“You’re right. You’re going to have to tell him,” she says, appearing even more delighted. “I’ll talk him down if he panics.”
I groan. Avery has always been protective of me, and knowing him, he’ll grill Ivan with probing questions until I die of embarrassment.
Blair looks thoughtful, though. “I wonder if we should implement some employee dating policy,” she murmurs. “With a special clause for scent matches. We never had to worry about that before you!”
Both my friends are tickled, and while I’m happy they’re supportive, I don’t need them fretting about me.
“Just don’t tell Mari, yet,” I say. “She’s going to make a big deal out of it.”
Piper raises a dark eyebrow. “Thisisa big deal,” she says. “So, what, you’re dating, now?”
I nod. “Yes. He’s my scent match.”
“Oh my god!” Piper screeches, and Blair smacks her playfully on the shoulder, shushing her. “Scent matches? Youscent matched?” Piper whispers.
I nod again, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “It wasawesome,” I breathe.
Blair’s blue eyes soften. “I’m so glad, Maeve,” she says. “He’s a good man.”
With my friends’ seals of approval, I beam.
I keep the smile on my face even when I clean the litter boxes in the kennels with Blair’s help.
“Hey,” she says. “I want to tell you something.”
“Hmm?” I gently pluck Bean off the counter when he bats at my hair and place him in the cat tree.
“I’m proud of you. You didn’t run away from it like Piper and I did. You’re very brave.”
I frown. Piper and Blair both had terrible circumstances before they had their current packs. Piper had come from an abusive situation, and Blair’s ex pack had passed away in a car accident. When they found their scent matches, they weren’t ready to accept them, because they had suffered a lot beforehand.
Watching them finally end up with their packs made me happy.
“I wouldn’t consider myselfbrave,” I correct her, but she shakes her head.
“You are, Maeve. You’re very courageous, especially after everything you’ve been through. I’m truly happy for you.”
“Okay, once I wash my hands, I am definitely hugging you,” I tell her, and she laughs.
“If you need any advice, supplies, or anything at all, you let Piper and me know, okay?”
“Hmm. Actually, I think I could use your advice.”
Blair is the most level-headed one at Furs and Purrs. Piper is great too, but she is a little headstrong and will back me or Blair up no matter what, even if we’re at fault.
I want an objective perspective.
Blair raises an expectant eyebrow.
“I like Logan,” I blurt.
There’s a moment of silence. “Okay, we really do need some type of HR department,” Blair sighs. “Anyoneelsein your potential pack? And hopefully they don’t work in the same building as you?”
Well…
I shift on my feet, smiling at the thought of Fang. “This third one is a bit complicated,” I murmur.
“Oh, so thereissomeone else. Try me. Nothing you can say will faze me.”
