Page 11 of Healing You
“Superman?”
“Close. Spider-Man.”
She laughed. “How was that close?”
“It started with an 'S'.”
She shook her head, standing with the dog in her arms. The Chihuahua's shivering had almost stopped, and the little animal sighed. “I know, sweet girl. You're safe now. I promise.”
“For the record, Yvonne? I think you're pretty amazing, too.”
Butterflies lurched from her stomach into her chest and a swell of emotion crashed over her.
“Steve!” A leggy brunette with beautifully tanned skin and glistening brown eyes grinned at him, walking over with a medical bag in hand. “Steve, it's so great to see you.”
“Dawn.” Steve flicked another glance at Yvonne before standing and giving the woman a hug.
A flush crawled across Yvonne's skin and she felt a sudden protectiveness for Sophy. I'm not that guy, my ass, she thought.
“Dawn, this is Yvonne, animal rescuer extraordinaire. Yvonne, this is Dr. Dawn DeLaine. We went to veterinary school together.” His arm held fast around Dawn's waist, tugging her against his hip.
Yvonne managed a tight-lipped smile, offering Dawn her hand. She was willowy and tall, with sleek dark hair and tailored black pants. She was everything Yvonne's parents tried to make her into, and everything Yvonne had rejected. “Dr. DeLaine, I can't thank you enough for helping out tonight.” Dawn took her hand and despite its delicateness, she had a firm grip.
“I'm happy to help. Any friend of Steve's...” She winked at him. “And please, call me Dawn.”
Something in the way Dawn winked at Steve, her eyes lingering and drifting down his body... Yvonne felt like she was walking into the middle of something, and was suddenly extremely uncomfortable. “Well, supplies are over on that table. We're mostly just trying to get all the dogs comfortable and clean for transport. And we're in desperate need of fosters if you have any clients—”
“Oh, I definitely do,” Dawn nodded. “I have a cat at home, but I could take one of the smaller, more docile dogs with me for a few days at least.”
Yvonne smiled and Dawn matched her grin. Yep, she liked this girl already. “That would be amazing, thank you.” Dawn nodded, rushing off to the other end of the yard to begin work. Yvonne watched her for a moment as she coaxed a puggle out of its cage.
Steve tucked a hand into Yvonne's elbow, tenderly pulling her into his body. The Chihuahua blinked slowly, nearly asleep. His heavy breaths pushed against her chest and his body heat radiated strong against her skin. “You okay?” he asked, searching her face for answers.
Yvonne chewed her bottom lip, and as she gained courage, she lifted her gaze to his. Those blue eyes twinkled beneath the heated work lamps. A bead of sweat trickled from his hairline down his temple and over his scar. “I'm fine,” she said, only the words came out shaky. Her gaze traveled to where Dawn knelt next to the crate. “She seems really sweet, Steve.”
His eyebrows pulled together. “Yeah, she is. She's one of my best friends from vet school.”
Yvonne raised an eyebrow. Friends? And she couldn't help the relief she felt at that.
Steve pulled back, dropping his hand from her elbow. “What?” he said, sounding suddenly defensive. “Dawn and I are just friends. That's all.”
“I didn't say you weren't.” Yvonne kept her voice even, but even with that, she was never good at masking her feelings.
He gave a derisive snort. “Why do I even feel the need to explain myself to you? You haven't spoken to me in years. What the hell do you care who I am or am not sleeping with?”
“I don't care. I didn't even say anything.”
“You didn't have to. I already told you. I'm not that guy. Dawn and I are friends. That's all.”
“Fine. But you are awfully defensive considering all I said was that she was sweet.”
Steve shook his head, bending to scoop up his medicine bag. “If your fiancé is half as interested in his ex's dating life as you are in mine, you two are in for quite a marriage.”
The insult knocked the wind right out of her, her stomach tightening with the blow. “Steve!” she called after him as he walked away. But he didn't turn around. “I'm not engaged anymore,” she muttered. But he was too far away to hear her.
6
S teve sighed, flopping against the building with a sigh. Dawn sidled up beside him, handing him a coffee. “Where the hell did you get this?” he asked. She shrugged and sipped hers. “The redhead over there brought a container of coffee for everyone.” She nodded across the street toward Lila, who owned a local diner with her mother.
