Page 89 of Sit, Stay, Love
His brows drew together. ‘You’re never a drama, and… you could stay here? Take my bed. I can crash on the couch. I’ll make you breakfast in the morning.’ His eyes caught hers. ‘Stay.’
She tugged at the corner of her mouth with her teeth as she searched his lovely face.
Don’t ruin this. It’s the best thing in your life. Don’t risk it.
She took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you. I really don’t. We’ll always be friends, right? No matter what happens? We’ll always have each other?’
His brow darkened. ‘Of course.’
‘Promise?’
‘I promise.’
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. ‘Good.’
Chapter Fifteen
‘How was it?’ Carol asked as she arrived for her shift the next morning. She was standing in the middle of the room, her bag still on her shoulder and her eyes on Sera, wide and expectant.
Sera forced herself to smile. ‘The movie was good. I think you’ll like it.’
Carol rolled her eyes. Then, as if suddenly understanding that talking about the movie must have meant the rest of the night was utter crap, she made her way to the desk and said, ‘I’ll have to go see it when it comes out.’
Sera blew out a quiet sigh of relief. She didn’t want to rehash the humiliation of sitting ignored in a corner while her supposed date slash possible boyfriend worked the room. Even if she knew that’s why he was there. Even if she knew that was his job. Even if it was her choice to sit at that table in the dark. Had she overreacted? Things always looked different in the light of a new day.
She joined Carol behind the desk. ‘We’ve got a prospective adopter today.’
‘On a Sunday?’ They rarely opened the shelter to visitors on Sundays.
‘For Harry.’ Sera beamed.
‘Harry?’ Carol threw her hands to her mouth.
Harry the scruffy Jack Russell seemed perfectly happy in his current situation, but the Rose’s Rescue team were still desperate for the long-termer to find a forever home.
Carol beamed. ‘I’ll bath him and put that little tartan bowtie on him that Tia got him for Christmas.’
Sera smiled. ‘He looks so cute in that bowtie. I’m going to clean the kennels so we can give them a tour if they want one.’
‘Get out of here, ratbags,’ Sera called to Buffy and the new stray, a scrappy tan and white speckled dog that looked like a fluffy red heeler. They were leaping in the air, biting at the hose as she tried to wash out the kennels. ‘Oh my gosh, you two, you’re getting soaked.’
She flicked the hose on Buffy and the stray, then burst out laughing as they charged out of the kennels, instantly returning, barking for more of the game. She sprayed them again, laughing so hard she snorted.
‘Hey, Stink,’ Sera heard and looked up. Her stomach somersaulted as Toby stepped into the kennels, ducking his head a little as he manoeuvred his tall frame through the door.
Buffy launched at him.
‘Get off me, dog! You’re drenched!’ He laughed as he pushed her down.
‘What are you doing here?’ Sera asked, hose in hand.
‘Good morning to you too.’
‘Oh. I’m so sorry. Good morning, kind sir.’ She did a little curtsey, smiled and sprayed him with the hose.
‘Hey!’ he yelled. He glanced down at his now soggy t-shirt, the drenched material clinging to his chest and stomach.
Sera’s grip tightened around the hose as her heart clenched.Bloody hell. What is going on? Has he got more gorgeous overnight?
