Chapter Twenty-Six
Dáithí
I can’t even remember the last time I had a workday off for no reason.
I take vacation time, of course, but usually if I have a random day off, it’s because I have an appointment or errand that can only be done on a weekday.
A day off “just because” is different, and I can confirm that it’s deliciously decadent.
My appointed spies for the day were Caolan and Candice, and they both reported several times that Eoin hadn’t burned the place down and was keeping reasonably on top of things.
That’s honestly more than I expected—he’s never worked as a receptionist before, our offices are busy, and we work with dragons.
I made some calls yesterday to the worst troublemakers in the office and threatened them with dire consequences if they weren’t on their best behavior for the day.
It wasn’t for Eoin’s benefit as much as to save me from having to deal with anything catastrophic tomorrow, though I’m not upset if Eoin benefitted from it.
The job’s enough of a challenge on its own without the extra zip dragons bring.
But office hours officially ended an hour ago, and the final report from Candice was that I can expect to find things in reasonable shape tomorrow.
Eoin texted me not long after to say he needed to run an errand, but could he come over when he was done, so I’m expecting him soon, and looking forward to hearing how his day was.
And not just because he was doing my job today.
The domesticity of my feelings toward Eoin scares the crap out of me.
Elsking and I are on the couch, watching an episode of Dawson’s Creek, which Jared told me was formative to his teen years—and I can see why; it’s incredibly addictive, even if all these supposed teenagers look ten years older than they should be—when I hear the key in the front door.
I don’t take my eyes off the screen, though.
Is this the episode where Joey finally chooses between Pacey and Dawson?
“Dáithí?” Eoin calls—just as the credits roll. Damn it.
“In here,” I reply, picking up the remote to stop the stream. As much as I desperately want to know what happens next, I’d rather spend the evening with Eoin.
Anyway, how long can this love triangle last? Aren’t human teens supposed to be impulsive?
Eoin appears in the doorway, and the second his gaze lands on me, he smiles. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I scan him, my eyes skimming up and down his body. “You look unharmed.”
His chuckle is natural but… nervous? Why’s he nervous? “I need to apologize deeply for everything I’ve ever done to make your job harder, but before we get to that, I’ve got something to show you.”
My brows shoot up. “I’m guessing this isn’t a sexy show-and-tell.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “It’s not bad, though. I did something that you could get mad about, and—”
“At work?” My hands freeze in Elsking’s fur as my mind races with all the possibilities.
“Not at work. I promise, work was… well, not fine. You’re a superhero for all the shit you put up with. But I didn’t do anything bad at work, even though I want to buy the biggest hammer I can find and use it to smash the printer into pieces so small, we’ll need a vacuum to clean them up.”
I relax, laughter bubbling up inside me. “I’d offer to pay for the hammer, but it took me a long time to learn this printer’s idiosyncrasies. Who knows what the next one will be like.” I hold out a hand to him, not sure why he’s still hovering in the doorway.
He doesn’t seem to get the hint, staying right where he is. “I really hope I never have to learn. Anyway… I know it’s going to seem like I’m being presumptuous, so I want to explain first that this is for me, too, and if you never want to see her again, that can happen.”
“What? See who?” I’m so confused.
Taking a deep breath, he leans down to the side, out of my view, and when he straightens, he’s holding… a pet carrier. I can’t see inside it from this angle, but based on what he said a minute ago, I have a strong suspicion about what’s inside.
“I think we might need more words now, Eoin.”
He nods. “Yeah. Of course. I adopted a rabbit. She doesn’t have a name yet, but she’s four years old and her previous owner was an unscrupulous breeder. Human police removed her and a few others from his custody, and now they’re being rehomed. I thought she and Elsking might like to be friends.”
My heart aches thinking of how bad things must have been for law enforcement to get involved. “How many others?”
“I don’t know, but Bobby at the shelter had a waitlist of people to call, so I think they’re okay.”
That’s a relief, though it makes me wonder how Eoin managed to be ahead of those people. Does that mean he was on the list? “I bet Elsking would love to have a friend. I read online that rabbits prefer to have company.”
The flash of guilt on Eoin’s face answers all my questions, but he’s coming into the room now, so I hold off on asking about it. He sets the carrier on the coffee table, and I sit up and lean forward, keeping Elsking in my arms just in case.
“She’s very affectionate,” Eoin’s saying as he unlatches the door.
“The vet report said that she’s healthy, just underweight, but we can fix that.
She won’t have to worry about not getting enough to eat or being forced to always stay pregnant anymore.
” He reaches inside and withdraws her, and even though she’s lovely, I can see immediately that she’s too thin.
Unlike Elsking, who’s mostly white with one brown ear and brown patches around her eyes, this lady has golden brown fur all over—except for her belly, which is lighter.
She’s the color of a butterscotch candy, and from the way she cuddles close to Eoin, I’m willing to bet she’s just as sweet.
“Aw, look at her,” I gush, then pat the seat beside me. “Come over here, and let’s introduce them.”
Eoin joins me on the couch and sets the new bunny on his lap. She huddles close to him, and I can’t tell if she’s just shy or if this is trauma. “She’s nervous,” he says, worry entering his tone as he gives her gentle, reassuring pets. “It’s okay, my sweet. Nobody will hurt you here.”
My heart melts into a puddle. “Let her stay with you. Elsking will come there.” If there’s one thing I’ve learned about my bunny in the past couple of weeks, it’s that she’s curious about everyone and everything.
I relax my hold on her, and within seconds, she’s edging over toward Eoin’s lap to check out the newcomer.
It’s like watching her meet Jared’s cat all over again, only without any concern about her being attacked.
She sniffs around for a bit, getting progressively closer to the new bunny, then finally sniffs her directly.
Goldie—which is not going to be her name, but will do for now—turns her head toward Elsking, and their little bunny noses touch.
Eoin and I make “cuteness overload” noises at the same time, and I grin at him. “I think they’ll be fine.”
“Ha. Yeah.” He’s watching the two rabbits in his very crowded lap with a little smile, and I decide to take advantage of his preoccupation.
“Did you get her because you were worried about Elsking being lonely?”
“Ye—” He cuts himself off and shoots me a guilty glance.
I wait him out, and eventually he sighs.
“Yes. I read a few articles about how rabbits are social and thrive when they’re not alone, and then I spoke to a vet about it as well.
It didn’t seem right to not give Elsking and another rabbit every advantage.
But I swear I’m not planning to just leave her with you.
I have things for her at my place, and I’m her owner on all the paperwork.
” He eyes me, but I’m concentrating on keeping my expression blank.
“I thought they could both go back and forth between our houses and keep each other company during the day while we’re working. ”
I nod noncommittally, thoughts whirling, and turn my attention back to his lap, where Elsking has started grooming her new bestie. “Have you thought about names for her?”
Eoin’s gaze is burning a hole in the side of my face, but I don’t look up, and after a moment he says, “Not really. There was a woman at the shelter when I picked her up who suggested Goldie, but I don’t love it.”
I pull a face. “Me either. Though she is a gorgeous color. I know it’s not very creative, but what about Butterscotch?”
The second the word leaves my mouth, she looks at me.
Eoin laughs delightedly. “Did you see that?”
“I did. Is that your name, then? Butterscotch?” I ask her, and her nose twitches. A smile takes over my lips.
“That’s settled,” Eoin announces. “My princess’s name is Butterscotch.” He strokes her ears, careful not to disturb either of them. “They seem to have made fast friends.” It’s not a question, but there’s a tentative inquiry in his voice.
“I’m not mad, Eoin.”
He sighs with relief.
“But we do need to talk.”
“About the rabbits?”
“Yes, but not just that. Though, just so you know, you caring so much about the welfare of my pet makes me really fucking horny.”
A strangled sound escapes his throat. “Good to know.”
“And I agree, it would be best for them to keep each other company when we’re working or out, and they can stay with us wherever we’re staying at night. Were you planning this when you extended Elsking’s hutch?”
He shrugs slightly. “Not exactly. I mostly wanted to give her some play tunnels, but the guy I ordered her new collar from mentioned that rabbits like company. I was still looking into it when I made the plan to extend the hutch, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to make it big enough for two, just in case.
I built the same one for my place, so it will feel familiar to them. ”
“That’s so swee— Wait, what new collar?” He ordered a new collar for her?
“Oh. Well, you know how you weren’t happy with the selection when you got her collar?
I was looking online at what was available so I could send you some links, but nothing was good enough.
So I contacted this company that makes them custom.
I ordered one already, mostly to see if they do good work, and I figured if they do, you can design what you like for Elsking.
And I’ll get one for Butterscotch, too—they had fake yellow topazes that would look beautiful with her fur. ”
I bury my face in my hands, not sure whether to laugh or just break down. I thought I’d worked through all my conflicted feelings and come to a decision I was happy with, but I was so wrong.
“Dáithí? I’m sorry if I overstepped. I swear, I wasn’t making decisions for you. I just didn’t want you to spend time designing something and be disappointed if the quality turned out bad.”
Shaking my head, I drop my hands and meet his worried gaze. “It’s not that. I’m not mad, Eoin, and I’m so sorry you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around me.”
“I don’t,” he says immediately, surprise dominating his expression. “If I did, I just wouldn’t have done the things that might make you mad. But I also don’t want to be pushy. Elsking’s yours.”
His insistence on respecting me—and the boundaries I’ve been setting—is all I needed for the last piece to click into place.
“We should call off the Summit of Love.”