Page 40 of Enemies to Lovers

I snort. “No. I’m just thinking maybe I need to get him socializing more. Pits are social. He might be bored as hell with just Logan and me.”

“Pits also want to please their humans.” He rests his butt against the counter by Brewster’s face. “I think the problem is… he doesn’t know you’re his human yet.”

“Well, for not being his human, I sure clean up enough after him.”

He chuckles. “Might be testing you. He’s been returned to the shelter—”

“A lot.” There go my heartstrings again.

“Three, that I’ve witnessed.”

“What’s been the longest time he’s had a home?”

“So far?” His hazel eyes travel across Brewster’s back and then meet mine. “With you.”

I frown, and it’s too much for me. I know he hates cuddles, but I give Brewster a good squeeze while he’s letting me. “My poor baby. I’m not going to return you, I promise.”

A sad smile creases Miles’ lips. “Don’t promise it if you can’t keep it.”

“I know.” I straighten, my cheek cold from no longer resting it against my pup. “Does it happen often? People returning, abandoning?”

“More than I like to think about.” He pushes from the counter, and Hershey perks up from her spot just outside the bathroom door. “Some people can’t afford the care the animal needs, so we find them at our door.”

“Abandon them instead of treating them.” It sucks. I know it happens. Doesn’t change how crappy it is.

“We’ll see it a lot, I’m afraid.”

“Oh, I know.” I tuck my hands into my back pockets, and his eyes travel down my frame, making my heart jolt for a split second. “Uh… I mean… there’s always that possibility of the treatment being euthanasia.”

“Honestly, I’m surprised we haven’t had to do it yet.”

He’s right. A few of our classmates have had to euthanize a patient. We’ve been lucky with the ones we’ve gotten. Part of me wonders if it’s because of our massive screw up during that first lab.

I swallow hard, eyeing the floor. “Do you ever think about it?”

“Putting down animals?” He shifts beside me. “Every day. Not going to be an easy job.”

“That’s for damn sure.”

We fall into a heavy silence, and since we’re done examining Brewster, I go to pick him up. Miles watches me, amusement settling in his eyes as I struggle. It doesn’t help that Brewster fights me every step of the way, and my arms are not built for eighty-pound dog lifting. I give up after a second and tilt my head for help. Miles laughs and wraps his arms around Brewster, lifting him from the counter and setting him on his feet.

“Thank you.”

“Yep.”

“Not just for that.” I clear my throat and run a hand through the hair that’s fallen from its braid. “For being so… gentle with my dog.”

He lifts a brow, but otherwise doesn’t comment on it. He leans against the counter again, folding his arms. I’m grateful his sleeves have fallen to his wrists. I don’t think I can handle his forearmsandhim being so great with Brewster.

“Why did you get into it?” he asks. “This vet thing. And don’t say because you love animals.”

I laugh, matching his stance. “But I do.”

“But why else?”

I look to the ceiling, thinking and admiring the lighting. “It… feels right.” I scrunch my nose and shake my head. “I hate how trivial that sounds, that I don’t have this deep reason for it, other than this desire to use my knowledge to help animals.”

“It doesn’t sound trivial at all.” He scratches his beard. “Not to me.”

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