Page 36 of Until Then

I’m almost smiling, in fact, when we make it back to the store ahead of the rain.

Wonton, hyped up from his pup cup, runs in circles around us, making me laugh in the way only he can. Dogs have a unique ability to cheer a person up without even knowing it.

Derrick scratches at his beard, though one side of his mouth is lifted. “Should I have skipped the pup cup?”

I dismiss his words with a wave of my hand. “He’ll calm down soon enough.”

At the computer once more, I get to work making calls to check on orders for floor and tile that Jessica has recently placed, hoping for further details so I can update the transaction ledger.

Derrick watches me from his desk, like maybe this is some sort of silent test.

Have I passed? Or does he still think so little of my abilities? I might have an unconventional job, but I’m not totally inept. Not even close to it, really.

What I lack in formal education, I make up for in life experience.

At the end of the day, we shut everything down and flick off the lights. Then, with Wonton tucked under an arm, I make a mad dash for Derrick’s truck in an effort to avoid getting soaked to the bone.

He hops in with a grunt and cranks the engine. The temperature has dropped significantly thanks to the summer storm, so he turns off the AC. When I continue to shiver, he taps the button to turn the heat on.

“You okay?” he asks when lightning sparks in the distance.

“I’m okay.” I bury my face in Wonton’s neck and inhale, calmed by his familiar clean doggy scent.

“I could stop at the diner and?—”

“Not a chance, boss man. I’m cooking dinner.”

He gives me a sheepish, crooked grin. “You can’t blame me for trying.” He pulls onto the street, heading toward home, and after a few minutes of quiet, says, “You did good today.”

Pride weaves its way through me, and I fail epically at hiding my smile. “Did I pass?”

He rolls his eyes, that grin turning into a smirk. “If youplan on hanging around for a few months, then yeah, the job is yours if you want it.”

“I do. I… I don’t plan on going back to LA any time soon.”Or ever. That part is new, but each day I’m away only gets easier. I don’t miss it at all.

“Is it really that bad? This thing with the singer and her fans?”

I twist my lips. “It could be better,” I finally answer. “But in the grand scheme of things, no. I’ve been feeling unsettled for a while, though. I think this was the nudge I needed to get out.”

He dips his chin, his attention remaining on the road. “It’s okay to outgrow a place. People, too. It happens.”

“I know,” I whisper, digging my fingers into Wonton’s fur. He gives the side of my hand a lick. “But I don’t know who I am outside of that life.”

He glances over at me as he pulls into the driveway. After he’s come to a stop, he puts the truck in park, but he makes no move to get out. “Easy, you’re just you—whoever you are now.”

I meet his eyes, my chest tightening at the honesty in his expression. “I guess.”

“You’ll figure it out.”

I hope so.

As I’m stepping onto the driveway, a giant clap of thunder sounds, startling me. Wonton lets out a scared squeak and leaps from my arms.

“Wonton!” I scream as he darts away from me. “Wonton!” I chase after him, all my own fears of storms melting away.

Derrick curses behind me, his steps loud on the pavement.

At the edge of the driveway, he clutches my elbow and spins me around. I’m already soaked, with my hair plasteredto my forehead. He’s just as drenched, his shirt sticking to his wide chest and water running down his face.

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