Chapter Nine
Blake
I ’m never dreading work—if anything, it’s one of the few places I feel completely comfortable—but there’s definitely a heaviness today.
After my therapy session last week, I went over to Lela’s house as promised. It didn’t take as long as she expected. My dad had helped me narrow it down ahead of time, so she wasn’t overwhelmed.
We went through the three companies my dad suggested looking into and called an agent with the best fitting option. It was a pleasant surprise that he knew Spanish, so Lela was comfortable knowing she didn’t accidentally miss anything if I had translated.
From there, the rest of the process was smooth. With the help of the agent, we got Chispa signed up and submitted. It was processed within twenty-four hours, so getting her an exam and appointment for blood work happened within the week as well.
My dad expected to get the results back yesterday, but when he got home, he admitted the lab hadn’t called yet. I’ve worked here long enough to know how fast and reliable the one he works with is, so I know the information is coming today—if not already.
Pushing through the front doors, I smile at Olivia when her head pops up.
“Hey, girl,” she greets me, but there’s already a sly tug to her lips as I get closer.
Shaking my head, I ask, “What’s going on?”
“You’ll never believe this. It’s a new record.”
With a confused tilt to my head, I round the desk and drop my bag on the floor. “The amount of times Dr. Fisher made the name joke?”
She snorts and twirls the pen in her fingers. “No, but I think he did hit that the other day. I mean our new resident pool boy.”
It’s my turn to chuckle. At times, I tend to ramble uncontrollably, and I mentioned that joke to her. She thought it was way funnier than I ever did though.
But considering Olivia’s happily married, I know she doesn’t have a crush on our newest employee. Despite what I told Catalina, my crush doesn’t feel fleeting. I’m not saying I’m ready to get down on one knee and propose to the guy, but the small spark of interest has grown into those pesky butterflies everyone goes on about.
We don’t have a lot of time to talk on our shifts but when we do, he makes sure to find me. Our conversations have stayed more superficial since the college debacle.
Usually, we talk about his classes and what workouts he has planned when he leaves a shift in gym clothes. Or he’ll ask me about my craft projects or about the town. He swears he’s not interested in staying in Amada Beach for longer than it takes to finish his degree and gain some experience. However, he loves knowing about some of our residents.
Without me having to ask, Olivia continues, “You remember that woman Quinn? She has the parrots?”
I shudder, knowing exactly which client she’s talking about. Birds aren’t uncommon patients, and some of them are fine. But I didn’t bring them up in therapy for no reason, and Quinn’s three are the exact reason why.
I hold up my hand and show her the small cut on my palm. “Yeah, I know those little fuckers.”
She grimaces. “I heard they bit you, I didn’t know it broke the skin.”
Dropping my hand, I lean on the desk and shrug. Sometimes I handle the animals, but that day Quinn wanted to introduce her parrot Jellybean to one of the kids in the waiting room. It was a busy afternoon, and he got spooked.
Thankfully, he somehow flew toward the desk rather than the kid’s head.
Needless to say, my dad has to emphasize the importance of keeping animals restrained on the premises now.
“Well, she took her shot.”
My mouth and stomach drop. Picking up the former, I ask, “What do you mean?” It’s a stupid question, but I never thought one of the clients would show actual interest in him.
Is that even allowed?
She watches me with a curious expression for a second before confirming what I know. “Quinn asked Adrian if she could have his number.”
To be fair, Quinn is probably about three years older than Adrian and gorgeous. She’s also insanely nice—flying nightmares aside.
“Uhm.” Rolling my lips between my teeth, I think through my words before accidentally word-vomiting. “What is the record he broke?”
Slower this time, almost cautiously, she answers, “How soon into a shift a client asked for his number, or a date.”
“He gets hit on ?” I mean, I know he does. I’ve watched it happen. But none of the women I’ve seen him interact with have taken it that far before.
There’s a gentle lilt to her voice now. “He’s never said yes. It’s not technically forbidden, but it wouldn’t be a good look for a young, new employee either.”
Nodding, I twist my lips but don’t say anything. Outside of a professional setting, I know Adrian wouldn’t be doing anything wrong if he had taken any of those women up on their offers. But it still leaves me feeling…
Well, to be honest, it leaves me feeling jealous.
I hate the idea of him showing interest in another woman before I’ve figured out what this crush means.
Not that he’s shown any in me necessarily, but he’s never shown any during the encounters I’ve witnessed.
“To be honest,” Olivia turns toward the computer screen and adds in a nonchalant voice, “I don’t think his reputation at work is the only reason he didn’t say yes. I think he really wasn’t interested in them .”
I’ve known Olivia for nearly a decade now—though our friendship has grown exponentially since I started to work here last spring. Which means she knows me well enough to read beyond my faux aloofness.
So, even if I want to believe her, I can’t overcome the voice in my head saying she was only placating me.
In response, I offer her a pathetic attempt at a smile when she glances at me from the corner of her eye. Before the conversation goes any further, my dad comes through the double doors and slows when he spots me.
“Hi, honey.” It’s his normal greeting, but today his words feel weighted.
Pushing off the desk, I wave a little awkwardly. “Hey, Dad.”
He nods toward his office. “Let’s talk for a minute.”
“Oh. Uhm. Okay…” I start following him but make the mistake of glancing toward Olivia on my way.
Her sad smile tells me everything I need to know about this conversation.
He settles in his chair, and I plop down across from him.
“What’s going on, Dad?” My thumb starts to tap across my fingers. Usually, I try harder to fight off the habit, but I can feel the looming dread in the room.
He lets out a sigh and leans forward on the desk. “Have you talked to Lela today?”
Biting my lip, I blink back the growing tears and shake my head. “I called her this morning, but she hadn’t heard anything yet. She never called me back… You got Chispa’s results, didn’t you?”
Nodding sadly, he tells me, “We did. I went to tell Lela and Jorge in person on my lunch break. Chispa has four mast cell tumors—all of them malignant.”
“Wow, okay,” I murmur and stare at the wall behind him. “So, obviously that means they’re cancerous. But what else does it mean?”
“Take a breath, Blake. I have high hopes for Chispa . We caught it early. Three of the lumps were small, and the fourth one is due to an almost overnight growth. It isn’t uncommon in these cases. More often than not, surgery is enough. But we’re ordering more tests to make sure it hasn’t spread to any internal organs.”
I let out a long breath and finally meet his eye. “You feel good about her chances though?”
His brows quirk up. “So now you’re interested in my instincts, huh?”
With a small tug to my lips, I shrug. “When it comes to work, always .”
There’s amusement in his eyes as he nods firmly, “I can’t make any promises, honey, but I have a really good feeling about Chispa’s diagnosis.”
Nodding emphatically, I push off the chair. He follows me toward the door this time. “I believe you, Dad. It’s just… that cat means everything to Lela since her daughter moved. She’s lonely without her grandkids.”
His expression softens, and he squeezes my shoulder. “I know, Blake. Trust me, I know . And that’s why I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she’s healthier than ever.”
Looking up at him, I read a novel’s worth of unspoken words on his face.
Finding the balance between professional and personal relationships hasn’t been the easiest feat for my dad. He’s gotten to a great place within the last few years, but that’s after facing a minor scandal a few years ago.
When you live in a small town, it’s not as simple as quietly doing a favor for a friend under the table… because before you know it, everyone in Amada Beach knows, and a lot of people have pets and their own troubles—financially or otherwise.
My parents are beloved in this town, so the backlash didn’t last long. Soon after, people understood that it wasn’t feasible to offer free medical care to every single animal, no matter how badly he wished he could.
The mental impact of that time had a lingering effect on my dad. He’s a happy, albeit quiet man, so I’m sure most people couldn’t tell. But it was a dark time for him—and unfortunately, not the first that I remember in my life.
So, I fight my instincts to push about Chispa and try my best to believe his words as reality, not just a promise.
“You okay?” he asks, his tone more serious now.
Nodding I take a breath, trying as best I can to ease my features. “I’m not surprised, just…”
“Disappointed,” he finishes for me. “I understand that well.”
“That’s exactly it.”
Gently, he grabs my hand and stops the tapping. This time, I hadn’t noticed I started again, but my mind feels disconnected from my body right now. “You know, honey, this could’ve had a different outcome if you hadn’t taken the time to really listen to Lela that day. Focus on that for now.”
I scrunch my nose when my eyes burn again. It’s a path my brain hadn’t explored yet, and I’m not sure it ever would have. But even my anxiety can’t tell me he’s wrong.
In the short time I’ve worked here, I have learned a few things. Like the fact most insurances won’t cover a person, or animal, who is already diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Lela and Jorge’s options would’ve been a lot more limited had she not signed up for the plan last week.
“Okay,” I agree, nodding more confidently now. “Yeah, that’s a good point.”
He offers me a proud smile and turns toward the hallway before stopping abruptly. Leaning around him, I spot Adrian standing just around the corner. It’s obvious he didn’t want to interrupt, and he looks more awkward than I’ve ever seen.
The sight has me biting back a grin.
“Sorry—I was waiting.”
“We’re finished. What do you need help with, Adrian?”
“Olivia checked in the hedgehog—Willow—and she’s ready to see you.” He grimaces. “It looks like mites—if I were to guess,” he quickly adds.
My dad chuckles easily. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. Is that her chart?”
Adrian nods and hands it to my dad. He takes it, walking away as he begins reading the notes.
Instead of following, Adrian hesitates. I don’t move toward the chair a couple feet away, choosing to watch him back. When my fingers start tapping again, I bend my arm and hide the movement, rather than even attempting to stop it.
His expression is observant where I’m sure mine is confused. When I’m about to break the silence, he reluctantly asks, “You okay?”
Oh .
He definitely overheard part of our conversation then. “Yeah, I will be.”
I can tell he wants to push the subject, but he just motions his head in understanding and starts to turn toward the back. It’s on the tip of my tongue to stop him, to carry on our conversation a little bit longer. Even if the actual words are beyond me.