Page 22 of Sawyer

“Yeah, Benny, I think we’re done for today. But don’t worry, there’ll be more walks—and maybe more kisses—in the future,” I told him.

As I headed back to my own car, I felt lighter than I had in a long time.

There was something special about Casey, something that made me feel like things were finally starting to look up.

Chapter 6

Casey

Itied a soft blue bow around the golden retriever’s collar, stepping back to admire my work. The dog’s tail wagged wildly, clearly pleased with itself.

I glanced over at my phone on the nearby table—still no new messages.

I sighed, trying to shake off the disappointment. Why did I even bother checking again? It had only been a few minutes.

Before I could get too wrapped up in my thoughts, Chris and Lisa’s voices cut through the silence.

“He’s probably thinking about that guy from the other day,” Chris said, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

“Who? Garth?” Lisa chimed in, her tone curious. “Didn’t you say he was an ass?”

I rolled my eyes. They were at it again.

With a baby on the way, you’d think they’d have more important things to focus on than playing detective.

But no, here they were, gossiping like high schoolers trying to pry more details about Sawyer out of me.

I finally had enough. “I’m not paying you to stand around and gossip with your wife, Chris,” I said sharply, crossing my arms.

Then, turning to Lisa, I added, “And you—if you’re going to hang around, you might as well grab an apron and help out.” I gestured toward the cabinet where we kept the spare uniforms.

They exchanged sheepish looks. I had just made it worse. I knew what was coming next.

“So, it’s the other guy,” Chris replied, ignoring what I said, that knowing grin on his face.

“Who?” Lisa asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Sawyer, that shifter he went out with the other day.” Chris’s grin faded slightly as he noticed Lisa’s frown.

I muttered a curse under my breath and turned away. I wasn’t ready to tell them about Sawyer yet.

And Garth? Why would I even think about him?

I’d already gotten an extension on the rent—problem solved. The last thing I wanted was for him to have any excuse to drop by the shop again.

Why couldn’t it be just like with Mrs. Hills? She only ever reached out when something important came up, or she’d drop by with a fruit crumble during the holidays.

Actually, scratch that—I didn’t want Garth showing up for the holidays at all. The thought of him turning up with a pie as some kind of excuse made me shudder.

Chris suddenly held up a flyer. “Hey, what’s this?” Chris asked.

Lisa leaned in. “Oh, you got one too?”

I snatched it out of his hand. I’d almost forgotten to mention the meeting. “Right, about that—I meant to tell you.”

Chris raised an eyebrow. “What’s it for?”

“Town meeting about shifters,” Lisa said, glancing at the flyer again. “We should go together if you’re going.”