Even if a harsh truth is wrapped up in the softest package, it still stings when it lands.
“I’m trying,” I told her. “It’s hard to let myself look at him and think ...what if.”
“I know, babe.”
“I don’t want to get hurt,” I whispered. “And I don’t want Gavin to get hurt either.”
Ness set her head on my shoulder.
One of Archer’s teammates was sprawled out on the floor, and Scout stood above him, wagging his tail. Ness and I paused our conversation,watching to see what would happen. The dog dropped his big head and nestled it into the guy’s neck, flopping onto his side for a full-body cuddle. The burly football player smiled, turning over to wrap his arm around Scout’s middle.
“I think this is my boy,” he said loudly. “You wanna go home with me, Scout?”
Scout’s tail smacked wildly on the floor, and he angled his head to lick him along his chin.
My eyes watered instantly. Ness sniffled.
I reached over to rub her back. “It never gets less cool, does it?”
“Nope.” She sighed, swiping at her cheeks. “Now you just need to convince Archer to adopt.”
I snorted. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen him touch one of the dogs. I’m not sure he wants a pet.”
Archer lifted his head as if he sensed me watching him, and through the glass window separating us, our gazes locked for a few breathless seconds.
“No, I’m not sure that’s what he wants either,” Ness added airily.
The tension in my body knotted around itself, over and over until an unbearable weight filled my stomach, but when Archer broke our eye contact to answer something one of his friends said, I could actually breathe again.
“Want to come in?” she asked.
I shook my head, glancing at the clock on the wall. “I have one more meeting. You can handle it.”
Ness nodded, reaching down to squeeze my hand before she pushed open the door into the larger room.
“Okay, boys, how many adoption applications should I bring in?”
Two hands shot into the air. Archer laughed, a dimple appearing in his cheek, and when that squirmy sensation shot from head to toe, a restless bolt of energy coursing through my body that could’ve powered the entire greater Buffalo area, I tucked my chin down to my chest and walked back into my office and tried to will it away.
An hour later, I was able to escape for a quick pee break. The meet and greet room was quiet, and disappointment swelled before I could stop it. I thought about doing my morning rounds through the kennel without Scout’s patient gaze and Daisy’s happy dance, and my throat felt tight at the fact that I didn’t get to say goodbye.
Rescue work was like this—a yo-yo of emotions you never quite got used to. Watching them go to their new homes was good, the outcome we’d been working toward for so long. But there was always, always a pinch when thinking about never seeing them again, and I didn’t want to lose that.
My entire body sagged, my forehead resting against the cool glass while I waited for the thick squeeze of tears to disappear. Before any could fall, the front door opened. I straightened, blowing out a quick breath.
I turned with a polite smile. “Can I help—”
It was Archer.
“Oh.” Mentally, I cursed the breathy sound of my voice.Get a grip, Remi. “I thought you’d have left by now.”
His chest expanded on a deep inhale. “I asked the guys to wait around until your meetings were done so you could say goodbye.”
My heart stopped, then kicked violently against my sternum when it jolted back into rhythm.
“Really?”
In an endearingly bashful display, he ducked his head down and pushed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “I know Scout’s your favorite, even if you wouldn’t admit it. You always give him extra treats when you walk through the kennels.”