Approaching the front desk, he felt like a
complete jerk. Jennifer looked up in surprise to see him so soon.
He asked her to charge for the visit, which she did, and he signed
his credit card receipt. As he was heading out the door, he felt
Riley enter the room.
"Wait. Garrett, don't leave yet," Riley
called
Garrett's hand stilled, on the door handle.
He felt like he was splintering apart. Did she stop him to give him
a chance? He took a deep breath and turned around. Her emerald eyes
locked onto his and his breath whooshed out because of the heated
look she gave him.
"Hey, we all make mistakes," she said.
Relief slammed into him and his heart started
beating again. He wasn't sure what to do; he wanted to grab her up
and hug her and never let her go. Instead, he took off his jacket,
walked over, and wrapped it around her shoulders. He said, "I know
this seems strange, but would you mind holding onto it for me until
I see you next?"
"I can do that. When will I be seeing you
next?" She cocked a half grin at him.
Smiling shyly, he said, "Is tonight too
early?"
Taken aback, Riley shook her head, "No, not
too early. Tonight it is." She held out her hand to shake on it,
more to have an excuse to touch him than any other reason. When
their hands met, they both smiled bigger and had a moment where
words weren't necessary to convey feelings.
Garrett heard the ding of the front door
behind him. Riley's eyes left his and looked over his shoulder,
then widened with shock and joy. She pulled her hand away from him
and covered her mouth in surprise as Garret whipped his head around
and saw a man standing at the entrance with the same expression of
joy on his face.
Garrett's wolf almost broke free. No one can
look at her like that; she was his Kismet. Garrett turned around to
face the threat, keeping between the stranger and his Kismet. His
wolf wanted to kill, but he didn't know who this person was, maybe
it was her brother? He couldn't take this emotional roller coaster.
After being dead inside for three years, he'd felt every emotion
that existed within a thirty minute window. He felt like he was
going to break apart and Dude was at a full cower again, feeling
Garrett's confusion and anger. He took a deep breath to calm
himself. Bad decision, because the inhale brought the male's scent
of lust. That was the last straw; he couldn't take any more. He
fisted his hands as his claws started to poke through and he looked
to the ground as his eyes went golden.
Then he felt his Kismet step next to him and
put her hand on his lower back. Her touch brought magical warmth
pulsing through his body and completely calmed him, allowing his
wolf to recede. He looked over at her. She was peering up at him as
if she understood his inner turmoil. Their connection grew even
stronger in those few seconds as they gazed in each other's eyes.
He nodded his composure as he watched her slip her arms fully into
his jacket, and snuggle in, as if she was making a point. Then she
stepped over to the intruder and gave him a hug. He wanted to hug
her so badly it was killing him, but instead, he watched her hug
another male with a smile on her face. She tested his self-control
in epic proportions.
*
Riley, floored to see Ryan, didn't know how
to react. She hadn't seen him in almost seventeen years, and here
he was in her clinic. He looked the same, except more grown up and
handsome. She saw Garrett stiffen and whip his head around to look
at Ryan. She somehow sensed his fear and hurt, almost as if he were
one of the animals she cared for. She could feel his emotions
pouring off him and she immediately stood next to him and timidly
put her hand on his lower back. She felt him relax and he turned
his head to look down at her. She could tell his jaw was clenched
tight and his eyes were so intense, it stole her breath. He nodded
at her then, letting her know all was OK as his jaw relaxed. She
didn't know what it was about, but she felt they were somehow
inexplicably connected. She didn't want to let go of him again, but
she needed to greet Ryan. She put her arms through Garrett's jacket
to keep him close as she lowered her hand from his back and stepped
around to give Ryan a hug.
"Ryan! I can't believe I'm seeing you after
all of these years. What on earth are you doing here?" Riley
stepped back next to Garrett to give him some comfort. Still lost
as to why she sensed he needed it, but drawn to do it anyway.
"Well, my professor at OSU told me he had a
veterinarian looking for a new graduate to hire. When he told me
your name, I couldn't believe it could possibly be you. Then I
looked up your alumni photo and I was proven wrong. So, I guess I'm
here to talk to you about a job," Ryan said with a smile. He
shifted his look to the guy standing next to Riley and didn't like
what he saw. Possessiveness was thick in the room and he almost
felt uncomfortable talking with her. They were shaking hands when
he came in; it hadn't appeared they were in a relationship. This
guy was going to be a problem, plus he was sensing a shifter in the
room and it had to be coming from him. He didn't know what kind of
shifter, but from the display of dominance and the cowering dog at
his feet, he'd guess wolf.
She was shocked; she couldn't believe he was
the applicant the professor referred to her. She could definitely
share a space with him and unless he had changed a ton, she knew
he'd fit in with the whole crew. "Wow Ryan, this is amazing. I'm in
shock. I'd love to talk with you about it. Why don't you follow Sam
into my office and I'll be in there in a minute. I can't believe
you're actually here." She stepped up and gave him a hug again. It
had been so many years; it was as if a piece of her family was
finally glued back in place. Looking at a strangely wide-eyed Sam
behind her, she asked, "Sam, can you show Ryan to my office and get
him something to drink? I'll be right there."
"Absolutely, right this way Ryan." Sam
chimed.
So much had happened in the last hour. The
animals acting psychotic, Garrett arriving and nearly having his
throat ripped out. Then he told her he had lied to her and all
because he saw something special about her. She'd never had anyone
say anything like that to her. As if that wasn't enough, he gave
her his jacket/security blanket again, with his scent even stronger
than it had been before. When he asked her out, she thought she'd
never been so happy in all of her life. The connection she felt
with him didn't seem possible, how can she feel so connected to
someone she just met? It was as if she could read his emotions
even. If Ryan hadn't come in and shocked the heck out of her, she
would have stepped into his arms for a hug and probably a kiss.
Talk about twilight zone.
Ryan was another crazy coincidence. Garrett
acted as if he were protecting her from him with the way he stood
in front of her. She swore he was about ready to attack if she
hadn't rested her hand on him. His back muscles were strung taut
and it gave her shivers thinking about it. He seemed so powerful
and she wanted to run her hands up and down his back and arms, feel
his muscles flex under her fingertips. Her mind was spinning with
all these thoughts as she turned to look at Garrett. She noted he
had a look of utter disappointment in his eyes, as if someone had
stolen his ice cream cone.
"Well, this has been a crazy morning, huh?”
She gave him a shy smile.
Garrett gulped and asked, "Um, so, who is
that guy?" embarrassed he was jealous, but determined to know the
truth.
"That's Ryan Henderson, and I haven't seen
him since I was thirteen. He was my best friend growing up. I'm
still in shock he's here. I've been looking for some help, so I can
have some more "me" time, and I guess he's applying." She finished,
hoping that made it sound as innocent as it was. She could tell he
had a jealous streak. She couldn't figure out why anyone would be
jealous over her, especially when they had just met.
"Oh, OK. Well, I should let you get back to
your meeting, and I need to get Dude back to his owner. Again, I'm
really sor..." Riley cut him off by putting a finger to his lips.
He sucked in a breath and felt the electrical spark all the way
through his body. He suppressed a shiver and looked deeply into her
eyes, trying to convey his feelings without saying them.
"Shhh, Garrett, stop apologizing. I've
decided to take the lie as the kindest compliment I've ever
received. So, thank you for being interested enough to lie to me."
She gave him a lopsided smile.
Garrett couldn't take it anymore. He stepped
into her and slowly wrapped his arms around her. Inhaling and
taking the first full, relaxing breath since he met her. She felt
so good in his arms, her body fit perfectly. "Thank you Riley. You
have no idea how much I appreciate you giving me a chance." His
wolf was panting with happiness in his head. He stepped back and
held onto her hand. "I can't wait to see you tonight. What time
would you like me to pick you up for dinner?"
Riley was trying to get her head clear after
the hug. She could feel her cheeks burning hot and knew her face
was red as a tomato. "I should be home and ready by seven. If you
give me your number, I can text you my address." She crossed her
fingers, hoping he'd give his number to her. He reached into his
pocket, pulled out his phone, and handed it to her. She added her
name and number to his contacts list. She noted he didn't have a
huge number of female names in it, and for some reason it made her
feel special.
"Can you get your phone, so I can give you my
information?" he asked. She stepped over to the front counter and
grabbed her phone up, handing it to him. He typed for a little bit
and then handed it back with a wink saying, “Thanks, my little
Kismet."
"Kismet? What does that mean? Or rather, I
know what it means, but why did you call me that?" She asked with a
confused look.
"That's just how I think of you." Garrett
said with a smile. "Have a wonderful day, Riley. I'll see you
soon." He grabbed her one more time for a quick hug and took a deep
smell of her hair, he wanted to get as much of his scent on her as
possible until he could claim her as his. He didn't want to leave
her in Ryan's presence, but he had to get back to work and didn't
feel he could be overbearing since Riley didn't even know about
their Kismet. He squeezed her body and stepped back, heading out
the door with Dude in tow.
Riley watched him leave and an empty feeling
developed in the pit of her stomach. She didn't want him to go,
which was ridiculous. She looked down at her phone and saw he
entered his contact info as
Garrett Forrester - your Kismet
.
She smiled, not really sure what he meant by it, but knowing it was
good and willing to play along. He had added his address into her
phone as well - that was surprising. She noted he lived in Woodland
and her curiosity was piqued enough she knew she'd be looking up
his address on maps. She immediately sent a text to him
Kismet Garrett - Looking forward to tonight.
My address is 1700 A Street.
- Kismet Riley ;)
Within seconds he texted back
My Kismet - Thank you again for honoring me with the
chance.
-Your Kismet
She closed her phone with a smile on her face
and headed back to her office to see Ryan.
Riley headed to her office and Sam accosted
her.
"First, you owe some money to Jennifer since
the dog was clearly not his. Second, what happened? I want all the
details. Third, who is that guy I took to your office? Fourth, why
are you wearing Garrett's jacket?" Sam whispered harshly.
"Fine, I'll pay Jennifer. As for what
happened... I'm still trying to figure that one out. I'll fill you
in later, too much to talk about in such a short amount of time.
The guy is Ryan. You know, my childhood friend ripped out of my
life at age thirteen. Well, he's a vet and is looking into the
position here. Again, so shocked I can't coherently talk about it.
After I meet with Ryan I promise to let you in on everything."
Riley quickly whispered back. "Oh, and I have a date tonight with
Garrett and he asked me to wear his jacket." She said with a smile
as she watched Sam's jaw drop. She quickly stepped around a stunned
Sam and headed for her office.
“Hey, did he ask you out during the visit, or
after he paid? Riley, we need to know who won the bet.”
“The answer is complicated, but technically
it was after he paid. Lyla won. Now stop making wagers about my
love life.”
As she entered, Ryan stood up from the chair
he was in with a huge grin on his face. "Well, Dr. Riley, is it? I
can't believe I'm actually seeing you again. I thought we'd never
cross paths after all these years."
"I didn't either, Ryan. How did you end up in
the Pacific Northwest again, and as a vet, no less? I'm in such
shock I can't believe it." Riley circled around to her chair and
took a seat.
"Well, I always had a propensity for taking
care of animals. After trying a few things, I decided to go back to
school and get my doctorate. OSU was the best program. I actually
finished in December, so I'm ready to work anytime. I've been
looking for the right clinic," Ryan said as he sat back down and
handed her his resume and recommendations.
She quickly glanced over them, but she knew
he'd be a good fit. Money would be the only trouble. "Well, as you
are probably aware, we are a fairly young practice. I'm not sure if
I can pay you what you're hoping for, and as of right now, we don't
have a full enough roster to put you on at full time. However, the
goal would be to change that within the first month or two. Do you
have a dollar figure you're expecting?"