Tolliver shrugged then sent me a smile. "So, what are we checking off the list today?"
"A favor for my cousin," I said once I finally got myself under control.
He nodded.
"I hope you like animals."
"I love animals."
With a sigh, I said, "Of course, you do. Let's go, Stone."
The animal shelter was always short on help. That was one of the reasons my cousin, Viola, asked me to go there as often as I could. Not that it was a hardship. I loved what they did here, how they tried to find homes for animals who just had a hard go of it, that they cared for them until their forever home was found.
As we were walking to the door, Tolliver said, "You volunteer here?"
"Yeah," I said, "but my cousin, Viola, considers it her second home. The dogs and cats are her friends. But since she's in college, she can't get out here multiple times a week like she used to. Hence, my promise to come."
"That's cool of you."
I shrugged.
"Do you have a preference for cats or dogs?" he asked.
"Dogs. One hundred percent. But I love cats too."
Tolliver held the door open for me and chuckled when I blushed.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"No problem," he said, following me in and looking around. "If Eli knew where we are, he'd be begging me to bring one home."
I lifted a brow.
"He loves dogs."
"I knew I liked that kid," I said with a smile.
"Oh, he's a fan of yours too," Tolliver said.
"Yeah?"
"All my siblings are. But not more than me."
We were standing there grinning like idiots when Paris, the woman who ran the shelter, walked in from the back and clapped her hands.
"Freya," she said happily, "you're back!"
"Yep, hi Paris," I said.
"And you brought a friend." Her eyes moved over Tolliver, back to me, and she waggled her brows. "He looks strong and muscly."
My jaw dropped, but Tolliver just laughed.
"I am," he said, reaching over to shake her hand. "Muscles courtesy of hockey."
"Ah."
"I'm Tolliver. Freya's..."
