“I’m not really a morning person.”
“I remember it well.” I heard his smile. “Anyway, I just wanted to call and let you know that a position came up, so if you’re still interested—”
“Interested?” I bolted upright. “I would love to.”
“Well, that’s great. When can you come down and fill in the paperwork?”
“Today, I can come today,” the words spilled out in a frenzy. “I have classes until three-thirty, but I’m free after that.”
“I’ll need to check what we have going on today, but I can’t see it being a problem. I can email you later to confirm,” he hesitated, “or shoot you a text?”
“Either is fine.” Excitement danced in my tummy. “I’m just relieved and excited, definitely excited. You were so certain nothing was available, I’d kind of given up hope.”
“Well, I’m glad to be calling with good news.” George gave me a list of what to bring in with me later before we said goodbye and hung up.
I leaped out of bed with a spring in my step, and quickly shot a text to Hailee and Mya.
Me: George just called... there’s a position for me.
Hailee: That’s amazing, I’m so happy for you.
Mya: That’s great. All that flirting must have paid off.
My stomach knotted. Is that why George had suddenly found me something? Because he liked me? I didn’t want to owe him anything.
Dammit.
I typed another quick text to Hailee.
Me: You don’t think George found me something because he thinks I’ll owe him now, do you?
My cell rang and I hit answer. “Mya seems to think he’s doing this because he likes me,” I rushed out.
“Good morning to you too,” Hailee laughed softly.
“Sorry, I was just so happy and now I’m panicking.”
“Did he give you that vibe just now?”
“I don’t know. He was friendly, but he seemed like a nice guy.”
“He knows you’re in high school, right?”
“Of course.”
“So he’s probably just doing a nice thing. You said he’s fresh out of college himself, so he probably just appreciates how much this means to you. This is a good thing, Flick.”
“You’re right,” I breathed a sigh of relief. “You’re totally right. It’s Mya’s fault.”
“She likes to mess with your head. But she means well.”
“I know. Thanks. I should get ready for school. Do you want a ride?”
“Cameron’s picking me up, but you can ride with us?”
“Is Jason… actually, don’t answer that. I’ll meet you there. I think I have to get Mya anyway.”
“Okay, and Flick?”
“Yeah?”
“I think Mya’s right. I think this could be a really good thing for you.”
“Thanks, I’ll see you at school.” I hung up and let out a shaky breath, nervous energy radiating through me. Getting this break at A Brand New Tail was a good thing but it meant pulling the plug on my parents’ dream for me.
Something I didn’t relish doing.
“Hey,” Hailee chased me down after class. The day had flown, my head too consumed with George’s early morning call to concentrate. “Are you headed straight there?”
I nodded. “I didn’t want to risk going home and running into Mom. This way I can hopefully calm my nerves before I get there.”
“And what has you all worked up?” Asher peeked over Hailee’s shoulder, grinning at me.
“The pet rescue place called Flick; they have an opening for her.”
“Georgie boy pulled some strings, did he?”
“How do you know about George?” My brows bunched together.
“I, uh,” he stuttered, guilt swimming in his eyes. “I overheard Hailee telling Cam all about it.”
“Okay.”
“I’m proud of you, Fee, baby.” He hooked his arm around my neck and pulled me in. “Those furballs are going to love you.”
“I hope so, I could really—” Asher yanked his arm free and jerked away from me.
“Hey, guys,” Mya said, joining us.
“Mya,” he said smoothly, the reason for his sudden change apparent. “Nice shirt.”
“This old thing.” She pulled at the frayed t-shirt and chuckled. “Thanks, I guess.”
Hailee and I watched the two of them. Asher was smitten, his eyes tracking Mya’s every move. But she seemed indifferent to his attention.
“So what are you girls up to later? I know Flick is heading to puppy heaven but what about you, Hailee? Mya?”
“Me and Cam promised Xander we would take him to Ice-T’s.”
“Just don’t feed that little shit any of the candy. We made that mistake once.”
“I think we’ve got it covered.” Hailee smiled.
“Mya?”
“I’m living the dream tonight with Mr. Galveston’s homework.”
“History?” Asher winced. “Ouch.”
“Do you even do homework?” She threw back.
“I do it… occasionally,” he added. “But just because I play football doesn’t mean I’m a dumb jock. You’re looking at a GPA of 3.33 right here.”
“Athletic and book smart. I am impressed.”
“You should be.”
“Okay,” I interrupted. “Not that I’m not enjoying watching whatever this is,” I wagged my finger between them, “but I need to go. I don’t want to keep George waiting.”
“Call me as soon as you get done,” Mya said, “I want to hear all about dreamy George.”
“Dreamy George?” Asher frowned. “Isn’t he the manager of the place?”
“The very young, very cute manager,” Mya nodded. “Flick’s words, not mine.”
“You have a crush, Fee, baby? I’m wounded.”
“I do not have a crush.” Heat spread along my neck and into my cheeks. “George is... nice. He’s also going to be my boss so...”
“Kinky.” Asher grinned, his eyes dancing with amusement.
“Gross,” I hissed, waving him off. “Right, I’m out of here. I’ll call you both later. Asher, it was a pleasure as always.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he called as I left them to it. “Oh and Fee? Make sure George keeps his paws to himself. See what I did there... paws.” He exploded with laughter as I rolled my eyes and headed out of the building.
Wondering what I was getting myself into.
Turned out, I had nothing to worry about. When I’d arrived at the center, Serena had welcomed me, handing me a stack of paperwork to fill in. Then she traded me the papers for a volunteer handbook which she left me to study while she dealt with some clients. George eventually showed up to walk me through the volunteer schedule and list of duties. I’d missed the latest round of volunteer training, so for now I’d have to learn the ropes as I went, but I was just relieved to be there.
“I had no idea there was so much involved in pet adoption,” I said, shadowing George as he scrubbed a new arrival: Benji, a cute one-year-old puppy, brought in by his parents who were getting a divorce and no longer wanted him. He was so frickin’ cute, with big, round eyes and thick soft fur, the color of the sand.