Page 24 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘Thomas.’
‘Okay, Thomas, let’s make your boys green with envy.’
He rose from the table, towering over the young man, and snaked an arm around his waist, pulled him tight to his body and took the photo.
‘Let me know if that’s no good,’ he said, sliding back into his seat.
Thomas blushed and fumbled his phone.
As Ethan signed his autograph and doodled a tiny dragon on a napkin, he looked at Sera through his long black lashes and asked, ‘What does the doc think about you helping me out?’
Sera’s brows knitted.What did Herriot think?He hadn’t really said. ‘He’s happy I’m going to get a bit of extra money coming into the shelter.’
Ethan handed Thomas the napkin and the pen, and gave the flustered young man another wink. Then he turned his attention back to Sera. ‘I bet he’s not happy the money’s coming from me.’
‘Why would you say that?’
‘A vibe.’
Her head tilted.Toby had a vibe too. ‘What kind of vibe?’
‘A Kevin kind of vibe.’
‘He meant well with Kevin.’
‘If you say so.’ He stepped behind Sera and slid out her chair. ‘I’d better get you home to your charges. Shall we meet again tomorrow? For a proper training session.’
Sera wiggled off her seat and turned to face him. His eyes were so blue, she felt as if she could dive into them and swim laps. ‘I think we’d better,’ she said. ‘We’ve got an awful lot of work to do.’
Sera lay on her bed with her phone jammed against her ear and the beginnings of a headache that she suspected might be a hangover. It seemed day drinking didn’t agree with her once the drinking part stopped.
‘How was it?’ Toby’s voice was flat.
‘It was fine,’ she said, deciding to play it cool. She had a sense that saying it was the best lunch ever and Ethan was an absolute dreamboat was not what Toby wanted to hear.
Toby grunted. ‘Is he coughing up decent dough?’
‘Very decent.’
‘Good.’ There was a beat of silence. ‘I don’t suppose you want to grab dinner?’ Toby finally asked.
‘Oh, god no. I ate so much today. I couldn’t eat another thing. But I guess I could pop over. Oh, no, I can’t drive. Too much champagne. But you can come here, if you like? I’ll watch you eat.’
‘Nah, don’t worry. You’ve had a big day. I’m sure it was exhausting navigating James’s massive ego.’
She frowned. Now he was just being a dick. ‘Actually, I had a lovely time. He was a complete gentleman. No ego. Just an enjoyable lunch with enjoyable company.’
‘Right. Well. I’ve got to go. I need to check on a few things.’
‘Herriot, why are you so grumpy? Aren’t you happy for me? This money is going to help a lot, especially the fundraiser.’
‘What fundraiser?’
‘He’s going to throw Rose’s a charity fundraiser. He’s putting the whole thing on.’
Toby huffed. She couldn’t understand what his problem was. She was thrilled. He should be thrilled for her, too. ‘You know how much I’ve struggled,’ she said. ‘Please be happy for me.’
He breathed out a long sigh. ‘Ser, I am happy for you. Of course, I am. I just… I don’t know. I don’t trust him, I guess.’
