“Really? You’re ready?” There’s a strong possibility that Dr. Murphy will stay on until we find a new person and train them.
Dr. Murphy smiles and nods. “After your stint of stopping your wedding for the one you love, Mrs. Murphy has some newfound love for spontaneity, and she wants to travel. I promised her five years ago I’d slow down once I found someone I trusted, and she’s been bothering me since you graduated. So here we are. That is, if you still want the practice?”
“Yes.” I nod enthusiastically. No question about it, especially now that I’m with Juno. Me owning a vet practice is the security we’ll need to start our life together. “Definitely.”
He smiles and shakes my hand.
“Thank you, Dr. Murphy. I promise to run it with the same professionalism and caring nature you have all these years.”
“Well, we do have one problem to talk about still.”
I sit back in my chair, already aware of what he wants to talk about—Lori.
“Lori’s my sister, and although she could get a job somewhere else with her skills, I can’t just throw her out. I sense that once you’re her boss, she’ll ease up on you.”
I rest my elbows on the arms of the chair. “I think she might hate me.”
“No. She just doesn’t understand new ways of doing things and I’ve probably allowed her too much leeway over the years. But I have to put in the paperwork that she stays on staff until she chooses or does something against the office policies.”
If this is the cost of having the business, I won’t argue. Lori isn’t exactly youthful, so I can handle her until her retirement. “I understand, and I’m in agreement.”
His expression says he appreciates that I’m being a team player. “Okay, well, call that contact at the bank, and let’s get the ball rolling. Congratulations, Colton.” He stands and puts his hand out again.
I stand and shake his hand. “Thank you for this opportunity.”
“You’re a good kid. I’m happy to see things are turning around for you.” He winks.
All I can think of is Juno, and he’s right. Things couldn’t be better with us, and now I’m getting the practice. Life has never been better.
After I leave Dr. Murphy’s office, I go to the break room and dial up Mario at the bank, hoping the paperwork won’t take that long. We’ve already discussed everything; the question has always been when.
“Mario Arroyo,” he answers.
“Hey, Mario, it’s Colton Stone.”
“Dr. Murphy is finally ready to retire, huh?”
I laugh. “Yeah.”
“Okay, I’ll draw up the loan application. Come by on your lunch if you want, or we’re open until five. You can sign everything, and I’ll start getting the loan processed.”
Butterflies fill my stomach. I’m actually doing this. A loan isn’t ideal, but I don’t have enough in savings since I purchased a house. “I’ll be there at lunch.”
“Perfect.”
I hang up and relish that my life is finally coming together how I always wanted.
Twenty-Four
Juno
I’m packing up stuff at my office to head back to the bar in Anchorage for another blind speed dating night. I’ve sent a text to Stella to let her know that Kingston will be there tonight, but she hasn’t answered. If they both show up, I’m diving under a table.
“Ready?” Colton walks into my office looking delicious in jeans and a T-shirt that stretches over his shoulders.
“You already changed after work? All the women there are going to be wishing you were one of the dates.” I add flyers and business cards for SparkFinder into the box.
“Well, then I’ll have to tell them someone stole my heart already.”
I shake my head, smiling at him.
“I have some good news.” He sits in my office chair, twirling around like a child.
At least he has good news. My news is that maybe, just maybe, I can catch up on my rent if these blind date functions keep going so well.
“Yeah?”
“Dr. Murphy has agreed to sell me the practice.”
I abandon the box and turn around to face him. “And you waited this long to tell me? When did he let you know?”
“This morning. I had to call in my loan to be processed. Signed the papers at lunch, so I’ll find out in a week or so.” His boyish smile shows how happy he is.
This is what he’s wanted since he graduated. He knew there was no room for two vet practices in Lake Starlight, so either he buys Four Paws from Dr. Murphy when he retires, or he would have to go somewhere else to practice. This keeps him here in Lake Starlight permanently.
Other than Colton, my life is in flux, but he doesn’t need to worry about my problems when all his dreams are coming true.
“I have my girl and a practice. Life is good.” He leans back and puts his hands behind his head while stretching his legs out on the desk.
“And it looks good on you.” I grin.
“Good enough that you maybe want to have a quickie before we leave?” His eyebrows waggle.
I laugh, breaking the distance between us and pushing his feet off the desk. “I could just hide here under the desk. No one would know what was happening if they looked through the glass.”
I glance at the clock. We have at least ten minutes before we have to leave to be there. After I slide under the desk, Colton straightens the chair so he’s facing my desk straight-on. On my knees, I unbutton his jeans and pull the zipper down.
He groans and slides down in the chair so I have more to work with. Rubbing his hard length, I lower his boxer briefs down over his dick, not thinking anything of seeing it anymore. This past week, we’ve sought
