Page 40 of Call It Serendipity

“Have you ever been around a cat?” I laugh.

Her eyes widen with fear. “Then I guess dogs?”

“No, sorry. Our cats are great, come on in.” Pushing open the door, I keep my head on a swivel for any Houdinis. One of the kittens tries to slip out around our feet, but it’s actually Taylor that notices first, bending down to scoop her up.

Securing the door behind us, I say, “See, you’re a natural.”

“I have always loved animals—even if I mostly just interact with Charlie.”

“Do you see Jake and Charlie a lot in the city?”

She scratches behind the kitten, Luna’s, ear. “If I’m there, I’m with them constantly. Well, as constant as possible with how much he works.”

“Vice presidents are probably pretty busy,” I agree, walking over and pulling the basket of toys off a shelf.

Taylor doesn’t need any prompting, she immediately sets Luna down and plucks out a toy, turning to where a cluster of calicos are watching us with curiosity. “He doesn’t act like a VP,” she snorts. “I honestly forget that’s his title. Mostly, he tries to stay out of the office, interacting with the community partners and all of that.”

“That’s very down to earth of him.”

She smirks at me. “Be careful with my brother, he’s softer than he lets on.”

As if I’m the one that’s going to be doing the heart breaking.

It’s become routine for Bear to man the reception desk with me. To do, well, nearly everything with me. And it’s Bear that first notices Jake as he silently slips through the front door at Pine + Paw.

He springs up, hurrying towards our visitor, and bumping my chair in the process. The sudden, jarring movement sends the paint brush in my hand skittering across the page of my sketch pad, leaving a trail of blue watercolor in its wake.

I drop the art materials and rise from the seat, prepared to collect my dog from the unsuspecting guest and freezing when I realize it’s Jake.

His hair seems to have a little more golden sprinkled through the brown in this light, and his perpetual five o’clock shadow has managed to come in early today. He’s wearing a solid green flannel with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his fingers are buried in Bear’s fur as he looks up from the dog.

It happens in slow time, the way he notices me. The way he makes me feel noticed. I experience the heated sensation everywhere. As if I come alive under his gaze.

He smiles slowly at me, his mouth curving in that slightly crooked way I missed over these last few days.

“Hi, Lucy.”

“Hi.”

“You’re painting.” His voice is layered with warmth, and maybe some curiosity as he tips his chin to get a look at the art.

“Just playing with some techniques.” I come around the desk and lean back against the front edge of it. “What brings you in?”

“I got a call from Taylor that she was volunteering here. And frankly, it felt a little unfair that she was getting to see you, but I wasn’t.”

He steps forward, closing the distance between us—save for the space Bear slips in between our shins. We reach down to pet him at the same time, Jake’s hand closing over mine.

“She says you’ve been busy,” I murmur.

“More than I expected,” he confirms solemnly. His attention lifts from the dog to catch me in charged, knee-weakening eye contact. But he doesn’t remove his hand from mine. “And I’ve been regretting how vague we left things last time we spoke.”

My heart swells. “Regretting how?”

“Have dinner with me Saturday?”

I glance towards my parents’ office door, thinking of my mom sitting on the other side at her desk. The same desk I was just standing in front of as I confirmed our plans for Saturday.

“I can’t,” I admit. “But if you’re around after dinner, maybe I can bring dessert.”