Page 260 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

He smiles. "Compassion usually can't."

After he walks away, I sit there for a long moment.

Wondering when caring for people stopped being something I did and became who I was.

Maybe...

It happened somewhere in Briar Cove.

Maybe...

One stubborn hockey captain changed me more than either of us ever realized.

That evening I make coffee while finishing tomorrow's notes.

Without thinking I reach into the cupboard.

Two mugs.

I freeze.

For a long moment I simply stand there. One mug in each hand.

Finally, I pour coffee into both, carry them to the table.

Then I quietly pour one back into the sink.

Not because I want to forget him.

Because pretending I don't miss him hurts even more.

***

Week Six…

Saturday afternoon.

My phone buzzes. Unknown FaceTime.

Curious, I answer. The screen immediately fills with fur.

Golden fur.

Black fur.

Spotted fur.

One enormous tongue.

Another dog barks directly into the camera.

"Toby?"

The camera jerks sideways. Tobias Donovan finally appears. Barely.

One puppy is climbing onto his shoulders.

Another is chewing on what looks suspiciously like his shoelace.