Ready for You (Ready #3)(25)

We were greeted immediately by the sounds of barking, lots of barking. It filled my ears and left them ringing. We checked in at the front desk. Mia filled out some paperwork and answered some questions on what type of animal she was hoping to adopt. We were told to wait for someone who would be with us shortly.

About three minutes later, a man approached us and stuck out his hand in a friendly greeting. “Hi, I’m Leo. I’m one of the managers here. I hear someone is looking to adopt today,” he said with a grin that was all for Mia.

Leo was about our age, maybe a few years older. He was tall and lean and had that save-the-world attitude to him. I would bet he was a vegan and ran fifty miles a day.

“Yes, I live alone, and I wanted a little company,” she replied.

Leo looked over at me and back at Mia, obviously making up his mind that she was fair game. Then, he made his move. “Well, let’s see what we can do.” He glanced down at her paperwork. “Amelia, what a beautiful name,” he said.

I wanted to punch him. As he led us around and showed us several dogs, all I could think about was how close his hand was getting to her side or how much I wanted to dropkick him when he made her laugh.

“Oh my gosh, Garrett! Look at him!” she said, kneeling down to pet a golden retriever mix.

The dog instantly wagged his tail and nuzzled up to Mia.

“Sam is new to our facility. He’s young, probably only a year or two. It’s rare for us to keep retrievers in here for long even if they aren’t purebred. They’re a popular breed and very loyal,” Mr. Know-It-All said.

Mia looked up at me and smiled. The dog gave her a big lick, and she laughed. I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit.

“I think he likes you, Mia,” I said.

“Mia, that’s a lovely nickname,” Leo said.

“It’s my nickname,” I replied coldly.

Mia must have sensed the tension because she shot up from her crouch. “I think Sam is the one! Can you grab the rest of the adoption paperwork, Leo?” she asked as Leo and I continued to have a staring match.

“Sure. Be right back, Mia.” He grinned and turned to leave.

My hands fisted, and I fought back a growl.

“What the hell was that?” she asked.

“I don’t like him.”

“Well, that’s obvious. The question is, why?”

“He was flirting with you. He’s working, and he’s flirting with you. It’s very unprofessional.”

Her lip quivered as she tried to maintain a straight face. “You’re jealous,” she said.

It wasn’t a question.

“Am not,” I answered.

“Are to.”

“Am not. So, what if I am?”

Her grin widened, knowing she’d won the argument.

“I’m pretty sure the only male I’ll be cozying up to in the near future is the one right here.”

It was too bad she was pointing at the dog.

Lucky bastard.

Chapter Eight

~Mia~

“Do you want to help me unpack some of these boxes?” I asked, looking up from the enormous mess spread out in front of me on the floor.

Sam’s dopey brown eyes just stared at me blankly as he lifted an ear and cocked his head to the side. He did this a lot. I figured it was the doggie equivalent of, huh?

“You know, if you’re going to live here, you need to start pulling your weight.”

Sam wagged his tail and licked my fingers. He really was a sweet dog. When I’d asked what had brought him into the shelter, Leo had told me his owner was moving overseas and couldn’t take him. So, at least it sounded like he’d come from a good home before we found each other.

“Okay, but if you don’t help, there will be no treats later.”

I paused. I was carrying on a conversation with a dog. Had my life really come to this?

I gave Sam a long stare and eventually shrugged. “Eh. Oh, well.” I could do worse.

It was Monday night, and I’d just come home from a long shift at the hospital. Leah and I had shared the same work hours today, so we’d spent some time catching up after the weekend.

“So, did you have a good time on Saturday?” she asked.

“Um…well, it was interesting.”

“Interesting?” she repeated, obviously wanting me to delve deeper.

“I, uh…hadn’t expected Garrett to be there,” I answered honestly.

“Oh. Well, I hadn’t either. I hope you don’t think I was conspiring behind your back.”

“No, I don’t think you would do that.” She gave me a wry grin.

I amended my answer, “Okay, at least, I didn’t think that was your intention on Saturday.”

“Better. Never underestimate my evil powers, Mia, especially when it concerns two people I care about,” she said.

It made me feel special but also a little uneasy that she cared about me. I’d seen the way she looked at Garrett and me in that bar. She might not have put us together that night, but I had no doubt that she wouldn’t try in the near future.

I wished she would give up on that hope. I really liked Leah. She was fun, fearless, and loyal. I could see the devotion she had for her family and friends, and I was honored to be included in that small group, but I wasn’t the one for Garrett, not anymore.