My breath comes out in a whoosh, and I stare blankly into space, trying to process what the hell just happened.I’m pulled from my daze by my alarm clock going off in my bedroom, and I rush to turn it off, get dressed, and head to work.
Vera is leaving the house when I pull up.I wave at her as I hop out and jog to catch up with her.
“Morning!Are you okay?”she asks when she sees my face.
I let out a deep breath and fall into step with her.“Yeah, I had an… interesting morning.”
“What happened?”Vera asks as we greet the pack.
I smile as I see the wolves playing together in the field.“I talked to Devon last night.He took me out for a burger, and we, uh, kind of got into it.”
“In a hot way?”
“No, in a messy, emotional way.”
“Boo,” she sighs.
I smack her arm.“I told him about having a crush on him when we were kids and how I was hurt that he never noticed me.We talked, and he promised to woo me.”
“Sounds promising.”
“Yeah, he showed up this morning with breakfast.He kissed me,” I whisper.
Vera grins.“How was that?”
“Hot,” I admit.
She claps her hands excitedly.“Then what?”
“He asked me out, and I said no.He mumbled something to himself, then he kissed me again.Then he left.He said he’d see me later.”
“Well, that all sounds promising.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
“How are you feeling after your talk?”she asks as we survey the wolves, looking for injuries or signs of distress.
“Better.It’s like I’ve suddenly got everything I ever wanted.I mean, I’ve always wanted him to notice me, to want me… and now he does.”
“That’s great, Suri.”
“Yeah.”
“So why do you look sad?”
“Is it too good to be true?”
Vera shrugs.“A man putting in so much effort to get with a girl?I don’t think so.I mean, most guys are lazy by nature, and there are easier ways to get laid than dealing with a bunch of emotional scars.”
“That’s true,” I sigh, mulling over her words.
The wolves become restless, so Vera and I split up and get to work.I do a perimeter check, making sure that the fence is intact, while Vera feeds the wolves and administers medicine and supplements to those who need it.
By the time I return to the front of the property, it’s lunchtime.That’s when I realize I forgot to pack my lunch bag in my rush this morning.
I check my phone, debating if I have enough time to run into town to grab something and make it back before my lunch break is over.
A police car pulls up, parking next to mine out front, and I know before the door opens who it is.
