Page 90 of The Quirky Vet

"That's a blatant deflection, but I'll allow it." I smile. "And yes, I am."

"How are things with you and Muir?"

"Good, despite how tough it's been for him since Sid's passing. It's put some things on hold"—like progress on the physical front—"but in a funny way, it's brought us even closer."

"How so?"

"You know, emotionally. Going through something like this together is full-on, but I hope I've done a good job of being there for him."

"I'm sure you have, and I'm sure he appreciates it."

"Oh, I know he does. He tells me all the time."

That makes Linus smile. "Good. I'm glad one of us knows what their future holds."

"I wouldn't go that far."

Or maybe I would?

In my heart, I'm planning out a forever together. I just need to get my butt into gear and make it happen. But again, timing. Muir is grieving, so I'm waiting for him to give me a sign he's ready before I do what I'm dying to do.

Linus's phone buzzes from inside the top drawer.

"That's my cue to leave," I say, getting up. "Are you going to look at your phone?" I ask when he doesn't move.

"Yeah." He runs a hand through his hair. "I guess I will."

"Good luck, and keep me posted."

"Thanks, mate."

Before leaving, I glance back—Linus is flailing around for that phone like a cat chasing a laser pointer.

"It's such a nice temperature," I observe as Muir and I take Tilly for a walk after work.

"Winters in the outback are the best," he agrees with a smile.

"They sure are."

It's dusk and the air is starting to cool, but we're still okay wearing shorts and long-sleeved T-shirts.

We get back home, and I feed Tilly her meal for the evening. Like clockwork, the second she's done, she goes outside to do her business.

Muir enters the kitchen, freshly showered, wearing what's become my favourite fixture of his winter wardrobe—grey sweatpants…with the ultimate accessory: no undies.

He comes over and slides his hands around my waist. "Hey."

"Hey."

We kiss, and it's soft and tender and feels so fucking natural it makes me think we were worrying about nothing. There's no way any of what we've been doing these past five or so months could ever ruin our friendship. If anything, it can only make it better.

Tilly races in through the doggy door Muir's put in, and I pull back slightly. "I seem to have unofficially moved in," I say since Tilly and I have spent every night at Muir's place since Sid's passing.

"I've been trying to find a polite way to ask you to fuck off."

I tug him in closer towards me. "Bullshit. You love havingme here."

He shrugs. "Maybe."