The thought of how good she would feel—soft curves pressed against me, warm breath on my neck—haunts me. But romance has no place in my life. Especially with my once-best friend’s little sister.
The entire drive home, Greer keeps her nose buried in a book, her only sound being the occasional frustrated groan. This carries on as I make dinner, which she eats while studying.
“This is impossible,” she says to herself as I’m clearing the table.
I stop what I’m doing and join her at the table. “We’ll figure it out.”
“I can’t do this.” She shoves her fingers through her messy red hair.
Instead of arguing with her, I ask, “What’s your plan b?”
“I’d found some farms that hire for the season.”
“And you think that’ll help you get on your feet?”
“Not really, but at least I’ll be working toward something.”
It suddenly occurs to me that I’ve been going about this all wrong. “Look, I understand what it’s like to be on shaky ground, but it’s dangerous to let yourself get spread too thin. Trust me—I know. It’s a lot managing a clinic and a small homestead, and sometimes I don’t know how I get through the day.” The truth is, I live my life on autopilot, but the lie feels good, like it’s said for the right reason.
Her pretty lashes flutter. “Really?”
“Why do you think I’m so concerned with you overwhelming yourself?”
She looks down at her books, then back up at me. “Maybe we can help each other?”
“No!” I shake my head emphatically. “I couldn’t ask that of you.”
She grabs the book and shakes it at me. “If I’m stuck studying all day, I’ll go crazy—and it’ll happen quicker than you might think.”
I slump my shoulders. “Well, maybe you could come in with me a few days a week to man the phone—just for a few hours.”
She smiles ear-to-ear. “Can I do anything with the animals? Like check them in?”
“You could weigh them.”
“Is that all?”
“I could teach you to clip their nails.”
“And?”
Her enthusiasm makes me want to find more busy work for her. “There have been a few residents who have requested grooming services, but that takes a lot of patience?—”
“I’ll do it!” Her eyes come alive with giddiness and hope that I can’t help but want to nurture.
“There’s an extra room at the clinic. You can make it yours if you put in the work.”
She nods so fast it’s almost comical. “Deal.”
“Greer…I don’t want you to feel like you have to do something you hate in order to get by. I have the means to help you, if you’ll let me.”
“Honestly, I’m excited to get started. I love animals, so this is like a dream job.”
“But you have to keep working toward your diploma.” I look down at her books. “Is there any way I can help you study?”
She bites her lower lip, looking hesitant.
“Tell me.”
