house, but here he was, just like Callie, giving me all the chances I’d never earned. “Thank you,” I managed.
“No problem. Actually...” He reached into his pocket and began fiddling with his keys. “Take this. I’ll be out with Rory tonight, but you can make a copy for yourself and let yourself in whenever you need.”
I took the silver key and held it tight. I didn’t know how, but someday, I’d pay Beckett back for the kind of friend he was to me.
Nineteen
Callie
Carson parked in front of the animal shelter for my first day of work. I usually volunteered here every other weekend, but I couldn’t wait to start my full-time summer internship to see what it was like to manage a shelter and be responsible for so many hurting animals.
Every animal in that place had been discarded somehow—neglected or abused, dropped off by a former owner, or in some of the saddest cases, left behind by an owner who had passed away. In some ways, I felt akin to the animals, wanted to pour all of my love into them.
Carson killed the engine and said, “Ready for your first official day?”
I nodded. “I’m excited. You really didn’t have to drive me, you know.”
“Well, you weren't ready to tell your parents or anyone yesterday. I figured today would be a good way to ease you into it.”
“True.” I had put off letting my family know, but Lorelei, the shelter owner, already knew Carson and loved him, so it should be simple to just walk in holding his hand. Right?
He opened his car door and said, “Let me come and open the door for you. I'll look like a jerk if I don't.”
“So chivalrous,” I teased.
With a chuckle, he pulled his keys and got out before walking around the front of the car to my side. He was wearing the board shorts we bought the other day and a white tank that had a plus sign with the word “GUARD” on it. He was already tan, but by the end of summer, his skin would be a deep hazelnut color. Then I realized I’d been staring at him for way too long.
He opened the door and smiled at me. “Hi, girlfriend. I definitely just saw you a minute ago, but I'm really happy to see you now.”
Laughing, I rolled my eyes. “So you're the doting kind of boyfriend? How did Sarah deal with you for so long?”
“She didn’t.” He took my hand to help me out. “She knew I was in love with you, remember?”
His words kicked the butterflies in my stomach into high gear. I tried to remind them this was all for show. As I got out of the car, I could already feel everyone's eyes on me from inside the broad windows of the animal shelter.
“Remember to breathe,” Carson said low.
I realized that I hadn't been and took a deep breath. Carson opened the door to the animal shelter, and I was immediately comforted by the familiar smell of animal dander and the soft song of quiet mews and dogs’ paws on the floor. I loved it here.
“So, I see you’re holding hands?” Lorelei asked from the front desk.
I grinned at my boss and the paisley bandana she had around her neck. “Grooming day?”
“Of course,” she said, “but don't dodge my question.”
I looked at Carson, who was smiling wide, playing the part perfectly. “We're together,” he said.
“Oh, I am so happy for you two!” she cried, coming to give us both a big hug. Her curly hair itched my cheek, but I didn't mind. I was glad she was happy for me. I didn't think I could handle lying and disappointment at the same time.
“Thank you,” I said.
She stepped back and looked Carson over. “I'm guessing you're not coming to volunteer today?”
“No, ma’am,” he said. “Just dropping off my girl.”
“Ew,” a voice said from behind us. “‘My girl’?”
My eyebrows raised because this was the one safe haven I thought I had away from that voice. Away from the person attached to it who ruined my life. But when I looked over my shoulder, there she was. Merritt Alexander.
Lorelei chuckled. “Still a little burned on love after what happened to your brother?”
Merritt shook her head and put a full-wattage grin on her face. “No, I'm just teasing my good friends.”
Lorelei clapped her hands together. “I was hoping you would know each other!”
“Of course,” Merritt said. “We went to school together.”
“That’s what I thought,” Lorelei said, folding her arms over