Page 88 of The Quirky Vet

I smile. "She actually took it well. Surprisingly."

"Very surprisingly."

I lock eyes with him. "What did she say to you when she was leaving?"

"Ah, so you saw that."

"I did."

"Prepare yourself for another surprise."

"Now I'm scared."

He squeezes my hand tighter. "She said, 'Love him the way he deserves to be loved.'"

"Holy shit," I mutter, stunned.

"She's seen us a few times today," Fitz explains. "I think she could tell something was going on."

"Right."

A sudden, overwhelming tiredness sweeps through me, knocking the energy right out of my body. The stress and tensionand grief all catch up to me, and I let out a massive yawn, not reacting fast enough to cover my mouth.

"Come on. Let's go home," Fitz says before catching himself. "I mean, go back to your place."

I get up.

I'm tempted to say he was right the first time, that Gramps's house is our home. Not because of who owns the place but because of who belongs there.

Me and him.

But I save the words for a better, happier moment.

I don't know when it happened, but sometime over these past few months, my friendship love with a side of confusing crush has turned into full-on love for this man.

I'm in love with Fitz, and as he slides his hand into mine and we duck out through a side exit, I'm more sure of that than I've ever been of anything in my life.

18

Fitz

Over the next few weeks, life goes on, and things slowly return to a new normal.

Muir is back at work. He's still grieving the loss of Sid, and I suspect he will for a long time to come. Those two were close, more like father and son than grandfather and grandson. It's a huge loss.

At least his mum seems to have finally grown a conscience and is sticking true to what she told him the day of the funeral and isn't contesting the will. I'm glad. That would have only added drama when that's the last thing he needs right now.

And I'm there for him, every day, however he needs me.

"Hey, good luck with the root canal. I know you're looking forward to it," he says as he approaches from the opposite end of the hallway.

"Guilty as charged," I admit since I am and will always be a vet geek with a thing for dentistry. "We'll catch up later, yeah?"

"For sure."

Even though I'm needed in the theatre, like, now, I pull Muir in by his shirt and give him a brief kiss on the lips.

"What was that for?" he asks, smiling.