Page 18 of Novice Girlfriend

I noticed we both grabbed a couple more boxes and they were easier. Sure, we probably only did six each total, but that was double the plan and it didn’t seem like that.

It didn’t seem so daunting then.

The furniture was delivered and set up—hers already done earlier in the week. Then she did the “easy” stuff to her. She had them put the rug I’d picked how it should be. Stuff I didn’t really care about.

But she worked with me on the stuff I did care about like my work setup for toys. Most would have liked a chase or sofa or something fancy but… Actually, this was fancy. I’d seen the price tag.

Yeah, for that price, it was fancy and definitely an upgrade from the human dog bed in the corner vibe. It was a huge oversized round chair that they actually had trouble getting through the door even when it was taken apart. It could genuinely fit three people and I loved it. I could imagine sitting there for hours just working on toys and feeling all the happy.

“I love it. The vibe in here is really perfect,” Clare praised, rubbing my arm. She frowned when I simply nodded. “You want advice?”

“As long as you’re not offended if I don’t take it,” I hedged.

“Not at all, but it’s not specific,” she said easily, waiting until I nodded. “You can always change it, Bevin. I tell that to my clients all the time. Go with what makes you happy now. Knowing you, you’d want pictures of all your favorite familiars in this area and to just surround yourself with the reasons you put so much of yourself into what you’re doing.”

I hugged her with all I had. That was actually the best idea ever. Like… Ever.

I was back to being excited, I really was.

We continued sorting through it all, people even bringing more from Clare’s storage for her to help. She was talking about selling some of it, but I hinted that maybe some of Taylor’s employees wouldn’t have access to dresses or suits in the price range she did.

Jasmine for sure, and she’d done a lot for Clare.

Clare gave me a smile. “You do better than you think. Bryan and I weren’t fair. I’m really sorry about that.”

It truly touched me to hear that, and I did my best to graciously accept it. “He’s still a condescending jackass.”

“Oh, completely. It was just easier to have an ally in that house instead of…”

What I’d had, which was no one.

Yeah, anything was better than that. I smiled and pulled out my phone.

No, I had someone. I had Clarence and my other animal friends.

And I knew the first picture I would frame and put up in my new room.

“Can you help me make this photo shine in that spot by my chair?” I asked Clare hesitantly, showing her.

She frowned. “One of the frogs from the arboretum?”

I swallowed loudly and decided to give her some faith. “You’ve heard a lot now, but have you had enough drinks to learn the truth? At least this part?”

She searched my eyes for a long time. “No, I don’t know there are ever going to be enough drinks for that, but I want to know you better. I want us to know each other better. So tell me, little sister.”

I did, and I was beyond shocked when Clare burst out crying and hugged me. Tracey came home to find us that way, and to say she was confused was an understatement.

But I was pretty sure Tracey forgave Clare a bit after she was filled in.

Yeah, me too.

5

Bevin

Like always, a lot had happened in just a day. Always so much fun, so by the time we had our new weekly meeting for the people on my team, I was already behind on what needed to be discussed.

Fun. Really, so much fun.