Page 21 of Call It Serendipity

On the wall behind the counter, there’s a correlating menu, citing special diets and quantities for each animal in the shelter. I glance at the first one, having them nearly memorized, and turn for the kibble.

I’m so entranced by my music and the task at hand, I don’t hear Ellie enter behind me around the third bowl. It’s not until she reaches up to tap my shoulder, causing me to jump and fling the food I was scooping into the air, that I realize she’s here.

“Sorry, Luce,” she offers sheepishly. “I called your name a few times first.”

“I believe that. Don’t worry about it.” I laugh, holding Baxter’s bowl at the counter edge and brushing the loose food into it. “What’s up?”

“There’s someone here to see you.”

“To see me?” I echo in surprise. “Who would be here to see me?” Claire, maybe. But Ellie would have said that.

Instead, she’s smirking at me like I’ve just won a prize. Twirling the end of her blonde braid, she says, “I’m not sure. He didn’t say his name. But, Lucy, he is so cute.”

At only nineteen years old, Ellie is like the little sister I never had. And she’s watching me with such expectation, I know she’s hoping that I’ll throw her a piece of gossip.

“That doesn’t really help me figure out who it is.” And even if my statement is true, my mind has formed a clear picture of who it hopes is waiting for me in the lobby. A certain dark haired, sometimes glasses wearing, dog person from the city.

I know that I shouldn’t want it to be him. But it seems too late for such logic. Butterflies have already taken flight within me as I abandon my peaceful morning routine and step out into the hall.

If it is Jake, I’ve luckily traded in my paint splattered overalls for my favorite brown plaid trousers and denim jacket today—a much more put together appearance.

It’s not him though, I mentally scold myself, rounding the corner to the lobby. Why would it be?

My heart doesn’t have time to answer my brain. Because as I step into the lobby, I come face to face with brown hair tamed under a familiar corduroy baseball hat, and a spark in beautifully dark eyes.

“Jake?” My mouth falls open.

It is him.

“Funny seeing you here.”

“Something like serendipity?” I deadpan.

“Something like that.”

I slip my hands into the pockets of my jacket, suddenly all too aware of how they’re hanging uselessly at my sides, and lean a hip against the reception desk. Behind him, I see my mom poke her head out of the office and wiggle her eyebrows in my direction. I cannot believe he walked right into the middle of this wolf den.

“What brings you by?” I ask, trying to shove aside my silly hope that he is here for me.

“You,” he answers plainly.

My heart leaps into my throat. “You’re here looking for me?”

That crooked smile that makes my stomach swoop catches the corner of his mouth. “I could come up with an excuse about wanting to see Bear again if you’d like.”

Trying, and failing, to hide my responding smile, I shake my head. “Why are you looking for me?”

He leans closer, his eyes lifting to where I’m assuming Ellie is still lingering behind me. “I was hoping we could talk, maybe without such an audience?”

“If you’re willing to be put to work, I’ve got time to talk.”

“I’m willing.”

I turn back toward where I just came from, crooking my finger for him to follow. “This way then.”

To his credit, he doesn’t even ask where I’m leading him. I could be planning on giving him the most grotesque task and he’s seemingly on board. Just like that.

I hate the fact that it makes my heart soften.