Page 226 of Josephine and Clay

Dr. Harris glances over from his paperwork. "Good news?"

"Possibly."

His grin widens. "Ah."

I ignore him.

Clay: How's work?

Josie: Busy.

Clay: You taking care of yourself?

The question catches me off guard.

Josie: Yes.

A pause.

Clay: That's a lie.

I stare at the screen.

Josie: Excuse me?

Clay: You answer questions the same way I do when I'm avoiding them.

My cheeks warm.

Annoyingly accurate.

Josie: I ate lunch.

Clay: Voluntarily?

Josie: Mostly.

Clay: Proud of you.

I shouldn't enjoy that as much as I do.

The afternoon passes faster after that.

Messages arrive between appointments.

Clay: Nash tried to convince me twins need matching saddles.

Josie: They aren't horses.

Clay: I told him that.

Josie: Did you?

Clay: Eventually.

I laugh in the middle of the treatment room.

The golden retriever I'm examining wags his tail.