Page 16 of Happily Evan After

But then something occurs to me. If Dimples is Dr. Olsen, Saddle Creek’s small animal veterinarian, then that must mean she lives here.

Surely that’s a sign. It’s gotta mean that we’re meant to be. How could it not mean that?

Had the hottest, best night of my life with the woman, and I haven’t stopped thinking about her since. We belong together. This is proof.

I drive out to my place. Well, technically, it’s not mine; it’s my temporary dwelling. Dane has a tiny home he built that is so cool. Since he and Shelby built a house together, he’s not living there, so we’re currently using the downstairs space as Great Dane’s Dog Sanctuary’s main office. But that left the loft bedroom available.

We’ve got a nice working setup outside of the tiny house, too. That’s where I find Romeo when I pull my truck up.

“Thank fuck you’re here,” I say as I get out of the vehicle.

He looks up from whatever he’s whittling. His brows raise.

“What’s going on, Kid?” he asks.

“I’m going to give you a quick history. A few months ago, I met a gorgeous woman and we spent one amazing night together. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since, but we didn’t exchange names. So there’s been no way for me to find her. Well, guess what?”

“You found her?” he asks, drolly.

“She’s the vet.”

“The one you were complaining about earlier?”

“Yes. It was bothering me that she didn’t seem to like me, considering we hadn’t met in person. So I drove over to her clinic this afternoon, and there she was.” I frown.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if she recognized me or not. She said something about not being able to do something and then ran out the back door.”

“Sounds like she might have recognized you,” my buddy says.

“You think?” I wipe a hand down my face. “I don’t know. Regardless, doesn’t it seem like it’s a sign that we’re meant to be, that we both live in the same small town?”

“I’m not one for signs and fate and all that,” Romeo says. “But if you like this woman, then I say go for it. Ask her out. What’s the worst that could happen?”

chapter

eight

Marley

What is happening right now?

Well, first of all, I’m driving aimlessly. I just knew I needed to get out of there fast. I pull over on the side of the road and grab my phone.

I call Lana because she’s the only one who knows about him. The hot guy from the bar. My “Rick” for the night. But her phone rolls straight to voicemail. She’s probably working. I could drive there, but Crescent Bend is nearly two hours away.

Still, I need to talk to someone, so I push to call the one woman I’ve sort of bonded with since moving here. It’s never been easy for me to make friends, and Shelby seems not to find me overwhelming or annoying. Or if she does, she hides it well.

“Hey, lady!” she says cheerfully when she answers.

“Hi. Quick question.”

“Shoot.”

“Are we good enough friends for me to have a total breakdown in front of you?”

“I’m pulling the ice cream out of the freezer as we speak. Come on over.”