s only been a week, but I could swear she’s lost weight. Her cheekbones are hollow, and dark circles surround her eyes.
I clench my hands into fists, forcing myself to stay still and not gather her into my arms and drag her away like a caveman.
“Can you believe it was Travis?” Maeve says as she pulls away from Blair. “It was him the whole time!” She points to me. “All the anonymous donations, the hats, the blankets…it was all him.”
Blair keeps her eyes fixed on me as she nods. “It’s amazing,” she breathes. “You, the whole time.”
