Chapter 15
RAFE
“Mrs. Brooks, I’m very glad you came in today.
There is definitely a long list of foods that you should not be allowing Angus to eat.
I’m going to print them out for you, but just so we’re clear, Angus cannot have chocolate.
He cannot have grapes or raisins. He cannot have onions, garlic, or chives, no matter how much you think he wants those in the home-prepared meals you make for him.
You also do not want to give him macadamia nuts or cooked bones. ”
“But he loves chicken bones.”
“I understand that. However, cooked bones can splinter easily and severely injure the digestive tract. And I know you don’t want that.”
She nods solemnly. “I just didn’t know there were so many different things he couldn’t eat.”
“Well, I’m glad you came in today, and I’m glad he didn’t eat too much of that chocolate. We were able to induce vomiting. We will keep him just to monitor how he’s doing, put him on an IV, and then you should be able to pick him up tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Doctor. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Well, I’m glad to be here.”
“You’re the best vet I’ve ever been to.”
“Well, I appreciate the compliments. If you have any other questions, please let me know. If not, I’m just going to write up some information for your chart, and then I have some other animals waiting to see me.”
“Oh, no other questions. Just thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
I smile at her and exit the room, heading to the back. I can hear several dogs barking, and I smile.
I love being a vet. I love taking care of animals. I love helping people ensure that their loved ones, even though they are furry or have scales, are well taken care of.
“Dr. Bishop?” One of the vet techs who works for me comes hurrying in. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Sure, Maybelline. What is it?”
“There’s a TV show filming down at the beach. My cousin Gemma just messaged me, and I was wondering if I could have a little longer lunch break so I can check it out. There’s meant to be a really famous actor who’s going to be part of the cast. I was hoping to get his autograph.”
I stare at her for a couple of seconds and frown.
“Do you know the name of the famous actor?” I say.
Not because I care about who the famous actor is, but because, once again, I’m irritated about hearing about this show. I didn’t want Juniper to partake in it, but I knew I had no business requesting that she didn’t.
“Oh, I think his name is August Pitt.”
“Do you know him?”
“He was in that Greek movie last year, and he’s going to be the next Batman or Superman or something.
He’s so good-looking. I don’t even know how they got him to be on this show, but these girls are so lucky.
Any woman would die to be with him. Plus, whoever wins his heart is also going to get a shit ton of money. ”
She sighs. “I love my job here, but, man, what I wouldn’t do to have a shit ton of money and a date with August.”
“Well, you may take an hour lunch break,” I say. “But then I’ll need you back. We have a lot of appointments this afternoon.”
“Oh, thank you, Dr. Bishop. You’re the best.”
“You’re welcome. If you don’t mind, I need to make a call. I’m just going to pop out to the back for a second.”
“Okay.”
I step out the back and grab my phone and call Juniper.
I don’t know what I’m doing, but I need to make sure she’s okay. The previous night was a lot. It was special. It was spicy. Yet I didn’t want her to feel used.
She answers on the second ring. “Hello?”
She sounds breathless, and I frown.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m changing into a bikini,” she says. “Why? What’s up? Is everything okay? Did you leave something in my room last night?”
“No, I didn’t. I was just—what do you mean, you’re changing into a bikini? You’re going to the beach?”
“Oh, I guess they’re shooting a scene today.
I thought I was just going to be doing some preshow questions, but I guess because the weather is nice, they have a bikini opening, and we’re all going to be running down the beach.
And, oh my gosh, I just found out who the main bachelor on the show is going to be, and I’m so excited. ”
I bite down on my lower lip. “Oh? So, you like movie stars?”
“August Pitt. Who doesn’t absolutely love him? He’s the best-looking man in Hollywood right now. Could you imagine if I got a date with him? Or if he kisses me, or …”
“Really, Juniper?” I snap, and she pauses.
“What? Aren’t you excited for me?”
“I was literally in your bedroom last night. Do you really think this is an appropriate conversation for us to be having?”
“What? We just had a fun night, and it meant nothing, so I figured we were friends now.”
“We’ve always been friends.”
“Well then, what’s the big deal?”
“I think we’re a little bit more than friends. I had my tongue inside of you last night. I literally know how you taste.”
The phone is silent on the other end.
“Hello, Juniper? Are you there?”
“I can’t believe you just said that, Rafe.”
“What?”
“That you … you know …”
“What? That I had my tongue inside of you?”
“You can’t just be blurting that out.”
“What? It’s true, isn’t it? You seemed to enjoy it.”
I smile as I think about how she cried out my name as her fingernails dug into my back.
“Yeah, well, it was just a moment of temporary insanity.”
“Okay. Is that what we’re calling it now?”
“Yes. Plus, I’m about to be on a reality dating TV show, so I can’t just be messing around with you on the side as well.”
I feel pissed at her comment. Absolutely pissed.
“Are you wearing a thong bikini?” I ask her because I can’t stop myself.
“Yeah, of course. I’m not a grandma. I’m not going to wear granny panties. I’m going to be on a reality TV show. It’s almost a requirement to wear a thong bikini.”
“Juniper …”
“Yes, Rafe?”
I realize I can’t tell her not to wear it. It’s her body. It’s her life. But I feel annoyed, just thinking about men looking at her.
“Is there something in particular you called me for, Rafe? Or can I go?”
“I don’t think this is a good idea. I don’t think you should be in this show.”
“What do you mean, you don’t think I should be in this show?”
“I think it’s not something that goes with your personality.”
“What? Dating hot guys and possibly winning two hundred thousand dollars?”
“So, it’s about the money?” I say.
“No, it’s not about the money, but the bookstore’s not doing that well, so I could definitely use the money.”
“Mia and I can help you.”
“Mia doesn’t have money, and you know that, Rafe.”
“Well, I can help you.”
“If I’m not taking money from Mia’s fiancé, we’re definitely not taking money from you. We’re going to do this by ourselves.”
“You want to be self-sufficient, yet you’re going to be on a reality dating TV show?”
“Yeah, because maybe it’ll be fun. Maybe I will meet a nice guy. Maybe.”
“Why do you keep going on about men? What about me?”
“What about you, Rafe?”
“Look, I’ve got to go. I am going to be late. We’re meant to be meeting down on the beach in, like, ten minutes.”
“So, last night was nothing to you?”
She’s silent again.
“Juniper,” I say, “I asked you a question.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Rafe. You came over. We got naked, and we fooled around. It’s not like you took me to Paris for a romantic evening under the Eiffel Tower with caviar and champagne. Anyway, I’ve got to go.”
She hangs up before I can even respond, and I stare at the phone in my hand. My heart’s racing.
“What the fuck?” I say, standing there.
But I realize I have to get back inside. I’m busy. There are a lot of animals waiting on me.
I stomp back inside and take a couple of deep breaths. I need my energy to be calm. If I’m angry or anxious, the animals will sense it, and I can’t allow that to happen.
I stare at my phone and think back to what Juniper said.
I didn’t take her to France for champagne and caviar. Was she expecting me to fly her across the world?
Is that what you have to do these days?
She couldn’t be expecting that, could she?
I head to the front, where I see Sarah, my longest-serving vet tech, standing there with some files in her hand.
“Oh, hey, Doc. We’ve got Ginger the tabby waiting for you in room two when you’re ready.”
“Can I ask you a question, Sarah?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“And you can tell me that it’s not appropriate, but do women expect to be taken to Paris if they’re dating someone?”
“I mean, I guess it depends how many dates you’ve been on and if it’s an engagement or something. I wouldn’t say it’s an absolute requirement. Why? Does your girlfriend want you to take her to Paris or something?”
Her eyes light up, and I can tell she’s delighted by the conversation.
Sarah loves to gossip, and I know she’s always wanted to know about my love life, which I keep under wraps because I definitely don’t believe in mixing personal with professional. But right now, I need some answers.
“She’s not my girlfriend, but I just got a feeling that she was expecting me to take her to Paris, and …”
“Oh, she’s not even your girlfriend?” She makes a face. “How many dates have you guys been on?”
I blink. “I guess none, but …”
“I’m confused. This girl’s not your girlfriend, and you’ve never been on any dates, and yet she wants you to take her to Paris?”
“What? I mean, she didn’t say she wanted me to take her to Paris. She just made a comment because maybe we kind of made out or whatever,” I say quickly. “And I kind of had an expectation that she wasn’t going to date any other guys.”
“But why would she not date other guys? You haven’t even taken her on a date.” She looks super confused. “I’m sorry, Doc, but what?”
“Fuck,” I say and then quickly cover my mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to swear.”
“It’s okay. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I think I’ve just been a dumbass,” I say, staring at her. “I just realized I’ve never even asked her on a date.”
“Yeah. I mean, if you like her, you should totally ask her on a date. You can’t expect someone not to date other men if you haven’t even asked them out.”
I nod slowly.
“You’re not dumb, Doc. You’re one of the smartest men I know.”
“Maybe when it comes to veterinary science,” I say with a smile. “But I’ve got a feeling when it comes to romance, I’m kind of slow. Thank you. This has been illuminating.”
“You’re welcome, Doc. Feel free to ask me any questions anytime.”
“I will, Sarah. I appreciate it.”
I walk to room two, my brain rapidly processing the conversation.
I was a fucking idiot.
I’d literally gone from barely speaking to Juniper, to teasing her, to being protective of her, to almost fucking her.
And I never even asked her on a date.
No wonder she is confused.
No wonder I am confused.
But now I don’t know what to do.
Can I ask her on a date?
She is about to be on a reality dating TV show.
How does that work?
Can she even date me?
“Hi, Doc.”
I look up and see old man Hammond sitting in the chair with his cat.
“Hi. Good to see you. So, what seems to be the problem today?”
I need to focus.
I can’t be thinking about Juniper while I’m at work, even though that’s all I want to think about.
I am losing my mind.
But I realize that if I am serious about Juniper, I am going to have to step up, just like Sage said.
I can’t allow my jealousy to ruin whatever friendship or relationship we have, especially if I am not willing to offer more.
The problem is, I don’t even know if Juniper would be interested in a date.
But I know that I still have to try because the last thing I want to do is lose her to some movie star, especially if I never even gave it my best shot.