Epilogue
L ayla awoke with a smile. The early morning sun filtered through her bedroom window. Still swathed in dreams, Layla reached to the other side of the bed. Her lips pressed into a pout as she found the space empty.
Something bright caught her eye. She picked up the yellow Post-it note sticking to the other pillowcase.
You are a badass, the note read … And you have a very, very good ass, too. A heart encapsulated the words.
Layla giggled.
“Mrw?” a voice asked impetuously. A regal figure leaped onto the bed and flopped next to Prem’s pillow.
“You’re not exactly who I was hoping for,” Layla whispered to Garland, “but I’m happy to see you all the same.” She reached out and stroked the cat’s beautiful calico coat.
“Meow!” Garbo whined from the other side of the bed, where she lay nuzzled against Layla’s hip.
“Okay, okay, there’s plenty of love to go around,” Layla said gently to her felines. After several minutes of pet snuggles, she finally threw off the sheets, stood, and stretched.
Her legs felt good…finally.
It’d been a week since the race, and the last aches from her ultra-marathon had finally faded. Those early days after the event hadn’t been pretty. Stairs had turned into her arch nemesis. She’d spent many evenings on the couch watching old sitcoms with her mom or receiving dearly needed massages from Prem after work.
On the bright side, Prem had prescribed her “lots of bed rest,” since he was a doctor and all. Ever the good patient, Layla had been more than happy to comply with his wishes.
Today, though, her legs felt strong. The sunshine and warm morning air called to her. For the first time since the race, she was tempted to lace up her shoes and go for a run.
Not today, she told herself. Today, she had a very special mission.
She looked once around the guest bedroom of her mother’s house. My bedroom, she reminded herself. It still didn’t feel quite real, but she lived here now and couldn’t be happier. Now, she could take better care of her mother, help out around the house, and do most of the cooking, thank gosh! The small amount of rent she’d insisted her mother accept also made it possible for Layla to focus on her veterinary tech program rather than being forced to find another job right away.
Humming to herself, Layla crossed the hall into the bathroom.
Just the sight of Prem’s toothbrush in the holder next to hers made her smile again like a giddy schoolgirl. She reached out and touched his comb, his razor, and the male skin cream that filled her nostrils with the scent of sage and pine.
Prem still rented his small, dark apartment, but he’d slept there less than three days the past week. He might as well live here in this old, colorful, creaky house with Layla and her mother.
Layla gave her reflection a saucy smile. It won’t be long until he does.
She just knew in her gut that this was their home together. After finishing up in the bathroom, she pulled a brush a few times through her shoulder-length hair, then changed into a peach-colored checkered blouse and a jean skirt covered in heart patches. Peach wicker sandals completed the look.
Layla found her love in the kitchen. Prem sat at the small table reviewing patient files on his tablet, a plate of buttered toast and a mug of black coffee at his elbow. He looked up when she entered the room and smiled.
That smile.
It still turned her knees swoony and filled her stomach with fuzzy caterpillars. She loved every single bit of him. His strong nose, thick brows, deep voice, and those beautiful swirling cowlicks in his ebony hair. Prem stood, strode across the room, and gave her a long, simmering kiss.
“Morning,” he murmured.
“Morning,” she whispered back, then slapped the yellow Post-it note on his chest. “You have a very good ass too!”
He squeezed her tight and covered her with kisses as she giggled.
Twenty minutes later, Layla handed her breakfast plate to Prem to dry. She gazed out the window, where her mother fussed over the rose bushes. Dede caught her eye. The older woman pointed to Prem and performed a chef’s kiss.
Layla nodded and giggled.
Prem set the plate aside and kissed her neck. “Ready for our special mission?” he murmured against her skin.
“I’m not sure I can do it,” Layla answered. Her heart clenched.
“You can,” Prem assured her. “I’ll be with you the whole time.”
Layla swallowed, then nodded. Yes, she was strong enough. “Okay, I’m ready.”
*
A half-hour later, waves of nostalgia washed across Layla’s soul as Prem pulled his SUV into the small lot behind the All Paws and Claws clinic. He opened her door, took her hand, and led her inside the building.
Layla paused just across the threshold and closed her eyes, taking it in. She breathed in the familiar smell of the clinic and listened to the hum of the air conditioning system. Even the squeak of Prem’s shoes on the floor made her feel teary.
“You only left a week ago,” Prem joked. “And you’re here so often it doesn’t even feel like you’re gone.”
“But it was my home,” she whispered.
“I know.” He kissed her bare shoulder before leading her further into the building.
A sound caught Layla off guard, the squeak of shoes that weren’t Prem’s coming from the exam room.
“Is someone here?” Layla hissed, alarm raising the hairs on the back of her neck.
Prem groaned. “No one should be.” He pushed open the back door to the exam room and frowned. “Dale, the clinic doesn’t open for another hour. What are you doing here?”
The tall, freckled teen grinned sheepishly. “I just wanted to make sure the place is ready for when the clients get here.” He raised a cleaning cloth and disinfectant spray. “Hi, Layla.”
“Hi, Dale.” Layla smiled at the new receptionist she’d been coming in to train over the past week.
“I’m not paying you overtime,” Prem grumbled. Layla elbowed him.
“Oh, I don’t need overtime,” Dale assured him. “I’m just so glad to have this job.”
“Anything to get out of school, huh?” Layla teased.
Dale’s work-study program allowed him to work half a day and go to high school during the second half. He shared the reception job with a kind, older woman named Mina who supported her two grandchildren.
“Nah, I don’t mind school,” Dale said. “But I want to be an exotic vet someday, and this is the best place in town to get experience.” He looked up at Prem, his eyes shining with hero worship.
“It’s a long, hard grind,” Prem warned him.
“I know,” Dale nodded, his face growing serious. “I’m ready.”
“We’ll see about that.” Prem kept his expression neutral, but Layla knew he adored his newest employee. Dale was a serious, hard-working blonde version of a younger Prem.
“Remember, I’m coming in an hour late today,” Prem said to the boy. “Deja knows. She adjusted the schedule.”
“Right!” Dale nodded. “I’ll hold down the fort for you.”
Prem gave him a nod. “You do that.”
Layla tried to hide her smile as she and Prem walked to the very back of the clinic, where the overnight crates stood against the wall.
Prem quickly checked on a pug who’d undergone kidney surgery while Layla opened Sunny’s crate and brought the orange tabby to the exam table.
Not so long ago, Sunny had been nothing more than a pile of bones wrapped in dull, clumped fur. Now, the cat was sturdy and strong, his body filled out, his fur coat lush and soft. Where once, he had shied away from humans, now, he head-butted Layla and revved up his purr the moment she scratched behind his ears.
“You’ve come such a long way,” she told him. Her voice caught. “I’m so proud of you, Sunny.”
The cat preened, his stubby tail flicking behind him.
Prem performed a quick health assessment, checking the cat’s eyes, ears, teeth, and stomach.
“I think you’re good to go, my man,” he said to the cat, then looked to Layla. “He’ll always have weakness in his back legs. And he’ll be at a higher risk for arthritis, but all in all, it’s one of the best recoveries I’ve ever seen.”
Layla gathered Sunny in her arms. “You were Dr. Goldman’s last gift to the world. And what a beautiful, wonderful gift you are.” She kissed the feline’s head, and Sunny purred against her chest. “Now, I need you to be brave today, okay? We’ve enjoyed having you here so much, but you’ve got a very important job to do. There’s a wonderful girl who deserves lots of love and plenty of cuddles. It’s up to you to help her realize how special she is. Can you handle that, Sunny?”
“No pressure,” Prem muttered.
“Yes, you can,” Layla continued. She kissed Sunny again as she lowered him into a carrying case.
“He’s hogging all the kisses,” Prem whined.
*
It seemed like just moments later, Prem pulled his SUV into a guest spot in front of a tidy little apartment complex. He shut off the SUV and sat a moment.
“You ready?” he asked Layla.
She looked through the mesh of the cat carrier in her lap and smiled at Sunny. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“Good. That’s good.” Prem nodded, cleared his throat, swallowed. “Me, too.”
Layla touched his thigh. “It’s okay to cry. We all love Sunny.”
“What?” Prem scoffed and wiped quickly at his eyes. “It’s just, um, dust. I haven’t cleaned out these vents in a while. In fact, I think I might be allergic to cats.”
“I see. That must be it.” Layla gave him a kiss on the cheek before opening her door.
As she and Prem walked up the sidewalk toward the complex, Layla spotted a familiar figure.
Jax stood on a patch of grass in the courtyard holding a leash attached to a gorgeous Bengal cat. Styles romped in the grass, batting wildly at the air before flopping to the ground and rolling.
“Jax, your new roommate is here!” Layla called, holding up the carrying case.
Jax pulled a lollipop from her mouth and smiled. “I can’t wait to meet him,” she said. “I’ll keep Styles out for a while longer so you guys can get Sunny settled.”
“Great idea,” Prem agreed.
“And, um…” Jax took a step closer to them and lowered her voice. “Just a warning, Willow’s been, well, a tad nervous about the introduction.”
“Understood.” Layla gave the youngest member of the Crazy Cat Ladies Club a quick hug before she and Prem continued on their way. They walked down the rows of apartments until she found the right number. As Prem raised his fist to knock, the door flew open.
Willow stood inside the threshold, her face pale and tight with dread. “Hi,” she whispered. “Come in. I have Sunny’s room made up. Are cats allergic to carpet?” She gazed up at Prem and then quickly away. “I looked it up, and nothing said they were, but you’re a vet.”
Willow performed her strange, finger-touching ritual.
“No,” Prem answered calmly. “Cats are not allergic to carpet.”
“And I got the cat food you recommended. Has he eaten yet?” Willow marched through the apartment. “I bought a scale so I can weigh the wet food.”
The apartment was small but cozy, with large windows that filled the place with sunshine.
“Willow.” Layla put an arm on the younger woman’s shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. Do you want to meet Sunny?”
Willow stopped and pulled in a deep breath. “Yes,” she whispered. “In here.”
She led them into a small bedroom. Layla looked around, intrigued by the bookshelf filled with tiny pewter figurines of fairies, elves, sorcerers, dragons, trolls, and all sorts of fantasy creatures. On the walls, large posters showcased beautiful elven women, dashing knights, and strange creatures with wings, claws, and eagle heads. A neat stack of cat care books sat on the nightstand.
“I got him a cat tree.” Willow pointed to a three-level tier in the corner between two shelves. “Is it too high?”
“Nope, it’s perfect,” Prem answered as Layla set down the carrying case. “Sunny probably won’t be able to make it to the top, but he should be fine on the lower levels. It’ll be good exercise for him.”
“And I got him a cat bed,” Willow continued. “And his litter box is in the closet. Hopefully, once he’s free to roam the house, he’ll use the one in the bathroom like Styles does.”
“Give it time,” Prem told her gently. “Let him stay here in your room for a few days. Did you watch the video I sent about how to introduce new cats?”
Willow nodded, her black hair flowing around her face. “Eight times.”
“Good,” Prem replied. “Let the cats dictate the pace. Sunny is shy, so it might take him a while to feel comfortable in his surroundings. It’s okay to allow him to hide for a while. And this is Styles’ territory, so he may be aggressive at first. If they don’t get along, keep them separated for a longer period of time.”
Willow nodded and performed her finger-touching ritual again.
“And you can always call me if you have any questions,” Prem told her.
He was so kind and understanding. Layla wanted to simultaneously hug him forever…and tear off his clothes.
Resisting her carnal urges, Layla lowered herself to the ground and unzipped the front end of the cat carrier. “Sunny, come on out and meet your new person.”
The orange tabby carefully poked his head out of the carrier, his nose twitching as he took in the unfamiliar scents.
“Meow?” he asked Layla in confusion.
Willow stared at the cat, transfixed. She sank to the carpeted floor. “Hello, Sunny. Welcome to your new home,” she said formally.
Tense and alert, Sunny stepped out of the carrier and looked around. His stubby tail flicked.
Slowly, Willow extended her hand and held it out to Sunny. The orange cat sniffed her fingers, then sat back on his haunches. Willow brushed her fingertips over his head and back. A wide, beautiful smile broke over her face.
“Hi, Sunny,” she whispered again.
Tears swam in Layla’s eyes, and she felt Prem slide his hand into hers.
*
After Prem had patiently answered dozens of questions from Willow and reviewed Sunny’s physical therapy routine with her one more time, it had been time to say goodbye.
Now, fifteen minutes later, Layla sat in the passenger seat of Prem’s SUV once again. Their special mission was over, but the day was just beginning. In the driver’s seat, Prem hit his blinker and turned into a small college campus. Layla looked out the window at the neat brick buildings as her pulse rose.
Could she really do this?
Yes, her inner voice said.
Prem pulled up in front of a building.
Sagebrush Canyon College School of Veterinary Studies said a formal placard on the front of the building.
“You’ve got your books?” Prem asked. “And some notebooks. Pens, pencils, laptop? Folders? And water? You need to stay hydrated.”
Layla laughed. “You didn’t need to drive me to my first day of school. You have animals to help.”
“You kidding? I wouldn’t miss it.” He stepped out of the car, walked around the front, and opened her door. “Layla, this is the first day of the rest of your life.” He held out his hand. “You ready?”
“Wait, I just want to do one thing.” She took his hand, held it to her chest, and closed her eyes.
Today is going to be a beautiful day because…
The answers poured from her soul.
Because I have a wonderful mother and gloriously bad-ass sister, and the best friends in the world. Because I am strong and brave. And even though I’m scared, I’m not going to let it stop me from getting out of this car and restarting my dream. Because in one year, I’m going to be a veterinary technician and I’ll get to dedicate my life to helping animals and their humans.
And because I’ve finally found true love.
Yes, her prince charming might be a little rough around the edges, but he’d captured her heart, not by saving her, but by showing her that she’d been able to save herself all along.
Layla opened her eyes, shouldered her massive purse, and turned to Prem, “Now I’m ready.”
Prem tugged her out of the car and wrapped his arms around her, bathing her in warmth and the scent she now craved, pine and sage.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered. Then his lips met hers. Layla looped her arms around his neck and pressed deeper into the kiss.
She knew her true love story was just beginning.
~
Thank You For Reading!