I slowly turn my head, bracing for disaster.
Instead…
Claire grins so wide I think her face might split in half.
Kathy throws both hands in the air.“IT’S ABOUT TIME!”
Holly snort-laughs.“I owe Claire twenty bucks.”
“What?”I blink.
Claire shrugs.“We had a betting pool.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper.
“I told them months ago,” Kathy says proudly.“A man doesn’t glare like that unless he’s in love.”
I look up at Wells.His whole face has softened, and for maybe the first time ever, my grumpy vet actually looks… embarrassed.
“Were you all seriously discussing my personal business?”he growls.
“Yes,” Holly says immediately.
“Absolutely,” Claire agrees.
“Every day,” Kathy adds.
I burst out laughing.All that fear, all that panic, is gone.No one looks disgusted.No one looks judgmental.If anything, they look relieved.
Wells sighs like he’s surrounded by chaos, then his hand squeezes mine.When I look up at him, his expression is so tender that my heart nearly explodes.
“All right,” he grumbles, tugging me against his side.“Everyone, back to work.”
The staff immediately scatters, though not without grins and a few whispered comments.
“Finally,” Holly says again under her breath.
Wells shakes his head, but I can feel his chest rumbling.He’s trying not to smile.
“You,” he says, looking down at me.
“Me?”I ask innocently.
“Yes, you.Office.Now.”
“Oh no,” I tease.“Am I in trouble, Dr.Bennett?”
His eyes darken instantly.“Keep calling me that, and yes.”
I laugh as he guides me back into his office, shuts the door behind us, and immediately turns serious.
His hands cup my face.“Are you okay?”he asks quietly, not possessive, not demanding, just… Wells.
“I am now,” I whisper.
His forehead drops to mine.“I meant what I said.If this is too much, if any of this is too much, I’ll slow down.I just… fuck, Pearl.I love making you mine, but I need you happy.”
There it is.Those are the words I needed to hear.They’re not dramatic or flashy, but the words still hit me like a freight train.
