Lists had been made, typed into my laptop.
Grant applications had been alphabetized.
A new website was close to being finished.
Other social media sites had been created for both my practice and the sanctuary.
And another message left for Darlene’s father, who just happened to be the chief of police, a man determined to ignore me.
See? With daily alone time, I could mark a significant number of items off my to-do list.
Why did it seem as if I was being stared at? Blinking until my mind came back into focus, I realized I was right. My girlfriends were glaring at me.
“Are you okay?” Darlene asked with her usual furrowed brows.
“I’m fine. Why?”
“Because you are completely distracted.” Cassie cocked her pretty blonde head, her expression accusatory.
“Just tired. I’m not sleeping well.” At least I wasn’t lying. My muscles ached and every time I moved, the stiff material of the shorts shifted back and forth across my butt. I’d been stupid enough to wear a thong and the movement was a forced reminder of the spanking.
A spanking.
Nowthathad never occurred before.
When the two women winked at each other, I made a face. “Not like that. Just a lot on my mind.”
“Well, do you like it?” Cassie pointed to the artistic piece leaning against the wall.
“This is just… amazing,” I said as I stood back from the incredible gift. “You didn’t need to do this.”
Darlene giggled while Cassie Cross, a new friend and a woman who’d been a godsend with both the veterinary clinic and listening to my crazy thoughts about the sanctuary did a little wiggle and dance.
“We were hoping you’d say that.” Cassie’s face beamed.
“I can’t believe you did this for me. And it’s not even my birthday.” When I sniffed as if crying, which I also was doing, both women offered pouty looks.
“Aahhh…” they both said at the same time, opening their arms as I jogged toward them.
“Group hug!” Darlene insisted.
Maybe I was shedding a tear or two.
Not just because of their kindness and how thankful I was in having friends. Sadness had hung around me all day long, disrupting my thoughts, my plans, and had even prevented me from enjoying my one day off. This time the despair hadn’t been all about what had happened with my parents, but also that I’d allowed Viper to leave.
Without saying goodbye.
Without asking for his phone number or at least hinting around at wondering if he wanted mine.
Without making it known I wouldn’t mind seeing him again.
While nothing had been said about getting together even for just a cup of coffee, and in truth I hadn’t wanted to start anything, now I wasn’t so certain. Yes, I’d placed dozens of layers of protection around myself and I was right in doing so. That didn’tmean my inner voice wasn’t continuing her barrage of nagging me to no end.
I’d reminded myself that any involvement with Viper wasn’t a good idea, and I’d all but convinced myself I was right. But every time I thought about something he’d said, which had been kept to a minimum, or an image of his face popped into my mind, I became flushed.
“Such a little softie,” Cassie murmured, breaking the spell.
All three of us finally broke into giggles. I pulled away and Cassie grabbed her wine first.
