Page 130 of A Beastologist's Field Notes of Fated Affection
“Front desk over there.” I pointed to the far wall.
“You’ll need to hire someone to work it,” Rosamund said.
“I will. Once we have things almost ready to go, I can start advertising.”
I gestured to the opposite corner of the large room. “Then we can arrange chairs for clients who are waiting over here. A plush rug, some curtains.” I continued to think out loud as I strolled around. “Perhaps a wall of shelves with treats and toys for purchase.”
The excitement continued to build as I explained my plan to my best friends. My nerves buzzed, my soul awakening as if dormant after so many years. And I couldn’t help the smile that grew with each passing moment.
This place was mine now. And it felt absolutely spectacular. I turned to face my friends, finding them both staring at me with wonder.
“What?”
“It’s good to see you so happy again.” Emberly approached and grasped my hands. “I’m sosohappy for you, Cerise.”
“Thank you,” I said, ignoring the hole in my heart that hadn’t healed over yet. I knew it wouldn’t go away until I fixed things with Liam. But I wanted to focus on this first. He was right in his letter. I needed time to get my life straight. And honestly, I wanted to surprise him. I almost started laughing when I imagined how shocked he’d be at the recent turn of events.
“Have you told your mother about any of this?” Rosamund asked.
I grimaced. “No. I’ve sort of been avoiding her…”
Her eyes flicked to the front door. “Well, here’s your chance.”
“What?” I turned so quickly, I was surprised I didn’tstumble. My mother was marching across the street, heading straight for the clinic. “How does she know?”
“It’s a small town and she has so many connections at the school. She was bound to hear something about it soon,” Emberly lamented.
I took a breath and steeled myself, knowing what I had to do. The door opened and my mother walked in.
“Cerise, please tell me the rumors aren’t true and this is just some elaborate prank.” She paused, noticing Emberly and Rosamund standing in the room. “Oh.” She gathered herself, straightening her spine. “Hello. It’s nice to see you both.”
“You as well,” Emberly said.
“Do you mind giving us some privacy? I must speak with my daughter.”
“Of course.”
They walked by, both of them squeezing my hand in comfort as they passed, and exited out the door.
Once they were gone, my mother’s facade faded. “Did you really quit your job?”
“Yes.” I willed my heart to slow.
She was silent, as if waiting for me to apologize, stutter over my words or give her more detail. I wasn’t going to do that. This time, I was standing my ground.
“Well?” she asked.
“Well what?”
Don’t give in, Cerise. Don’t give her what she wants.
She released an exasperated sigh. “I just don’t know what’s gotten into you. First, you get lost in the jungle. Then, you miss your presentation. And now you’ve left your position at one of the most prestigious universities in all of Eldoria.”
“Yes. That’s exactly what happened.”
She began to pace. “I don’t know what I did wrong. Your entire life, I prepared you for this, Cerise. I don’t understand. This is what you’ve always wanted. It’s that professor. Ever since you met him, you’ve been in your head, convincing yourself youdon’t want this life anymore. Missing meetings and making a fool out of me.”
I gave her time to ramble, watching her quietly. She turned to face me, her tirade not over.
