Page 77 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘That she hoped her son grows up to be just like you.’
‘You don’t have to sound so sarcastic when you say that. He could do worse than be a vet.’
She slapped her forehead. ‘I wasn’t being sarcastic. And I don’t think she was talking about his future profession. She thinks you’re wonderful and hopes her son grows into half the man you are. Which he might just do. Because he’s kind of short.’
‘Haha. Hilarious. Are you coming over tonight? We can order in and catch up on last week’sSurvivor. You can swoon over Jeff Probst’s dimples or whatever.’
Discomfort gnawed at her. Normally, she’d say sure. In fact, normally she’d probably already be there. She practically lived there.Normally.But tonight, she wanted a break from it all. A break from everything.
She squeezed out a laugh. ‘I do love the Probst dimples, but I think I might stay home. I’ll catch up on the ep here. We can do pizza and the new episode tomorrow. Do you mind?’
‘Of course not,’ he said, sounding very much as if he minded. Quite a lot.
‘Thanks Herriot. By the way, what happened to your date? Have you booked somewhere fancy yet?’ She winced. Why did she ask that? She rubbed her stomach as the churning made a comeback.
‘Nope, not yet.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’m thinking about it.’
‘What’s to think about? You said you thought she was attractive, right?’
‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea,’ he said. ‘I don’t think it would be smart to start something with somebody that I also have a professional relationship with.’ He took a dramatic pause. ‘You know what I mean?’
If he’d been holding a mic, he’d just dropped it.
As the sun was setting, Sera waved goodbye to Carol, checked on the animals, locked the front door, closed her eyes and let the peace wash over her.
She made cheese on toast and took it to the lounge room, plopped onto her couch and pulled a rug over her knees.
Turning on the television, she hit Netflix. In her Recommended for You queue was the nextThrone of Kingsmovie.
She squished her lips together and smiled.
‘Up, Buff,’ she said, patting the cushions. ‘What do you say? Shall we watch your bestie?’
Buffy turned, as if expecting him to walk in.
Sera scratched the dog’s ear as she hit play. Then she grinned to herself and grabbed her phone.
Sera: Guess what I’m watching?
Ethan: Is that my award-winning arse?
She sent back a flame emoji.
And he sent back a heart.
Chapter Fourteen
Sera stood on the pavement and exploded in an excited squeak. She’d just had a meeting with Peaceful Slumbers Funerals, and they’d signed her on a twelve-month contract. She’d committed to four articles per month, the content of which they were happy for her to pitch, along with ad hoc website updates and the occasional content for any of their other communication streams. Her articles may even feature in the Funeral Owners Association’s bimonthly newsletter. It would be a lot of work, and it might not be her dream job, but the people were lovely and it was consistent money and good experience – and actually interesting, in a morbid kind of way. Plus, it’d be great on her resume. If she had a resume.
She slid into her van and instantly called Toby. His vet nurse picked up.
‘Hey, Jess, can he talk?’
‘Let me check,’ the young woman said.
