Chapter 11 #2
Tolliver thew me one last grin then followed Paris outside, and I walked back to greet the animals. They were all so excited. The barks and meows sounded more welcoming than intimidating. Although I knew they'd likely react this way to any new visitor, I smiled and moved to fill their bowls.
"Hey guys," I said. "I missed you too."
I made the rounds, pouring kibble and replenishing water, giving the dogs and cats ear scritches as well, receiving little yips and purrs that might as well have been thank yous.
When one of the dogs licked my hand, I murmured my thanks and sent him air kisses in return.
Once every animal had been fed, I returned to the center of the room.
"And because I know you love it," I said, "how about some dinner music?"
I pressed play on my phone, and strings filled the space.
Walking to one of the cages, I made sure she was done before bringing the little black dog out and settling her on my lap. She nudged my hand with her nose, but I shook my head.
"No live music today."
She gazed up at me, and I shrugged.
"Sorry, Raven. Maybe next time," I said.
With a content sigh, she leaned her head against my leg as I ran my fingers through her soft coat, following with the brush I had tucked into my pocket.
"What kind of dog is that?" Tolliver asked, coming to sit next to me.
"She's a terrier mix."
He reached over to pet her too, and she rolled, giving us both these soulful eyes.
"Raven loves being petted."
"She's a sweetheart," Tolliver said, rubbing her tummy.
I hummed. "They all are."
"What's with the music?"
"Vi would play cello for them." I sent him a smile. "Still does when she's here. She told me they liked it, so I usually bring my violin."
Raven wriggled happily with all the attention.
"I wish I was more like her."
"Who Raven or Viola?"
"Well, both," I said with a laugh, "but I meant Viola. She came here all the time, spent countless hours at the shelter. As much as I love being with Raven and the others...I just can't."
Tolliver nodded. "You wish you could take them all home."
My eyes went to his in surprise. "Yes."
"It would be hard to leave."
Eyes filling, throat closing up, I managed a nod. "It is. I hate leaving them."
Tolliver simply nodded again and after another minute, we stood to take Raven back to her cage. After giving her one last stroke, I moved to the next cage, handing Tolliver two tiny yorkies, a bonded pair, while I brought out a golden labradoodle.
Tolliver lifted a brow, gesturing with his chin to the music coming from my phone's speaker. "Is this Taylor Swift?"
"Yeah, a string cover," I said. "I'm impressed."
"I have good musical taste, Kent."
"Apparently. Viola says the shelter animals love—oh shoot. I forgot."
"What?"
Pulling up my phone's FaceTime app, I explained, "Viola likes to see the animals. I can't believe it slipped my mind."
"Well, these guys can be distracting," he said, petting the two yorkies.
I knew he was talking about the dogs, but watching Tolliver love on them was doing something strange to my heart.
Luckily, Viola picked up, bringing me back from the brink, as she said, "Freya! Finally! It's been so long since I've heard from you. I was starting to wonder if you were alive."
"Still here," I said. "How's college?"
"Summer classes are a pain. But I'm hanging in there. How about you?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but Tolliver laughed, saying, "She sounds like Elle."
Viola's brows went up. "Who was that?" she asked.
I shrugged. "My maid for the week."
"Your what?"
Instead of answering, I just flipped the camera on my phone. "Say hi, Tolliver."
"Hey," he said, lifting one of the little dogs in his hands as if he was waving. "What's up, Viola?"
"Um, hi," she said. "And you're at the shelter?"
"Yeah," I said.
"And you brought your maid with you?"
"I did."
Tolliver nuzzled first one then the other yorkie, both of whom gave him tons of kisses, and he laughed again. "Glad she did. This place and these guys are awesome."
"Mmm," Viola murmured, "Freya, turn me back around will you? And let's talk somewhere a little more private?"
Uh oh.
That didn't sound good.
Giving Tolliver a look, I walked to the farthest part of the room, sitting and petting the golden labradoodle as I turned the camera back to me, decreasing the volume. It was a good thing I did because Viola was not quiet as she squealed, "Freya Kent!"
"What?" I asked.
"Okay, so you know I'm happily in a relationship with my boyfriend who I love dearly. So, you know that when I say what I do next, there's no ulterior motive."
"How is Dare? Feels like a long time since I've seen him," I said, trying to deflect, but she saw right through me.
"He's amazing, still the same sarcastic, slightly cocky but absolutely lovable guy I fell for, still killing it in soccer, but stop trying to distract me. Tolliver is gorgeous!"
"He's alright."
She scoffed. "Why is this the first time I'm hearing about him?"
"Well..."
"And what's with the maid thing?"
Before I could deflect again, Viola held up a hand.
"Tell me, or I'll be forced to make something up. My imagination can be a scary place."
So, I told her. It was a quick, condensed version, but Viola was gaping at the end.
Finally, she said, "And I thought you'd be depressed, crying in your room about the tour."
"Did that too," I said.
"I'm jealous. Your summer is so much more interesting than mine."
A shrug.
"Freya, be honest. You brought him to the shelter," she said. "You light up when you talk about him."
"I don't—"
"Are you falling for Tolliver?"
Unable to lie to her, I groaned. "Not willingly."
Viola did a little happy dance. "Ooh, I can't wait to meet him."
"Don't think that'll happen," I mumbled.
She completely ignored me. "He sounds nice, and don't even try to lie. He looked good holding those dogs."
Glancing up, catching sight of Tolliver, smiling down at them while holding two very cute, very content dogs, I had to admit she was right.
"Tolliver's wonderful. But I refuse to fall for another jock, Vi," I said.
"Sounds like he's more than that."
"Still, whatever he is, I'm immune."
"Hmmm."
"I have to be."
"Let me know how that works out," she said dryly.
"Will do."
"Okay, now take me back, so I can see the fur babies."
I did.
After hanging up with Viola, we spent another couple hours at the shelter, helping Paris with whatever she needed, and it was hard to ignore Tolliver's presence.
Maybe I'd found my new kryptonite, I thought. Tolliver, the apron, the dogs. Who could resist?
My heart was melting, and I didn't know how to stop it.
It was just him.
And honestly, I was not immune.