Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
I give the puppy his injections and send Martin on his way. I don’t even care that he doesn’t ask for my number.
To think that I used to care about every little thing that had anything to do with Martin. I used to write our every interaction in my diary, and I used to spray his perfume on my pillow so I could imagine I was sleeping by his side.
Luca was right about me seeking him out for that first tattoo and one-night stand. I was grieving for my grandmother. And at about the same time, Martin had just dumped me for being a prude.
I laugh to myself at the memory.
I wasn’t a prude. It was just that the sex, without any kinky elements or newness, was getting boring, and Martin used to call me weird for suggesting anything wilder than missionary or the odd doggy-style. Naturally, I lost interest.
As Brian continues to send more patients into the exam room, I start to understand how Peter managed to run this clinic up until the very end. There’s only one other vet working here—his name’s Paul—but we haven’t talked much beyond basic introductions because he’s usually working when I’m not.
From what I can tell, though, toward the end, Peter was pretty hands-off with everything, which means that Paul and Brian must’ve worked overtime to cover his portion of the work.
I should remind myself to give them large bonuses if the clinic brings in enough money to turn a profit come holiday season.
At the end of the day, just as I start to get ready to leave the clinic, my mom barges into the exam room.
“I hear you’ve been spending a lot of time with that . . . tattooed man,” she says as soon as the door swings open. The way she spits out the last two words makes me feel like she originally wanted to say something more offensive.
That’s just like her. No calls; no warnings. She just shows up everywhere, unannounced and uninvited.
“What’s it to you?” I ask, lifting my gaze from the stack of documents on the desk.
“I hear you’ve been living with him. Is that true?”
“Maybe.” I pick up the yellow folder I was reading and continue going through the pages.
“Sarah, this is not the big city. People talk here.” Mom marches across the room and snatches my folder to get my attention.
“Oh. Right. Sorry I don’t hide it as well as you hide your drug habit.” I stare flatly right at her.
Mom’s eyes flicker with doubt. I know this look. She's considering whether to continue attacking me or to change tactics and start defending herself.
“You can’t trust that man.” Mom puts on a concerned face.
Luca’s not my best friend or anything, but I’d trust him over my mom any day of the week. At least I know he’s got my brother’s and my best interests at heart, even if he tends to be heavy-handed in how he shows he cares.
But, okay. I’ll bite.
“Why?” I ask.
“I’m your mom. Just trust me. That man is not to be trusted with anything.”
I shake my head. “Why don’t you like seeing me get along with anybody? Do you always have to try and ruin everything good in my life?”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Sarah,” she says dismissively. “I wouldn’t bother telling you if I didn’t care about you. I didn’t have to come and let you know you may be in danger.”
“What are you talking about, Mom?” I ask with an exhausted sigh. “I can’t just blindly accept your accusation if you don’t give me any proof.”
“You’re my blood, Sarah. Would I lie to you?”
“Mom, you disowned me years ago, remember?”
“Stop being so dramatic, Sarah. I said some things when I was angry, and I didn’t mean them,” she says. “The point is, you should stay away from that man if you know what’s good for you. I’ve already warned you. If something happens, remember that I tried warning you.”
“Something like what?” I give my mom a blank stare. I’m not letting her get to me.
“I swear sometimes you’re too stubborn for your own good. If you want to be safe, stay away from that man,” she says ominously.
“Yeah, I’m going to need more details than that.”
She meets my gaze and puts the yellow folder back on the desk. “Ask him where he goes in the middle of the night.”
And then, just as abruptly as she arrived, she leaves.
Luca
When I drive up to the animal clinic, Sarah isn’t waiting outside as usual. The light in the clinic is still on, so she’s probably not done yet.
As I turn off the ignition, relief fills my chest. She’s not done yet. This is going to buy me a few more minutes.
I still don’t know what to do with that girl. I should’ve stayed to soothe her after what I did to her in the kitchen. That would’ve been the right thing to do.