Chapter 2
TWO
Pearl
I used to love my job, but now I’m not so sure.
Things were easy when Dr. Harris was here, but since he retired and Wells Bennett took over, it’s been… complicated.
I’m pretty sure I’m the one making it complicated—me and my stupid crush on the grumpy, stoic man.
I’ve developed a growing infatuation with the man since he first came to town, and that infatuation has only intensified with each passing day. I tell myself to ignore it, get over it. I’m sure Dr. Bennett doesn’t have the same feelings for me—or anyone, really.
He’s quiet, brooding, and annoyingly handsome. I’ve seen women throw themselves at him. I’m pretty sure some girls in town have adopted pets as an excuse to see Dr. Bennett, but he doesn’t seem to notice their flirting. If he does, he never reciprocates, at least not that I’ve seen.
I haven’t heard of him dating anyone in town, either. He’s still big news since he’s the latest addition to town, and he has such a mysterious vibe.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my scrubs, smiling when I see Coco’s name on the screen.
Coco: Have you made a move on your sexy boss yet?
Pearl: No!
Coco: Boo! You should! That man wants you!
I shake my head and tuck my phone back into my pocket.
I don’t know why Coco thinks Wells is into me, but she’s been convinced of it since he moved to town. I mean, the man barely talks and always glowers at everyone.
At the same time, though, he seeks me out.
He only stays late when I’m scheduled for the night shift.
Whenever he sees me in town, he always makes a point to come over and say hi.
I’ve never seen him do that with anyone else, but I’ve convinced myself he’s just being polite because he’s my boss. Coco hates that theory.
I live for the nights when it’s just the two of us. I’ve been buzzing all day knowing that tonight it will be just him and me at the clinic.
My phone buzzes again, and I glance at it just as Dr. Bennett enters the exam room. I blush when I see what Coco wrote and quickly shove it back into my pocket.
Wells clears his throat. I look up at him, my face flaming as I picture the two of us acting out what Coco suggested in her text. I swear Wells can read minds, so I look away and focus on the kitten he’s examining.
“Something important?” he asks, a warning edge to his tone.
I shake my head. “Sorry, I won’t be on my phone again.”
He frowns. “Who was texting you?”
“No one,” I lie.
His frown deepens. “Why were you blushing?”
“Uh, just… daydreaming.”
“About what?”
“Um…” I trail off, my face hot as I remember Coco’s message.
He arches an eyebrow. “Pearl.”
I pass him the chart, praying he lets this go. “This is Mittens. She’s here for her shots.”
Wells looks like he wants to argue with me, but when Mittens’ owner enters the room, he returns his attention to Mittens and gets to work.
My phone buzzes again.
Wells’ eyes narrow as they dart to my pocket. “Something you need to get?”
“Nope.” I paste a smile on my face. “I’ll go prepare the medicine.”
Then I bolt out of the room as if it’s on fire, feeling his eyes on me the whole way. I send up a silent prayer that I make it through the rest of my shift without being alone with Wells. Something tells me he won’t let this drop, so I need an excuse for why I was blushing at a text message.
Holly calls me up to the front to fix the printer as I finish preparing the syringes. It’s always jamming, and I’m the only one who can coax it back to life. I trade tasks with her, and she goes to exam room two to help Dr. Bennett.
I manage to make it through the rest of my shift without being alone with him. That doesn’t stop him from staring at me, though. I can feel his eyes on me all day.
By the time the clinic closes, I’m half hoping he stays and half dreading it if he does. I’m not prepared to answer his questions.
I wave goodbye to Holly and Claire, then check on the animals staying overnight for observation. I spend a few minutes with each, evaluating their condition before moving on to the next crate.
When I’m finished, I return to the front office to answer any leftover emails from today and tidy the desk.
I’m on the overnight shift today in case of emergencies.
In a small town like Wolf Valley, one person has to stay every week until at least 10 PM.
This ensures that the animals in boarding get their last dose of medicine for the day and that someone is on call for emergencies.
After 10 PM, we can go home, and calls are forwarded to our phones.
Luckily, we all live within fifteen minutes of the clinic and can get here quickly if needed.
In all the years I’ve worked here, I’ve only had to come in twice, so I doubt I’ll be working late tonight.
I glance at the clock as it nears 7 PM and sigh. My stomach grumbles.
As if on cue, the door opens, and Wells walks in carrying a take-out bag of tacos.
I thought he went home for the night, but I guess not.
“You’re working late,” I say, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah.” He drops the food in front of me, rounds the desk, sits in the chair beside mine, and nudges the bag toward me.
I open it, pulling out the tacos.
“Dig in,” he orders.
I smile, unwrapping one of the tacos. “Queso. My favorite.”
“I know.”
I pause, glancing at him, trying not to read too much into his comment. He’s probably seen me devouring one at lunch or something.
Grabbing a chip, I dip it in the queso and take a bite. I moan at the cheesiness, and Wells tenses next to me. I blush, embarrassed.
He clears his throat. “Who was texting you earlier?”
I swallow a sigh. Guess he’s not letting that go. “Just a friend.”
“What were you thinking about that made you blush like that?”
My cheeks heat with an answering blush. “I, uh, I can’t remember.”
“Surprising,” he says dryly. “Seemed like something good.”
I stare at him, wondering if he really is a mind reader. His eyes are heated as he meets my gaze, and my whole body throbs with need.
“Nope,” I finally squeak.
He seems disappointed by my answer.
Finishing my taco, I stand to excuse myself. “Just going to wash my hands.”
I speed walk down the hall to the bathroom in the back. Pulling out my phone, I tap on Coco’s name to call her.
“Hey,” she greets. “Headed home?”
“No! I’m still at work with Wells. He saw me texting you earlier and keeps asking about it. I don’t know, things are just… weird!”
“Weird how?”
“I was still blushing after your last text, and now he wants to know what the message was.”
“Tell him.”
I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face. “Oh my god. Please be helpful.”
Coco laughs. “I am! Tell him you want him. Then have hot, passionate sex all over the clinic.”
“Yeah, let’s say I don’t do that and I keep my job,” I snap.
“I’m serious! Tell him one of the sexy fantasies you’ve had about him. See what he does.”
“And then what? He rejects me, and I’m stuck working for him forever? No, I couldn’t handle that. I wouldn’t be able to face him again. I’d have to find a new job and move.”
“Or,” Coco interrupts, “he confesses his love for you and fucks you senseless.”
I’m about to tell her how insane that idea is when the door opens, and Wells walks into the bathroom.
“Call you back,” I mumble, hanging up before Coco can offer any other suggestions.
I straighten as Wells approaches.
Damn, I should have locked the door.
“Who was that?” he asks carefully.
“Just a friend.”
“So, why the secrecy?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Am I brave enough to tell him the truth? Admit that I want him? Can I do what Coco suggested? I want to be that badass who whispers sexy innuendos in Wells’ ear and asks him to recreate them right here and now.
But all I can think about is everything that could go wrong.
I stare at Wells and think about going home alone tonight. I’m so sick of being single. I want love. I want him. I want my happily ever after, and I’ll never get any of that if I don’t go for what I want.
“Pearl?” Wells prompts.
“I was thinking of something… good earlier,” I whisper.
His eyes sharpen, and he leans closer.
I back up, hitting the wall behind me as I stare up at him.
“What was it?” he asks roughly.
God, I can hear the heat in his voice.
This is it. All in from here on out.
“Kissing you,” I say softly.
Silence.
Wells stares at me, motionless.
I want to sink into the floor. Oh my god, I’ve ruined everything!
I can’t take it any longer. I can’t stay here. This is my worst fear coming to life.
I dart past him, rip the bathroom door open, and dash to the front desk to grab my things.
“Can you give the animals their last dose of meds?” I ask as I race out the front door.
I don’t wait for a response. I just go.
I’m already planning my next steps: quit, move, and change my name.