by Kelly Moran
Amusement curved his lips. “That was a terrible impression of me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll work on it.” Rising, she called for Hailey. “In the meantime, talk to Zoe. Keep the video. It’s yours.”
He waited until she got to the door before he said her name. “Zoe and I might kill each other. Did you ever think of that?”
“It crossed my mind.”
After Avery and Hailey left, he paced his living room, trying to figure out what the hell to do. If Zoe had feelings for him, he had to figure out what had been holding her back. They would never get anywhere speculating. Hell, half the time they were engaged in conversation he was confused. Toss this into the pile and he’d need a straightjacket.
Once Catherine was settled into rehab and things died down, he’d have a chat with Zoe. Even if he had to hog tie her to accomplish it.
Until then, he’d shower and head back to the hospital.
Chapter 9
Near the end of her workday, Zoe straddled Fraser into submission on a grooming table while she clipped the last of the Jack Russell Terrier’s nails. He squirmed and yelped like she was torturing him medieval style, and she blew a strand of purple hair out of her eyes. At least he wasn’t a biter.
“You’re okay, baby. This doesn’t hurt, does it?”
With Mama settled into rehab, Zoe had found time to dye the pink out of her hair and switch to purple. Normally, she didn’t go that long between color changes, but things had been busy lately. Two nights alone at Mama’s house, and Zoe hadn’t known what to do with herself. She was thinking about repainting just to keep busy. The place could use a spruce.
Finished with the nail trim, she climbed off the table and praised the dog, even though he’d behaved like a chickenshit. Nothing she wasn’t used to, though. She gave him a treat and snapped on his leash, then headed for the waiting room, thinking about what she’d do tonight. Maybe she’d finally head to the craft store and buy some acrylic tubes and canvases. It had been so long since she’d had time to paint her supplies were dried out. Then again, a bottle of wine and a bath sounded more relaxing.
Guilt shifted her stomach. She shouldn’t be doing anything fun or relaxing. Mama was held up with a broken leg and not allowed to come home, all because Zoe had gone out with her friends. Logically, she knew it was just an accident and could’ve happened regardless of whether she’d been home or not. But still. She didn’t deserve the measure of relief that she finally had some time to herself. What kind of person did that make her?
Once she made it down the hall, Zoe found Brent and Avery behind the reception desk, deep in conversation with the Battleaxes. Her client’s owner, Jennifer Karis, had Drake pinned in a far corner by the printer, playing cozy-up-to-the-vet and batting her eyelashes like a distressed southern belle. Cade, Flynn, and Drake must have finished with patients because the waiting room was empty.
Jennifer flipped her bottle-blonde locks over her shoulder. “I brought you cookies. I made them myself.” She skimmed her fingernail across Drake’s chest.
Oh, please.
Drake, his expression somewhere between a scowl and panic, cleared his throat. “Thank you.”
Why was no one helping Drake escape the woman’s clutches? Poor guy probably had no clue how to disarm flirtation and still use his chivalry card. It was a given that females would flock to Drake now that word was out he was dating again, plus his brothers were unavailable now. Perhaps the Battleaxes were distracting Avery and Brent on purpose. Zoe wouldn’t put it past them.
Squawk. “Hell’s bells.”
Zoe glanced at the clinic bird and rolled her eyes at the idiot blonde. “You got that right, Gossip. Jennifer, grow some self respect. Move away from the vet and I won’t tell your boyfriend about this. And buy a pair of shorts that cover your ass.”
She handed the leash to the woman, earning a sigh of relief from Drake. He rubbed his forehead and stepped closer to Avery’s chair, snatching a chart.
Jennifer issued a sound of disgust and a very unladylike huff. “How rude. I was just making small talk. If this is how you treat us, I won’t bring Fraser to you anymore.”
“Promise?” Zoe shrugged after the woman stormed out. “Something I said?”
Brent raised his brows.
“Whatever. Once she figures out she’ll have to cut her own dog’s nails and bathe him, she’ll be back.” The dog, Zoe could handle. The owner, not so much.
“Christ, she was relentless.” Drake nodded at her, a silent thank you in his eyes.
“Zoe.” Avery flashed a praise-Jesus smile. “Look who came by to see you.” She gestured at Drake’s two aunts and mother, Avery’s wide-eyed expression hinting Zoe should run while there was still ample opportunity.
Damn. She’d been hoping they were here to hit up Avery for something event-related, since she headed the committee. The Battleaxes only came by for two reasons—to rope someone into doing something or to play matchmaker.
Zoe eyed the plates of goodies on the desk, no doubt brought in by female clients because it was Drake’s non-surgery day. Meaning, he’d done regular clinic and women had booked fake appointments. Her shoulders tensed as she stared down the meddling women, and she suddenly understood where the rumor about Drake being back on the dating circuit had originated.
Marie, the eldest aunt and Redwood Ridge’s mayor, stepped forward. “Zoe, dear, we wanted to discuss next week’s Fourth of July parade with you.” She smoothed her dark brown bob as if it were awry and straightened the lapels of her blue power suit. “You walk for your grooming business every year behind the Animal Instincts float. We were wondering if it would be okay if you were positioned behind the fire trucks instead. You know, dogs and firemen go hand-in-hand.”
Nuh-uh. The Battleaxes didn’t ask permission. They just acted. Which meant that was not why they were here.
“That’s fine.” Then a thought crossed her mind. Zoe picked five dogs to showcase in the parade every year. They wore banners for the business. She looked at Brent. “Mama always does the parade with me. If the rehab place lets me take her out, could you push her wheelchair? I need a guy around in case she gets too confused. Plus, I can’t hold leashes at the same time.” Mama did better with men than women, and she loved Brent.
“Well,” Marie said slowly. “Brent’s helping me with something else, so he’s unavailable. Drake could do it, though. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind walking in the parade.”
“Oh God,” Avery whispered, dropping her forehead in her hands.
Zoe’s back stiffened and the hairs on her neck rose with Spidey-sense. Yes, he would mind. He didn’t like crowds, never mind being the center of attention. He was just starting to get out of the house again, finally rejoining society.
Drake glanced up from a chart, his distracted gaze darting around the group. “Count me in. Cat’s used to me. I can handle it.”
Zoe blinked in shock. She looked at Avery, whose expression was firmly in the what-planet-am-I-on column under the subheading of say-what.
And, with finality, it hit Zoe just what the hell was going on. She’d suspected, but this confirmed it. Her gut sank and her heart stopped. Since Brent’s gaze was everywhere except meeting Zoe’s, and he’d aided the Battleaxes in matchmaking before, she zeroed in on her diversion.
“You know, Brent’s still single. Perhaps you ladies can find a guy for him.”
Hand on his chest, eyes bugged, he wheezed an exaggerated gasp. “Firecracker, I thought we were besties.”
Pfft. He shouldn’t have gone into cahoots with the Battleaxes then. “Miles at the rec center is single.”
Rosa narrowed her eyes in thought, then nodded. “He’s a handsome devil. There’s potential there.”
Hands on his hips, Brent stomped his foot like a petulant child. “Miles is not gay, and I’m not looking to be set up.”
&n
bsp; “He is too gay,” Avery and Zoe said at the same time.
Avery laughed. “I would know. Hailey’s with him every day after school. Your gaydar must be broken.”
He pursed his lips, eyes glazing. “Interesting. I shall investigate this matter.” Snapping out of his dazed daydream, he shook his head. “Anyway, we were discussing Zoe.”
“Yes, we were.” Marie clapped her hands. “Drake will walk in the parade with you, dear. You two should get together tonight to discuss the details. Maybe over dinner.”
No. God. No, no, no. This was an all-time low, even for them. Zoe’s throat tightened and her eyes burned. Her face heated to scalding.
Avery quietly cleared her throat and nervously faced Drake. “I think you should go do charts in your office.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Trust me.” Her pointed stare should’ve been answer enough.
“That’s ridiculous.” Rosa waved off the comment. “We’re only suggesting—”
“Enough!” Zoe took a deep breath and a slow blink to calm down before she went postal. “I know what you’re doing, what you’re up to, and this is going too far.” Hands shaking, she pointed to Drake. “Hasn’t he been through enough? Haven’t I?” Her voice cracked, damn it. She looked at Gayle’s guilt-laden face. “If you care about me at all, you’ll stop this charade now.”
Drake’s confused expression shifted from Zoe to Avery and back again. “I’m not following.”
Tears threatening, Zoe turned on her heel and strode around the desk.
“Hey,” he murmured. Gently, he grabbed her arm, concern wrinkling his brow.
Mortified, she shrugged him off, went down the hall, and slammed her grooming door closed.
She placed her palms on her desk and leaned into them, unable to catch her breath. Dropping her chin, she focused on air exchange. She would not, absolutely would not, cry at work. Especially not over the Battleaxes and their shenanigans. Hopefully, she’d cut them off at the pass and they’d move on to torture someone else.
The door opened and closed behind her. The footsteps were too quiet to be Drake’s.
Avery put her arm around Zoe’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Zoe plopped in her desk chair. “No. They have no right messing with him like that.”
Nodding, Avery pulled a folding chair over and sat. “Nor you. They mean well, though.”
“I really don’t care how good their intentions are. Some things are too tenuous to mess with. And of all people, why me? They’re freaking nuts, the whole lot of them.”
Avery simply stared at her, not saying anything for the longest time. With care, her kind gaze took in Zoe’s expression for so long she squirmed in her seat. “Why not you? Don’t you deserve someone, too?”
Slumping, Zoe sighed. “Not you, too. Come on.”
“I’m serious.” When Zoe said nothing, Avery shook her head, her too-clever gaze all knowing. “How long have you had a thing for him?”
“Since I was sixteen.” Crap. She shouldn’t have admitted that.
Avery’s lips parted in shock. “Oh, Zoe. For that long?”
Closing her eyes, she staved the mortification and breathed through the tightness in her chest. She’d never told anyone about this, but perhaps it was time. What she’d been doing to cope wasn’t working.
Biting her thumbnail, she stared at her desk. “When we were seventeen, I was going to ask him to a dance, but Heather got to him first. Before you freak out—no, she didn’t know about my feelings. He never would’ve picked me anyway, so there was no sense in mentioning it. Heather would’ve reneged on principle alone. She deserved him. I backed off.” She rubbed her forehead. “I got over it, over him. Then, about a year after she died, my feelings started coming back.”
A wrinkle formed between Avery’s brows. “There’s so much wrong with that statement I don’t know where to start. You never struck me as someone with confidence issues.”
Well, Zoe could put up a heck of a front when she had to. Truly, the only time she’d ever done the pity thing had been where Drake was concerned. Even then, she’d pretended it didn’t matter.
“Nevertheless, you’re both free now, Zoe. Why not go for it?”
“Are you insane? Besides my mother and friends, Heather was the person I loved most in this world. We were more like sisters. I would never betray her that way.”
“But what if it’s not a betrayal?” Avery pressed her lips together. “After everything I’ve heard about her, Heather wouldn’t stand in your way.” When Zoe started to argue, Avery shook her head. “She’s gone, and if she had known how you felt, do you think she would’ve asked him out all those years ago? No. And, wherever she is now, she wouldn’t fault you for moving on and seeking happiness.”
With a half laugh, Zoe stared at her friend and let her words sink in. “It’s uncanny. You’re a lot like her, actually. She would’ve loved you.”
Avery smiled. “Cade said that once, too, back when we first started dating.” She straightened in her seat. “And if that’s true, then you know I’m right.”
Throwing her head back, Zoe chuckled dryly and stared at the ceiling. “Points for you.” She sighed. “There’s other obstacles, as well. It’s a lost cause, Avery. Thank you, though. You should head home.”
Avery checked her watch. “Brent said he’d lock up. I’ve got to pick up Hailey.”
“Go. I think I’m going to stay and put the supply order away.” The house was too quiet without Mama, and Zoe had already visited her at lunch. Too much and her mom got over-stimulated and antsy. The Pine Crest staff had suggested once a day visits.
“Um…” Avery’s hesitant gaze met hers with a weak smile. “Are you sure? I can do it tomorrow.”
Realization clicked, and Zoe grinned. Avery, as their office manager, was an organizational Nazi who had a strict method and order to things. “I promise to check off items on your inventory list and stock them according to your labeled shelf system.”
“You’re making fun of me.”
“Totally. Get your anal-retentive ass out of here or I’ll switch your color-coding around.”
Avery’s eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
“Fine.” Avery rose and gave her a one-armed hug. “I meant what I said, though. Think about it. And, also… The Battleaxes haven’t exactly been wrong about these things. Besides Cade and I, or Gabby and Flynn, they’ve set up several other couples in town.”
Curses. “I’m already mentally switching out your red biohazard labels for the green sterile medical equipment. Oh, and the yellow office supplies for—”
“Okay, okay.” Avery rushed for the door. “No need to give me nightmares.”
Zoe sat for a few moments in silence before heading toward reception and Avery’s desk. Better to stay busy than idle. Brent had, in fact, locked up, and the only lights on were the security ones. Gossip’s cage was covered and the clinic animals were in the boarding room. A quick glance down the hall showed all the doctor office doors were closed.
Nothing for Zoe to do but inventory. She stacked the delivery boxes waiting by Avery’s desk and dragged them to the storage closet in three loads. Setting a box in front of the supply room door so it wouldn’t close, she flicked on the light. Approximately ten-by-ten, the room was wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling shelves. Good thing she wasn’t claustrophobic.
An hour later, she was on the second to last load. It was too late to hit the craft store, but tomorrow was another day. Chances were, she’d lost her artistic ability after not using it, anyway. She’d have to do several trial runs of a painting to re-hone her craft. Grabbing a bottle of peroxide, she rose on her tiptoes on the stepstool and stretched to set it on the top shelf.
“Need help?”
Screaming at the deep male voice, she whirled aro
und, lost her balance, and pitched toward the floor.
Drake’s arm wrapped around her waist before she could fall. He hauled her against his wall of chest as her heart pounded from the near fatal scare. The scent of warm male pressed against her face and, without thinking, she fisted his black scrub shirt and caught her breath.
Fight or flight reflex kicked in and she eased away, patting her chest. “Thanks for the heart attack. I thought everyone had gone home.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in what could be mistaken for a smile. The other side quirked and…nope. False alarm. He frowned. “You shouldn’t be in the clinic by yourself. Anything could happen and you’d be alone.”
“Look, doc. We’re locked tight and the security alarm is on. I’m perfectly capable—”
Oh, crap. In his other arm was the box she’d used to pry the door open. No, no, no. Her gaze flew to the only exit. Which was closed. With a growl, she tilted her face heavenward. Someone up there really hated her.
“What’s your problem?”
She strode around him and turned the knob. Nope. “Please, please tell me Cade or Gabby or Brent or Avery or an armed robber are still here somewhere.” She’d include Flynn in that mix, but he wouldn’t hear her frantic pounding if she tried that route. Whimpering, she pressed her forehead and palms to the door.
“Everyone went home. I finished dictation in my office and was heading out when I saw the closet light.”
Moaning, she spun around and slid to the floor in a heap. “Karma really is a bitch.” This was what she got for lusting after her best friend’s man, even if said friend was dead and said man in question had been giving Zoe swoony eyes first.
“What’s with the dramatics?”
She eyed him balefully. “The automatic locking mechanism has been acting wonky. Avery has someone coming in to fix it next week.”