Page 48 of Her Fantasy Husband

“Yes.”

“I’ll come along.”

“Why?” She didn’t think Harry would follow them outside the house.

He just shrugged. “Why not?” They walked side by side but not touching. “So tell me about this thing.”

“I set it up a few years ago. Some of the homeless people have pets, and honestly, they feed them before they feed themselves, but there’s no way they can afford the services of a vet.”

“Maybe they shouldn’t have animals then.”

“Maybe. But sometimes these people have nothing and no one else. No home, no family, no friends. Maybe just a dog who gives them unconditional love. It’s so beautiful seeing the bond between them.” She shrugged. “Everyone needs someone to love.” She cast him a sideways glance. He didn’t look convinced. Did Josh have someone he loved? Who loved him unconditionally? She didn’t think so.

Based on his quest for no-strings-attached sex, she guessed he was alone by choice. But she couldn’t help but notice how lonely he was in his bubble. And she also couldn’t help but wish he had someone who could make him feel like he was finally home.

“Anyway,” she continued, “I went around all the local veterinary surgeries and badgered them. Some finally caved in. We started small, but when word got around, more vets joined and more people turned up. In the summer we work in the park, in the winter we rent a hall. It’s actually a registered charity now.”

The park was already teeming with people. Some were old friends, and she waved but led Josh through to where Sean Manning was setting up his station. Sean was on the charity board and had been in on the project from the start. He’d once told her the project had renewed his faith in what he was doing, made him remember why he had become a vet in the first place.

Sean was in his thirties, medium height, with warm brown eyes like a spaniel. He’d asked her out at the beginning, and she’d told him that she wasn’t…free. She liked him, though, a lot, and maybe if she had been free she might have considered him. But he didn’t make her palms clammy or her heart race. And she couldn’t begin to imagine him naked.

“Lexi.” His face lit up when he saw her, and Josh stiffened at her side.

“Hi, Sean, this is Josh, my…

She hesitated. What was she supposed to introduce him as? These people didn’t even know she was married.

“Husband,” Josh supplied for her.

Sean glanced from her to Josh and back again. “You got married without telling anyone?”

“We’ve been married for five years,” Josh said coolly.

“Really?” Poor Sean looked a little confused now. As well he might. They were friends.

“Josh hasn’t been around much,” she said. “He was in the army. Overseas. I couldn’t talk about it.”

“Like on secret missions?” Sean asked.

“Something like that.” It was sort of the truth. He had been in the army at one point.

“But I’m back now,” Josh put in. She glanced at him, and he raised a brow.

“Well, good. I think.” Sean didn’t sound sure. “Let’s get to work, then.”

A queue had formed in front of his station, and Lexi went around the back of the table. “First, please,” she called out.

A woman with a poodle in her arms came forward. Lexi smiled encouragingly, then turned to Josh who was standing at her side like some sort of bodyguard, making people nervous, including Sean. “Why don’t you go have a look around,” she suggested.

He glanced from her to Sean and back again, and for a second she thought he was going to insist on staying, but he gave a curt nod, shoved his hands in his pockets, and walked away.

“He’s a little intense,” Sean said.

“Hmm,” she replied as she watched his retreating figure. He really had a great ass.

“And, I’m guessing, the jealous type.”

She gave him a swift glance. No way would Josh be jealous. He didn’t see her like that. Maybe he was merely territorial. Or putting on an act. Which was nice of him.

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