in a pair of leggings and a top that covers that ass I love.
“There is no one else.”
“He could find someone. It’s a vet business in a small town with no competition. Call the bank and tell them you want to apply for a business loan, not a personal loan.”
“No.”
“Damn you, Colton.” She smacks her desk with an open palm. “Why?”
“Because you deserve it. Because you love being a matchmaker and I don’t want to see your dream die.”
She looks up. “And it’s okay that your dream dies?”
I shrug. “My dream is just postponed. Not dead.”
She stands and paces in front of her desk. “How did you know?”
“I saw an email and the past-dues when Earl dropped off the mail. The real question is why didn’t you tell me?” It feels like a knife in the heart. Are we going to spend our entire life like this, where she doesn’t tell me what’s bothering her? “I’m supposed to be your confidant.”
She throws her hands in the air. “We’ve been dating a week.”
I throw my arms in the air. “We’ve been best friends since we were six.”
Her eyes narrow. “Cute, Colton.”
“I thought so.” I sit smugly in my chair, my own sandwich untouched now. “Why do you keep everything inside? I don’t understand.”
She walks over to the picture of her Aunt Etta—or should I say shrine, because although it’s only a picture, Juno looks at it as if Etta’s her savior.
“I’m not sure I want to be a matchmaker and because of that…” She turns around and crosses her arms. “I’m closing SparkFinder. I won’t accept your loan. Use it to fulfill your dream.”
“What?” What the hell does she mean she’s closing up shop?
She shakes her head. “My decision is made. I’m going to continue to do the blind speed dating because I have to earn a living.”
“Are you sure?” She nods, walking back over to her desk, but before she can bypass me, I grab her wrist and tug her into my lap. “I love you.”
She nods. “I know you do, but you can’t be my savior.”
“I’m not doing this just because we’re a couple.”
“I know. You would’ve done this just because of our friendship, but at some point, I have to find myself. And truthfully, my mind is a clusterfuck right now.” I hold her tight and she lays her head on my shoulder. “I’ve never really thought of doing anything besides matchmaking. When I was younger, I felt it was my calling after my mom told me about my Aunt Etta. But I never really considered whether this is what I want to do with the rest of my life. I just did it. It’s not a surprise that I never thought to improve or change things up to gain more clients because I was just living day by day. I didn’t have any long-term goals for my business. And I’m sorry that it upsets you that I don’t want to move in with you right now.”
“Why don’t you? Do you not see me in your future?” I hold my breath, waiting for her answer.
She picks up her head and cradles my face. “You’re the one thing I know I want in my future. I’m scared I’m going to mess it up, but I can’t help thinking about the what-ifs. What if as soon as I’m all in, you leave?”
I tilt my head, waiting for her to give me more to go on, but she doesn’t. “Juno, I’d never leave you.”
She presses her finger to my lips. “I’m not saying you’d do it willingly. Things happen.”
I rear back and stare at her. Man, I had it pegged all wrong. She’s not scared that I’m going to leave her—she’s scared to rely on me because I’ll die. Fuck.
I hug her, unable to say anything that might make it better.
Mario changes my loan, and two weeks later, I’m signing papers with Dr. Murphy to be part owner of Four Paws.
There’s no party to celebrate since I’m not making a huge deal about it in case I fail, but Juno’s waiting for me at my house when I get there. I open up the garage door into my kitchen and my bag falls to the floor. She’s sitting on the kitchen table, wearing a silk robe and—if my suspicions are correct—she’s naked underneath.
“Are you the official part owner of Four Paws Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Stone?” she asks in a seductive voice, opening her legs to rest on the chair seat in