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"Make sure you finish all of his prescriptions because this stuff can come back with a vengeance if not fully treated."
"I promise," she says as she follows me to the front counter. "See you Saturday."
I nod before heading back to disinfect the room. The waiting area has five other dog owners in it already, and I know it's going to be a very busy day. Although I don't work at the bar tonight, we have a vaccine clinic tomorrow, and those are always a fast-paced ordeal that leaves me exhausted. As much as I'd like to skip a shift at the bar and spend part of the day hanging out with Madison, I know I can't. I volunteered to work every Saturday when the vet's office is open because I need the money.
Every once in a while, Dr. McBride insists that it's Kristina's turn. Although my current behavior doesn't prove it, I'm usually not so argumentative with my bosses.
Chapter 11
Walker
I didn't know how this evening was going to go.
Maggie called in sick, something she rarely ever does. She assured me that Claire would cover her shift, but with the way she bolted from the bar after putting me in my place, I don’t know if she just agreed to cover the shift so that she could stick it to me by not showing up.
When the door opens, Claire steps inside with two men right behind her, their eyes lower on her body than I'd like to see as they follow her to the bar top.
She splits off, grabbing her apron, and they belly up to the bar to place an order for beers.
I know she needs the extra money. I can only imagine how expensive little kids are, and it makes me feel like an even bigger asshole for kissing her and making things awkward. She wouldn't even be here if she didn't need the money, and I all but put her in the situation of being sexually harassed while she works.
Not winning any Boss of the Year awards over here.
I can't let myself imagine that the smile she shoots in my direction as she ties her apron is anything other than a glint of hope that maybe I'll be able to manage to keep my damn hands to myself tonight.
She doesn't seem frightened or concerned when I approach her.
"About the other night," I say, trying to find the right words to apologize without making it worse or making her uncomfortable, but I can't just pretend like it didn't happen either. What felt like the world stopping on its axis to me and nothing to her is something I have to accept, and I'm very aware that no means no.
"It's fine," she says, looking past me to either assess what her night will look like or because she's looking for an escape.
"It's not fine. I read the situation wrong, and I'm sorry."
Her eyes find mine, and I can't tell if it's ire or real confusion creating that crease between her brows. With any other person, I'd have no problem figuring out their intentions or at least getting an accurate guess on what they're thinking before responding myself. It's like this woman makes my brain misfire.
"Do you normally kiss women who are losing their shit?"
I shake my head. "Never."
Her upper lip twitches in the corner as if the answer was amusing to her but fool me once if I know what someone is thinking. I'll never make the same mistake again. If anything, I've always been a quick study.
"I shouldn't have kissed you," I repeat. "I want you to know that it will never happen again."
Her lips form a flat line, but once again, I can't read it as disappointment. Doing so would be just one more mistake I make where this woman is concerned.
"That group seems happier and bigger than usual," she says, gracefully changing the subject as she points to the folks gathering around the table Adalynn always sat and waited for Cash at when he was on the evening shift.
I turn, grateful for the reprieve. I said what I needed to and, accepted or not, I'm just glad she isn't harping on me about my mistake.
"Cash and Adalynn have made things official. Tonight is the celebration of that," I explain. "It'll be busy, but they tip well and you don't have to worry about none of that shit you catch from the college guys. Most of them tonight have actual manners."
"Really?" she asks, still looking at the group. "Have you met the Tate twins?"
I catch myself grinding my back molars together in irritation and have to force myself to stop. Instead of flying into a jealous rage, which is how my insides feel right now, I opt for something more professional and boss-like.
"Have they been giving you a hard time?"
Her eyes slowly meet mine, and there's a sad smile on her face once again.
