Page 29 of Absolution

"We will. Thank you, Scarlet." I end the call before either of us have a chance to say another word. I'm in deeper than I ever should've gone. Shocked, I believed this was a good idea.

I drop my cell on the bed, and take the sock I laid out, putting it over Doc's paw. She sniffs the material for a second and then sits up. I slide my phone off the bed and into my pocket, grabbing my keys on the way to the door. "Let's go to work, Doc."

Doc nudges my hand as we walk toward the SUV, I smile down at her for trying to help me out of my walk of shame after that disastrous phone conversation. Doc can read me like a book.

"You should've read ahead and warned me I was about to crash and burn." I pat her back, helping her into the backseat. "By the way, don't tell Mark. I'll never live it down if he finds out."

Chapter Nine

Scarlet

I dart into the first exam room and wait for Amy to pass by. The minute she does, I grab her arm, yanking her into the room. She falls against the door as it closes shut.

"Cheese and rice! What is your problem, woman?"

"Umm, he called." I shove my trembling hands in my pockets, praying she doesn't notice.

Her face is nothing but teeth, she smiles so broadly. "What did he say?"

"He asked if Doc could wear a sock."

Her brows furrow. "Come again? I thought you said he wanted to know if he could put socks on a dog."

"I know," I throw my hands in the air. "of all things."

"Huh? Are you kidding me? No... can I play with your stethoscope?" She waggles her brows.

"Eww, no. Weirdo!" I cringe internally thinking of how long it's been since I've been examined, I think I've forgotten how nice being touched can be. Even worse, my lady bits get happy thinking about him checking me out.

"So why are you blushin'? Oh, you're imagining him doin' the bump-n-grind on you." Amy humps the air, swatting her hand around.

"I can't even with you right now!" I brush past her, to walk out the door. "You're a hot mess!"

She shrugs. "I know you wanna be!"

She's right. I would love to spend a night in the arms of a loving person. Someone to talk to about life and to laugh with, but I don't think it's going to happen for me. I had one great love, and that's gone now.

The day drags by, and I'm beginning to regret telling Amy anything. I love her, she's one of my best friends, but she's driving me crazy. She has the best of intentions; I'd like to date again.

"Then again, I'd have to wash my hair, and I've already done that once this week." Sarcasm is my best friend these days, it keeps people at arm's length. The months after my relationship ended, I hated everyone. I couldn't stand happy people... couples.

The reality is love is never going to happen for me, ever again. Life tends to give you what it wants, no matter how much you work toward happiness, it hands you a hand full of half-truths and lies.

Cruel, albeit possibly unintentional, things happen when you fall in love. I've sworn it off and vowed I'd never do it again. Some people think I'm ridiculous, I think I'm proactive.

Protect my heart at all costs. I spent years giving it away to someone, in the end, I'm the one standing here alone and broken. The thing is, I haven't fallen out of love with him, so there's no room for anyone else.

"I need this day to be over already." I fall into my desk chair, exhausted and depressed.

"Then go home."

"I can't, as much as I'd like to."

"Fine! Take tomorrow off and have a girl's day. Do something fun or nothing at all, but do it for you." She crosses her arms, glaring at me.

She's right, I need a day from everything and everyone. "A day filled with peace and ice cream sounds perfect."

"Not what I was thinking, but okay! You do you, Boo."