Page 33 of Sawyer

It was my way of addressing him first, giving me a moment to gather my thoughts before diving into whatever conversation lay ahead.

Sawyer chuckled, following me as I carried Benny over to the grooming table, setting him up for his usual session.

But Sawyer kept glancing around the room, his gaze sharp and focused. I couldn’t help but notice how distracted he seemed. Something was clearly bothering him.

“Is Garth here or coming by later?” he finally asked.

I raised an eyebrow, not sure why he was suddenly bringing up Garth. “No, Garth’s not coming by.”

I’d already handled the rent a few days ago, sending a check in the mail just like I used to with Mrs. Hill. With that done, I figured I wouldn’t have to deal with Garth for a while.

Sawyer's eyes darted around. I could tell he was uneasy.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you looking for Garth? Shouldn’t you know where he is, being in the same pack and all?”

I meant it as a lighthearted jab, but Sawyer didn’t laugh. Instead, he shifted in his seat, looking a bit uncomfortable.

“Well,” he started, hesitating, “I heard that Garth might be coming by for... a date with you.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his words. Then the sheer absurdity of it hit me, and I burst out laughing—a little too loudly.

The idea of Garth and me going on a date? No way.

As the laughter died down, an uneasy silence settled between us. I caught a glimpse of Sawyer’s serious expression, and a twinge of guilt crept in as I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye.

“Sorry. It’s just... the idea of me and Garth going out? It’s ridiculous.” I gave him a more genuine smile, hoping to lighten the mood. But I hesitated, knowing I had something more serious to say.

“Actually, it’s you I wanted to see. There’s something I need to talk to you about.” I took a breath, my heart racing a little.

Sawyer’s curiosity deepened, though a hint of concern flickered in his eyes. “What is it?”

I told him about the town meeting, explaining everything. When I finished, I added, “I might have... volunteered you to come to the next one.”

Sawyer raised an eyebrow. “Volunteered me?”

“Yeah,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “I wasn’t really thinking clearly, and now I’m worried it could cause issues with your pack. I’m really sorry about that.”

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, his lips quirked into a grin. “How will you make it up to me?”

I blinked, completely caught off guard. I’d expected more questions about the meeting, maybe even some frustration. But instead, Sawyer seemed amused.

“I—uh, I’m not sure yet,” I stammered. “But I’ll figure something out. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

Sawyer’s grin widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Anything?”

A nervous laugh slipped out before I could stop it. “Yeah, sure, anything,” I replied, even though I wasn’t entirely sure what I was agreeing to.

Chapter 9

Casey

It was late; the shop was quiet except for the low hum of the overhead lights and the faint sound of running water from the grooming station.

I was at a counter, wiping down some stray fur, while Lisa leaned against the doorway, arms crossed and wearing a skeptical expression.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Why not? He’s doing me a favor, and I’m doing him one. That’s what friends do, right?"