Page 98 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘I just wanted to let you know I think I’ve found a home for Francine.’
‘That’s great.’
‘It’s one of my clients. I told her about the biting, and—’
‘Herriot,’ she interrupted. ‘Would it be okay if we talk about it tomorrow? Ethan’s just gone to grab our food.’ She winced at her lie, not even sure why she’d said it.
Toby took a beat. ‘Sure. If you have leftover pizza, save me a slice.’
She forced out a laugh. ‘As if I wouldn’t.’
Sera found Ethan leaning against the kitchen counter, a beer clutched in his fist and tension pinching at the corners of his lips.
‘He might have someone interested in adopting Francine,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that great?’
He nodded and took a swallow of beer. ‘I don’t get you and the doc. You say you’re just friends, but I don’t know.’
‘What do you mean? Wearejust friends.’
‘McManus does not want to bejust friendswith you, Sera. Why do you think he’s so hostile towards me?’
‘I… uh…’
‘Surely you can see that?’
No.She couldn’t see it. She wouldn’t see it. Because it would change everything, and she couldn’t bear the thought of that.
‘He’s protective of me. That’s how he’s always been.’
Ethan raised his eyebrows. ‘How many men have you dated since you two met?’
‘None.’ She frowned. ‘What’s that got to do with anything? He hasn’t dated anyone either.’
‘Well, that’s no surprise.’
She felt her hackles rise. ‘Hey, that’s a shitty thing to say. He’s a good guy.’
‘I meant it’s no surprise because he’s obviously in love with you. I can’t believe you can’t see that.’
‘He’s not. And even if he was, I’m not in love with him, so what does it matter?’
‘Aren’t you?’
Silence instantly engulfed them.
She swallowed over the lump in her throat, then swallowed again. ‘No. I’m not.’
He shook his head, took another mouthful of beer, then sighed. ‘I don’t want to argue with you. But I do want to be with you. And I can’t see that happening with the doc nipping at my heels.’ He put his bottle down, walked over to her and slipped his hands around her waist. ‘I think you need to work a few things out.’
Tears stung at Sera’s eyes. What was he saying? That they couldn’t be together if Toby was in the picture?
‘I can’t just up and walk away from him. I won’t.’
‘I would never ask you to do that. I can see how much he means to you. Believe me, I can see it. But if we’re going to give us a go, I need to know that I’m not going to keep coming second.’
A tear dropped from her lashes and splashed onto her cheek. ‘I’ll try to do better.’
He swiped it away with his thumb. ‘I’m not asking you to do better. I just want you to make sure you know what you want.’
