Page 41 of Sit, Stay, Love
Speaking of hot men.
‘Hey,’ Toby said.
‘Hey. What’s happening tonight?’
‘I’m not sure. I have an emergency. I’m heading to Mrs Barker’s place. Her pug’s taken a turn and she can’t get an animal transport to bring him here, so I said I’d go to her. That dog is her entire world.’
‘Oh no. What kind of a turn?’
‘He can’t move. She’s beside herself. I’m just getting in the car.’ He blew out a long breath. ‘Sometimes this job is bloody tough.’
‘We can take a raincheck on tonight, if you’d rather head home after.’
‘Can I call you when I know what’s going on?’
‘Of course. I’ll wait to hear from you.’
‘Thanks Ser. Hey, how’d you go with Hollywood today?’
Her cheeks instantly burned. ‘Oh. Fine. Good. I think we made progress. I should have used Buffy from the start.’
‘Well, I did suggest it.’
‘Yeah, I know. Good luck with Mrs Barker’s pug. I’m here when you need me.’
She shoved her phone in her pocket, reached down and scratched Buffy’s head. ‘Let’s go give our orphans the love they deserve, hey, Buff?’
It was nearly seven when Buffy charged down the hall, her claws loud against the timber floor, announcing Toby had arrived.
‘Oh no,’ Sera said as soon as she saw his face.
‘I had to put him to sleep. Fuck.’ He shook his head. ‘I stayed until her daughter arrived and the pet cremation company came to pick up Mr Boggs.’
‘Mr Boggs?’
‘The pug. The company did me a favour, coming out like that.’
‘That was nice of them.’
‘Yeah.’ His voice cracked.
‘Oh, Herriot.’ She took him by the hand, led him inside and pulled him into a hug.
He nuzzled his face into the dip of her shoulder, and mumbled, ‘Sorry,’ against her skin.
She reached further around his wide back and held him tighter. ‘Don’t apologise.’ His warm breath tickled the side of her throat, and she rested her head on his. ‘I’m sure Mrs Barker was thankful you were there.’
He pulled back and looked down at her, his soft brown eyes watery. ‘She would’ve been more thankful if I didn’t have to put her dog to sleep.’
‘Herriot. You’re not a miracle worker.’
‘I know. He was sixteen and he’d been fading for a while. We both knew it was coming. But it doesn’t make it any easier.’ He wiped the back of his hand across his eyes. ‘Sorry.’
‘Stop saying that. Go into the lounge room and find us something to watch. I ordered some Chinese takeaway. I’ll bring it in with a beer.’
‘Look what’s on Netflix,’ Toby called.
Sera glanced at the TV as she put the food, plates and chopsticks on the coffee table.
