Chapter Thirteen
Lila
Queasy from all the birthday cake I ate, I wander out on the back porch with Henry to look at the stars.
Another year gone by, another sad wish on the candles at my mom’s insistence. Another year of wondering when life is going to be what I thought it would.
Maren and Will have gone home, and Grandma Claire is snoring on the couch. Mom and Dad are watching Survivor on television now that the birthday bash is over—complete with caviar, thanks to Mom.
Here I am, alone, sitting on the porch watching the stars with just Henry to keep me company. There’s no hot birthday sex happening tonight. It’s just me in my frumpy sweatpants with a greasy ponytail and worries about where I’ll be sitting next year at this time.
Christopher called yesterday to see if I wanted to go out today. He, of course, has no idea it’s my birthday. How could he? We’ve only been out twice. Two dates. Two great times, one sweet kiss, and numerous calls.
It should be enough.
But inside, every time I talk to him, I know it’s not. There are no butterflies. There’s no spark. He’s a great guy, absolutely amazing, and he’s extremely good-looking. He could give me what I want—the steady life, the commitment, the houseful of kids. We’d have this magazine-worthy, snapshot life.
But there would be no butterflies. There would be no tingle when he touched my hand, no light in my eyes.
Biting my lip, I study the constellations I learned in high school, wondering if that spark’s forever gone.
Staring at the sky, I think of the first time I realized the spark was real, and that the butterflies of movies weren’t the thing of fantasies. I think back to the moment that ruined every other man for me, every other moment.
Nothing, nothing, could ever be as magical as that first time we met.
***
Standing in the hallway of Park Lane Animal Hospital with my freshly pressed white jacket, I could barely stand still. My shift didn’t start for fifteen minutes, but I could hardly wait. I’d been working for this moment for eight years—eight years of nose-in-the-books work, of spending every cent toward this education. I’d earned the title, I’d walked at graduation, and I’d earned my parents’ pride. I’d done it.
And now my future began.
I was a little nervous. I’d interned at Park Lane Animal Hospital and, in truth, knew it better than I knew anything. Still, the first official day as Dr. Morrow was intimidating. I wanted to do a good job.
“Ready for the patients to roll in?” Zoey asked. We’d been friends all through high school. She’d actually helped me get the internship here, knowing the Park family so well.
“I hope so.”
“I’ve learned you never know what’s going to come through these doors,” she said, smiling as she handed me a cup of coffee. “Here, you’ll need this. I’d suggest one-shoting it because who knows when you’ll get a chance after those doors open. Of course, you know that. Relax. It’s not really your first day here.”
“Well, I just hope everything goes smoothly.”
And that’s when it happened.
The pounding on the glass out front, the man standing in the rain, holding up a carrier and desperately yelling for help.
So much for having a few minutes until opening. My first job was happening, and it was happening now.
***
“I’d like to just keep him overnight,” I said, writing down notes in the chart, finally feeling like I could breathe.
I looked across the room at the curly-haired man; Luke Bowman, the chart said. He was slouching in the chair in the office, looking visibly relieved. I knew what he was feeling. I wiped some sweat from my sticky forehead.
It'd been touch and go for a few hours. The truck that hit Floyd had been merciless, smashing the poor cat’s back leg and almost killing him. Floyd was just lucky to have gotten away enough to save his life.
“Is he going to be okay?” the man asked, his voice smooth and intriguing. It was endearing to see him so worried about Floyd. I could tell from the moment he walked in that he genuinely cared about the fluffy gray cat, and it made me smile to see a man so open about his concern for a living creature. I could tell animal lovers from a mile away, was drawn to them. Maybe it was just that. Maybe it was the curly hair. Maybe it was the voice.
Regardless, I cleared my throat, trying to clear my head and the faint feel of warmth spreading to my cheeks.
“He’s going to be fine. You got him here just in time.”
“Thank God. That cat is such a pain in the ass. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love him. I’m glad he’s going to be okay.” He looked up at me now, and I met his eyes with mine.
The exhaustion from the surgical procedures and the stress of saving Floyd melted. “Thank you,” Luke said, and I could tell he meant it.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad things worked out. I’ll keep a close eye on him personally.”
“Are you working all night?” he asked, standing now from his chair.
“No. But I’m going to stay. I want to make sure he’s okay.”
“No one would expect you to do that,” he said, obviously feeling bad.
“Hey, Floyd’s special to me, too. He’s my first official patient.”
“Wait, you’re just out of vet school?”
“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
“I know that,” Luke said. “I wasn’t insinuating.… It’s just, you seem so knowledgeable. It seems like you’ve been doing this forever.”
I grinned, feeling playful. “Really? Do I look that old?”
Luke grimaced, covering his eyes with his hand. “I’m sorry. No. I’m just screwing this all up. What I mean is, thank you, and I’m glad Floyd came to such an amazing vet. You’re amazing, Dr. Morrow. Seriously.”
And for whatever reason, I decided to step away from the professional cover of the coat and say, “Call me Lila.”
“Lila. Thank you. Are you sure you’re okay with staying?”
“Positive. I’ll call you if there are any changes.”
“Okay, then. I’ll see you soon?”
“See you soon. Don’t worry.”
“I won’t. I know Floyd’s in the best hands.”
He paused a moment, lingering with his hand on the doorknob. I thought he might say something else, might continue the conversation. It felt weird having this… whatever this was… under the circumstances. Still, those eyes.…
“Lila! Porcupine incident in room four. We need you stat!” Zoey shouted.
I snapped back to work. “Duty calls. I’ll be in touch,” I shouted, rushing out of the room, glancing back at Luke Bowman one more time before carrying on with my day.
***
“Lila, don’t be crazy. Go home. It’s been a long day.” Zoey had her keys in her hand as she stood in front of me. I was perched on the sofa in the emergency holding room in the back, where Floyd was being kept. He was doing great, sleeping now after eating some food.
“I just want to make sure he’s okay. He’s really important to Luke.”
Zoey raised an eyebrow. “First-name basis, huh? Wait, this is the sexy curly-haired guy that pounded on the door this morning, right? Hell, honey, you’re right. Stay. Do anything to win that one over. He’s hot.”
“It’s not like that. It’s strictly professional.”
“Uh-huh. You tell yourself that. But listen, if you need anything, Dr. Benson is on call, and I’m just down the road.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“Okay, crazy. I’ll see you Wednesday then. Enjoy your day off tomorrow. You better be gone when I get here at ten in the morning.”
“I’ll try. I might still be sleeping.”
Zoey shook her head, mumbling something about psychosis before leaving. I cuddled under the scratchy throw someone had left after spending a night like mine, tucked in and ready to sit vigil over Floyd, thinking about the man who had rocked my first day at work.
A knocking on the front door startled me a few minutes later. Thinking Zoey had forgotten something and her key, I stretched, ambled out to the front, and paused at the sight of a familiar curly-haired man peeking in the window.
I opened the door. “Luke? What are you doing here?”
He handed me a coffee, holding one for himself. “I came to bring you coffee and to keep you company. That Floyd can be a difficult one. I thought I should come help you keep him under control.”
I smiled. “He’s been sleeping. He’s doing great, though.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Follow me, he’s back here.” I led Luke back down the hallway to where Floyd was, feeling a little self-conscious about my melted-off makeup and greasy hair. I aimlessly twirled my ponytail, feeling suddenly antsy.
I’m sure he just came to see Floyd, I told myself. Deep down, though, I wondered how many other customers would do this.
Luke visited with Floyd, the cat purring at the sight of him.
“I can tell you have a special bond,” I said. “Did you have him since he was a kitten?”
Luke nodded. “Found him when I was fifteen. He was just a tiny thing, abandoned. Let’s just say I sort of knew how he felt at the time. We had a bond right away. He drives me crazy sometimes, meowing all night and keeping me up, but I love the big guy. I’m so glad you saved him. Crazy Floyd got out and was wandering by the road this morning, I guess.”
“Floyd, next time you want to come see me, you don’t need to get hit to do it, okay, buddy? Just come for a checkup,” I said to the cat, reaching in the cage to pet him, my hand accidentally touching Luke. “Sorry,” I said, yanking my hand back and heading to the couch. “Do you want me to give you some time alone?”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t think Floyd’s too private of a cat. I’m pretty sure he’s okay with you hearing our conversation.” Luke grinned, and I suddenly felt like an idiot.
I sat on the couch, sipping my coffee. After a few more pets, Floyd put his head back down and Luke came to sit on the sofa beside me.
“So, are you from around here?” Luke asked.
I nodded. “We moved here my senior year from South Carolina. Dad’s job relocated him. It was the worst thing ever at the time, but now I’m glad. I love it here in Oakwood. How about you?”
“Born and raised. Never left this place.”
“What do you do for work?”
“Roofing. I sing on the side too.”
“Oh, that’s so cool,” I said, truly intrigued. I always loved the artsy types.
“Any pets?” Luke asked.
“Are you kidding? Every vet has to have pets, right? Here,” I said, reaching for my phone to show Luke the hundreds of pictures of Henry.
“That’s one awesome dog. I’d love to meet him sometime,” Luke said, and I felt my stomach flutter that familiar flutter I’d felt only once before junior year.
Junior year, though, it had ended with a tearful goodbye, a move states away, a promise to keep it going long-distance, and an eventual broken heart.
Sitting on the sofa with the curly-haired hunk who was a singer and an animal lover, I couldn’t help but wonder if this might just be different and if Luke’s desire to see Henry might turn into something more.
“I’d like that too.”
We spent the next few hours chatting about school, childhood memories, animals, and life. For those hours, it didn’t feel like Luke was some man I’d met less than twenty-four hours ago. It felt like he was someone I’d been meant to talk to my whole life, like the piece of me that was missing.
When we woke up in the morning to Floyd’s cries for food, I awkwardly stumbled to my feet. I’d been leaning on Luke’s shoulder, a wet spot on his shirt showing where my drooling mouth had been. I flushed with embarrassment.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. We must’ve fallen asleep. I’m so sorry,” I said, cupping my mouth in embarrassment.
Luke looked at his shirt, then at me, and started laughing. “It’s fine. Just a little drool, right, Doctor? Nothing you haven’t dealt with before.”
“I’m mortified.”
He shrugged. “Could be worse.”
“Not really. I just fell asleep on a patient’s owner’s shoulder and drooled on him. Not quite professional.”
“Well, there’s one solution for that.”
“What’s that?” I asked, rushing to get Floyd some food from the cupboard, mostly to busy my hands.
“Let’s not make this professional. Let’s make it personal. Go out with me tonight.”
I froze with a can of cat food in my hand. I turned to look at Luke, trying to avoid looking at the drool spot. “I don’t know. That’s not very professional. I mean, what would people think?”
“People can think what they want. Who cares. Go out with me.”
He took a step forward now, and I felt that familiar flutter. I wanted to say yes, to see where this feeling would take me.
But with the haze of the evening gone and the bright daylight streaming in, I realized this could lead me down another path to heartbreak. I didn’t know much about Luke, but I knew he seemed too good to be true. Those eyes were inviting, but they also said trouble.
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
“That means no.”
“It means I’ll think about it.”
“Dammit, Lila Morrow. Just go out with me.”
I sighed, shaking my head. “I can’t. But I think Floyd is okay to go home. Call me if anything changes.”
Luke stared, those eyes piercing into me. For a moment, he hesitated, as if he was going to push me further. “Okay. But you call me if anything changes on your end, okay?”
I smiled, shaking my head. “Okay, I will.”
I helped him get Floyd ready for the ride home, giving him medicines and instructions and things to watch for. As I walked him to the door and thanked him for the coffee, he turned around to me.
“Lila Morrow?”
“Yeah?”
“Just one more thing.”
He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I froze, shocked by his boldness. He pulled back so we were almost nose to nose, his eyes glinting in the sun’s rays floating through the door. “I don’t think this is over. I think you haven’t seen the last of me. I think we could be good for each other.”
I sighed again, the fluttering intense now. “Well, for starters, that was more than just one thing, FYI.”
He shook his head now. “I’ll see you soon, soul mate.”
“Soul mate? Really? Don’t you think it’s a little soon?” I said, unable to stop the smile from spreading on my face.
“Nope. Not at all. Come on, Floyd. Let’s get out of here before Dr. Morrow makes a move. We’re not ready for marriage yet, you know.”
“You’re unbelievable.” I was flabbergasted by his confidence, more accurately labeled as arrogance. From his smirk to the way he walked out of there, it seemed like Luke Bowman knew I would be his.
Which was both frustrating and surprisingly intriguing.
“Well, thank you,” he said, whistling as he walked to his pickup truck, loaded Floyd, and drove out of the parking lot, leaving me to stand and wonder what the hell kind of trouble I’d gotten into.
***
“Maren, this is a terrible idea. I have no rhythm,” I whined, yanking down my hot pink exercise top and feeling completely out of place. I had no idea why I’d let her talk me into it.
“Come on. Zumba’s great. Plus, that guy I’ve been telling you about works out here, so come on. Just go with it.”
“Wait, that Will guy?”
“Yes, idiot. Hence the hour it took me to get ready for Zumba. Didn’t you think the eye makeup was a little over the top?”
“Still do. But I don’t see what your obsession has to do with me.”
“Because I need a Zumba buddy. Only creepos come alone. I don’t want Will thinking I’m a creepo.”
“That seems like seriously flawed logic,” I said.
“Okay, doctor lady. You get that white jacket and you think you know everything,” Maren said, rolling her eyes but grinning.
I shoved her into the wall, and we started yelling and pinching each other like the preteens we still were when together. After we’d settled down, I turned to the right, eyeing the muscular guys on the machinery, taking a peek.
And then I froze, putting a hand on Maren’s arm. “Oh, shit. Are you serious?” I asked, seeing the familiar curls.
He was in a T-shirt and shorts, but even from here, I could appreciate his amazing biceps at work. My heart started to beat faster.
“What?”
“It’s him. That guy from the other day. You know, the whole Floyd thing?”
“Oh, Lila, he’s gorgeous. Go get him.” Maren let out what I thought was supposed to be a Latin growl, but sounded more like a cough.
“No. I can’t. He’s crazy. Super bold. He’s trouble.”
“Trouble is what you need,” she hissed. “You’re so boring. He could liven you up. Now go talk to him.”
“Not in this outfit.”
“Absolutely in that outfit. Now go, or I will.”
“I thought you were here for Will,” I observed, staring at my crazy sister.
“I am. But if you let that fine man go to waste, I’ll just have to move in on both.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I said. “But fine. And besides, there’s Will. Go make eyes at him,” I said, rolling my eyes now. We pinched each other one more time before heading off in separate directions. So much for using the gym to get fit.
“Are you following me?” I asked, pretending to sound angry. Luke looked up, smiling instantly at the sight of me, which made me feel even more fluttery.
“Looks like you’re following me. I’ve been going here for years. You?”
“Um, just today,” I admitted, shrugging. “How’s Floyd?”
“Good, thanks to a gorgeous new vet. He’s all better. But he could probably use a house call just to make sure.”
“I think he’ll be fine, but he’s welcome to stop by during office hours for a professional visit,” I replied, putting emphasis on the word “professional.”
Luke stepped away from the weight machine, coming closer. “Now that I think about it, Floyd actually is feeling a little sad. You see, he’s super thankful you saved him, and he feels bad you didn’t get a proper thank-you. He was really hoping I would take you out for a fancy dinner, just as a thanks. Professional, of course.”
“Do you know how creepy you sound talking about your cat like that? People are going to worry.”
“Let them worry. I only care what one person in this room thinks, and I’m looking at her.”
“You don’t even really know me.”
“So let me.” His eyes never left mine, his words piercing me. This man just strolled into my life, and now he just stood in it like he belonged there. It was unsettling. But it was also sexy.
“You’re so confident.”
“No, I’m just sure. Sure you and I could be good together.”
“And how could you possibly know that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, grinding the toe of one of my sneakers into the weird foamy material on the floor.
He shrugged. “Because I just met you, and I already can’t stop thinking about you. Come on, just go to dinner with me. Just one dinner. If you think I’m creepy or you don’t feel it too, you can bail. Floyd and I will find another vet, and you won’t ever have to see me again.”
I sighed. “You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been told that a time or two.”
“But okay.”
“Wait, okay? Like, yes?”
“Like yes. But only for Floyd.” I couldn’t fight the grin forming on my face, and I couldn’t stop the feeling in my veins I got when he stared at me.
“I’ll take it. Okay. Here, put your number in. I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow?” he asked, his grin spreading as he handed me his cell phone.
“Oh, she’ll be waiting,” Maren said, putting an arm around my shoulder. “She hasn’t stopped talking about you since you met. Don’t let her cold exterior fool you. She’s crazy about you.”
“Maren, shut up,” I said, mortified, but Luke just smiled even wider as I handed back the phone with my number in it.
“See, I knew it. See you tomorrow,” he said, going back to his weight machine like he hadn’t just sealed our date and potentially our life.
“I’m going to kill you,” I whispered to Maren.
“No, you won’t. Because I’m going to tell this whole story so adorably at your wedding, as maid of honor of course.”
“How’s Will, in other news?” I asked as we headed to Zumba, the music already blaring from the group room as the warm-up started.
“Good. We’re going out on Friday.”
“Well, you sealed that deal quickly.”
“Are you surprised? Who can resist my charm? Besides, when you know, you know.”
I wished at that moment I could be more like Maren, so open to the whims of life, so willing to accept with confidence what I felt.
We strolled into Zumba class, though, trying to avoid the in-sync women who looked like they were professional dancers and getting way too many glares from them as we maneuvered through the crowd to the back.
“Class starts at five o’clock. Be on time,” the little blonde instructor shouted, clearly directing her words at us.
“Sorry, we were too busy finding the loves of our lives while you bitches were line dancing,” Maren shouted.
I froze, already mortified but now over the top. “Maren, you can’t say that.”
“I just did,” she said, jumping in line, ignoring the glares as she painted on a fake cheerleader smile and started sashaying to the beat while I fumbled in the corner to try and stay in step.
“Good thing we lined up our dates because I think we might be banned from the gym after this.”
“Whatever. Zumba is overrated anyway,” Maren said way too loudly over the Latin beat of the music, shimmying her hips offbeat but with confidence.
“You dragged me here.”
“Yeah, to get a date lined up. You didn’t really think I was into exercising, did you?”
For the next hour, we giggled as we were off-step more than we were on, sweating up a storm and looking nothing like dancers as the other women in the class. By the end, I was pretty sure I’d pulled an ass muscle, and Maren had fallen to the floor, once because of an untied shoelace and once out of laughter at me.
“What a story for the wedding,” I said. “You might have to clean up your toast a little bit.”
“No way. I’m including Zumba bitches, word for word, in it.”
I shook my head as we giggled the whole way out of the gym, feeling giddy from the endorphins, the ridiculous jokes we made during class, and most of all, the possibility of love we both found.
***
Tossing my hair into a ponytail as I zoom through the door of Park Lane, I’m barely able to breathe. I have two minutes to spare until I’m officially on the clock, but patients are already lined up in the waiting room. Staying up thinking about all those memories last night was both masochistic and stupid.
I fly around the woofing dogs and cages of hamsters, birds, and Herbert the snake to get behind the counter and toward the offices.
“Here,” Zoey says, practically shoving a cup of coffee into my hands.
“Thanks. Sorry I’m running so late.”
“No worries. Calm down. You have a minute. Gosh, your hair is all over the place,” she says, eyeing me.
I shrug. “Who cares.”
“You will in a minute when you see our new intern,” Zoey says, winking.
“Why?”
“Because he’s freaking gorgeous with a capital G. Seriously. Go and fix that messy ponytail. Oh, hell, who am I kidding. You’re perfect, crazy hair or not.”
“Slow down, matchmaker. We work together. It’ll be strictly professional.”
“Yeah, okay. See all these women in the waiting room drooling worse than their dogs? It’s because he walked through a minute ago. He’s amazing.”
“I have to get back there.”
“Uh-huh. Exactly.”
I take a swig of my coffee, which is piping hot, almost choke on it, and then head down the hallway.
I walk past the room where I met Luke, brushing it off in the flurry of activity already happening. I don’t have time to reminisce.
“Hey, you must be Dr. Lila Morrow?” a warm voice says. I turn around and am face-to-face with the intern.
I take a breath, trying not to exhale my nasty coffee breath into the new guy’s face since we are very, very close.
My heart flutters. Dammit, Zoey wasn’t kidding. I nibble on my lip so I don’t risk my jaw dropping.
He is more than gorgeous with a capital G. He’s gorgeous with a capital everything.
Dimples on the cheeks, strong body, tall, and tanned. He’s got a day’s worth of dark stubble, just the way I like it, and spiky hair—what Zoey and I call Edward Cullen hair. He looks much, much better, though, than a sparkly vampire ever could—and I was always team Edward, so that’s saying something.
“I’m Oliver Waynesboro. First day, and man, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.”
He flashes me perfect teeth. This guy might be nervous, but I bet I’m more nervous than him. He extends his hand to shake mine, and I hesitantly oblige, afraid there might be sparks when we touch.
There aren’t, but his hand covers mine, and I smile. “I’m Lila Morrow.”
“Yeah, I know. Zoey’s been talking all about you from the second I got here. Told me you’re newly single, too.”
I blush and laugh way too much. It’s my nervous laugh, the one I think is atrociously annoying.
“Well, patients will be rolling in. Don’t want them to have to wait too long. Let me know if you need anything,” I say, feeling the need to escape.
“Oh, I thought Dr. Jones told you. I’m paired with you all morning, you know, so I can learn the ropes. You’re not getting rid of me anytime soon, Dr. Morrow.”
“Oh, wonderful. Paired with you will be perfect,” I say, and then inwardly groan. Oh my God, I’m like a smitten fourteen-year-old around this guy. I can actually feel my palms sweating. How the hell am I going to keep my cool all morning?
Before I have time to think too much, Zoey is announcing our first patient.
“Guess we better get to it, then,” I say, reminding myself to be professional.
“Can’t wait,” he says, winking at me, practically sending me into a tailspin, and then following me into the room.
And by the room, I mean the room. The room that started it all with Luke. How’s that for a slap in the face from the universe?