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But that doesn’t mean I can’t indulge a little. Clearly, the man is made for sex, and he wants me just as much as I want him, so why not have a little fun?
Actually, there’s a million reasons why. One of the many being the fact that I have to hide us from the people I love most. I have to hide him away from my life, and definitely from Marley and Claire, who now are staring at me with confused glares as we stand in the vacant building right next door to the town market.
“Earth to Ali!” Marley calls, snapping me from my lust fueled memories.
“Did you hear what he said?” she asked, gesturing towards the real estate agent who drove nearly a hundred miles to show us this unit.
We told Claire about our plans for the vet office last night when I got home and as soon as we told her we wanted her to be in charge of the books, her face lit up like the fourth of July. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her that happy and she’s a pretty jolly woman.
I’d be more excited and involved myself, but like always, Hunter Brooks and his delicious body are distracting me. This can’t be good at all.
“I’m sorry, I was lost in thought. What did you say again, Clayton?” I ask the agent and Marley rolls her eyes as I throw her a playful scowl.
“It’s going to be about a thousand a month after the deposit. I know it’s a little out of your price range, but I can’t get the owner to budge,” he says, and I walk around and look at the wide-open space.
“We’ll take it,” I say, and Marley’s jaw drops.
“Ali, let’s take some time to think about this. It’s more than our budget and the only place we’ve looked at so far,” she says anxiously.
“So?” I say and she sighs.
“So maybe we should talk about this in private for a minute,” she suggests, and I shrug.
“Do you like the place?” I ask, and she tries to bite back a smile.
“Yes, but-”
“And do you think the location will draw business?” I ask, and she nods slowly.
“Yeah, I mean it’s right by the market in the middle of town, but-”
“Then what’s the issue, Marley? It’s not that far off budget, there will be minimal construction, it’s right in the center of town. What’s the issue?” I ask, and she sighs, looking around at the vacant unit with abundant windows.
“There’s no issue. I just feel guilty,” she admits and I walk to her, resting my hands on her shoulders.
“Marley, enough of that. This place is perfect and if my dad was here, he’d say sign the lease,” I say and she huffs, the silence stretching.
“If it helps, I’ll put my name on it. We’ll call itMarley and Bailey’s Animal Clinic,” I suggest and finally, her eyes light up.
“I think it sounds kind of perfect, don’t you baby?” Claire says with a smile behind us.
Marley still stands quietly, looking around with bright eyes.
“I can already envision it,” I say, gesturing around the room.
“We can have a wide-open office, filled with natural lights and neutral colors with splashes of blue. There’s room for two rooms, one for checkups and one for surgery. We can even take down a wall by the bathroom and make an office for yourself. What do you think?” I ask, waiting for her answer as the real estate agent taps his foot impatiently.
Finally, after several long minutes, Marley breaks into a smile and starts jumping up and down with excitement.
“Let’s do it, let’s do it!” she shouts, and Claire and I go in for a hug.
“Would you like a pen?” the agent asks and we all nod, smiles plastered on our faces.
* * *
After hours of paperwork and calls to the bank and to contractors, the office is set to open in a few weeks if everything goes to plan. I’ve never seen Marley so happy, and Claire is already throwing herself into the logistics of it. Although I never thought opening a business or dealing with vet work would be interesting, I myself am extremely excited. Something about this just feels right and I know if my dad were here, he’d be excited too.
We finish up everything and Marley and Claire grab their purses to leave, turning back to look at me as I stand in front of the store.
