“He sounds...interesting,” Mom said when I finished.“A bit prickly, perhaps, but not unkind.”
I laughed.“That's one way to put it.He's definitely not what I expected.”
As our food arrived, a memory tugged at the edges of my mind.
“Liv!There you are!”Sarah's voice rang out across the bustling shelter cafeteria.I looked up from my sandwich, grinning as my coworker plopped down across from me.“You'll never guess what happened with that Pitbull we brought in last week.”
I leaned forward eagerly.“Don't tell me someone adopted him already?”
Sarah's eyes danced with excitement.“Even better.Remember that veteran who came in looking for a service dog?Well, it turns out Buddy is a perfect match.We're starting their training next week!”
Joy rose up in my chest, pure and bright.This was why I loved my job at the Columbus Humane Society.Every day brought new opportunities to make a difference.I threw my arms around Sarah, laughing as we celebrated another small victory.
“Olivia?”Mom's voice pulled me back to the present.“Earth to space cadet!”
I blinked.“Sorry, Mom.I was just thinking about the shelter.”
Her face softened with understanding.
“I miss it sometimes, you know?The sense of purpose, the feeling that I was making a real difference.”
Mom reached across and patted my hand.“Oh, honey.You're still making a difference.Just in a different way now.”
I managed a weak smile, pushing down the familiar ache of loss.“You're right.And this job with Mr.Cassidy, it's a fresh start.A chance to prove myself again.”
The rest of the meal was spent dissecting Mom’s latest garden club drama.I felt more myself than I had in years.I wouldn't let my past define me.I was more than my pain, more than the shell of a person Ethan had tried to turn me into.
Back at work, I threw myself into my tasks with renewed vigor.I tackled a mountain of paperwork and managed to sweet-talk a difficult client into extending a crucial deadline.
As the afternoon wore on, I noticed Carter emerging from his office more frequently.He'd pause by my desk, ostensibly to check on my progress or drop off another task.But I caught the way his eyes lingered, assessing my posture, the set of my shoulders.
“How's the chair working out?”He leaned against my desk with deceptive casualness.
I smiled up at him, touched by his poorly disguised concern.“It's great, thank you.It makes a world of difference.”
“Good.That's...good.”He hesitated, as if wanting to say more, then shook his head.“Don't forget to take breaks.I don't need you burning out.”
I watched him retreat to his office, warmth spreading through my chest.Despite his prickliness, Carter Cassidy had a heart.He just didn't want anyone to know it.
A steady stream of work kept me occupied for the rest of the afternoon.In no time at all, it was five o’clock.
“I'm heading out,” I called to Carter as I gathered my things.“Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”
He emerged from his office, looking rumpled after hours bent over his drafting table.“No, that's all.You did good work today, Olivia.”
Pride fluttered in my stomach at his terse praise.“Thank you, Mr.Cassidy.I'll see you tomorrow?”
He nodded, his eyes softening.“Tomorrow.And Olivia?”
I paused at the door, looking back.“Yes?”
“Call me Carter.Mr.Cassidy makes me feel like my old man.”
A grin spread across my face.“Okay...Carter.Goodnight.”
Later that night, as I soaked in a hot bath to ease the day's aches, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.
I thought of Carter, of the quiet consideration behind his surliness.Of the way his eyes seemed to see right through me.
