Good, because she’s already advice-bombing me
 
 Greg_DM_Central_TXMarch 19 at 6:52pm
 
 She means well, but listen to your gut first.
 
 Reno_NOTtheDM_South_TXMarch 19 at 6:54pm
 
 Welcome, Callie! Congrats, and I second what Greg said. You’re a natural. Though I’m trying really hard not to be salty you weren’t called to the south district, lol.
 
 Caroline_DM_Panhandle_TXMarch 19 at 6:55pm
 
 Thanks, Reno! And someone will show up to take over there eventually, I’m sure of it!
 
 Reno_NOTtheDM_South_TXMarch 19 at 6:55pm
 
 It can’t be soon enough
 
 CHAPTER 1
 
 GREG
 
 “Thankyou for coming to speak to me about the job opening,” I said to Killian. I shook his hand and gestured for him to precede me out of the office and into the lobby.
 
 He’d impressed me with his customer service skills and quick thinking when I’d given him some upset client scenarios to see how he might handle them. And when I’d walked him around the pet resort, he hadn’t flinched at the larger dogs or the cats. He’d even dressed up for the interview, wearing khakis and a button-down instead of the more typical jeans and a t-shirt.
 
 Killian would be our new front desk employee, I could feel it.
 
 “We’ve got a few more candidates to interview, but I’ll be in touch by the end of the week.”
 
 Killian grinned and slowly turned, taking in the lobby. “I’m not worried. I’m from the future, so I know I’ll get the job.”
 
 I pulled up short. “I’m sorry, what?”
 
 “I have a time machine,” he told me earnestly. He wasn’t smiling.
 
 Giving him my best grin, I said, “Ha ha, that’s a good one.”Come on, come on, laugh, dammit.
 
 He shook his head. “I’m not joking. I’ve traveled to all different time periods, but this is my favorite.”
 
 Fuck, I’d been so excited we’d finally fill the opening.
 
 “Um, how nice.” Desperately I glanced around. At least there weren’t any clients in the lobby. Only Marie, who was staring open-mouthed, frozen in her task of counting the cash drawer. I cleared my throat. “Um, like I said, I’ll let you know by the end of the week.”
 
 “Thanks, Greg!” He waved at Marie, who gave a half-hearted wave back.
 
 When the glass door swung shut behind him, she rounded on me, her eyes wide. “Was he serious?”
 
 “I think so?” I shook my head, turning to go back to the office. “He interviewed so well.”
 
 The front doors opened again, this time admitting Craig, my business partner and best friend. He was on the phone, and he pointed me toward the office.
 
 “Silvia, hang on. I just got back to the pet resort, and Greg is right here. Give us a second to get out of the lobby.”
 
 I raised my eyebrows as I followed him. Silvia was the sixty-something ball of energy who lived across the street from Craig and his husband Foster. I’d gotten to know her fairly well over the past several years since I’d started attending game nights at Craig and Foster’s house. She made the most amazing food for us to snack on while we played.
 
 Once we were inside the office with the door shut, Craig set his phone on my desk and said, “Okay, Silvia, you’re onspeaker and Greg’s here. Why don’t you tell him what happened?” He smirked at me.
 
 At least it didn’t seem to be anything bad.