A Groom of One's Own (Appies, #3)

by Emma St. Clair

Normally, when people visit with dogs, I’ll pop in and out of the room, checking to make sure things are going okay but giving them plenty of space. Trading out one dog for another as people try to get a sense for what one might be the best fit. With Eli, I’ve started spending more time in the room. Mostly because he invites conversation, pushing me into feeling almost comfortable around him. Also because I just like being around him. I stay today because it’s almost closing time, and there’s not much else to do. And because Eli’s dampened mood when he came in has me concerned. Even now, with his smiles and his teasing, he’s not at full strength. Like someone has been messing with his dimmer switch, powering him down to a fraction of his normal glow. I slide down the wall, sitting directly across from him with my knees pulled to my chest. As he snuggles Doris closer, Eli’s gaze falls to my forearm, which is freshly marked up thanks to a feline encounter earlier in the day. He frowns. “You’re scratched up again. Cats really don’t like you, do they?” I glance down at the angry red marks. “I really do try. But no—the cats have clearly sent out an all-feline bulletin about me. It’s a conspiracy. They’re plotting my demise.” Eli laughs, and pleasure thrums through me, a warm slide of happiness. “How’s that going to work if you plan to be a vet? Can you have a canine specialty or a no-cats policy?” Sighing, I say, “I’ll have to find a way to peacefully coexist with cats.” “Ah. T...