“You’re right,” Thomas said quietly.His tone was flat.“I wasn’t paying attention.”
Rowan didn’t know what to say.He could see the embarrassment in Thomas’s expression, but also the guilt.Thomas’s hands clenched into fists, and for a moment, Rowan thought he might snap.But Thomas didn’t say anything.He just stood there, staring at the counter.
Rowan cleared his throat.“It’s fine.No harm done, right?I caught it before anything happened.”
Thomas didn’t answer.Rowan stayed where he was, but he wanted to help.“You know what you need?”
Thomas finally looked at him.“What?”
“Coffee,” Rowan declared.“A lot of it.I mean, can’t exactly take a nap in the middle of the workday, but coffee might help.”
Thomas blinked.Rowan could see the tension in his shoulders relax just a bit, but then it came right back.Thomas opened his mouth, and Rowan braced himself for the argument he knew was coming.
“I don’t need—”
“You do,” Rowan interrupted.“Come on, Thomas.You’re exhausted.I can see it, Shane can see it, and I’m guessing you canfeelit.You just almost gave that cat the wrong dose.That’s not like you.”
Thomas’s mouth snapped shut, and he looked away again.For a moment, Rowan thought he might lose the fight.Thomas was the type to push through and keep going until he collapsed, and Rowan didn’t want to see that happen.
But then, to Rowan’s surprise, Thomas’s shoulders sagged.He let out a long breath and rubbed a hand over his face.
“Okay,” Thomas said.“You’re right.I need coffee.”
Rowan hadn’t expected Thomas to agree so easily—or at all.He’d been prepared to push harder, but Thomas had given in.It was unexpected, and it made Rowan wonder what the hell was going on with him.
“Good,” he said.“Let’s go get some, then.I’ll make a fresh pot, and you can sit down for a few minutes.The cat can wait.”
Thomas nodded slowly.He picked up the syringe and carefully emptied it back into the bottle.Rowan could see the trembling in his fingers.When Thomas was done, he put the bottle down and turned to follow Rowan out of the room.They walked back into the break room in silence.Rowan wanted to say something to make Thomas feel less self-conscious, but he didn’t know what.
Instead, he focused on making the coffee.Thomas sank into one of the chairs at the small table, his elbows propped up and his head in his hands.Rowan glanced at him.He’d only known Thomas for a couple of days, but he could see that the man was pushing himself too hard.Whatever was keeping him up at night was taking a serious toll.Thomas would never have forgiven himself if he’d hurt the cat by giving her the wrong dosage.
The coffee machine beeped, and Rowan poured two mugs.He carried both over to the table and put one down in front of Thomas, then sat in the chair across from him.
“Here,” he said.
Thomas lifted his head and reached for the mug, wrapping both hands around it like he was trying to absorb its warmth.He took a long sip, his eyes closing briefly, and Rowan saw some of the tension leave his expression.
“Thanks,” Thomas murmured.
“No problem.”
They sat in silence for a while.Rowan sipped his coffee and watched Thomas out of the corner of his eye, relieved when the man’s shoulders slowly relaxed.The coffee was helping, but Rowan knew it was only a temporary fix.Thomas needed rest, and Rowan had a feeling he wasn’t going to get it anytime soon.
Finally, Thomas put his mug down and looked at Rowan.His expression was still guarded, but there was something softer in his eyes now.“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.“For almost messing up with the medication.And for snapping at you.”
Rowan shook his head.“You don’t have to apologize.Everyone has bad days.And like I said, no harm done.”
Thomas nodded, but he didn’t look entirely convinced.He took another sip of his coffee, his gaze dropping to the table.“I can’t afford to make mistakes like that.These animals depend on us.They trust us to take care of them, and if I mess up, well...”
“You won’t,” Rowan said.“You’re a good person, Thomas.And you’re good at your job.But you’re also human, and you can’t run on empty forever.You need to take care of yourself, too.”
Thomas looked up at him.For a moment, Rowan thought he might insist that he was fine and didn’t need anyone’s worry.But then Thomas nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“I’ll try,” Thomas said.
It wasn’t much, but it was something.Rowan gave him a small smile and raised his mug in a mock toast.
“To coffee,” he said.
