Page 7

I held up my hands. “Guys, please stop.”

Mom and Dad exchanged some more whispers, then turned around to face me.

I rubbed my temples with my fingers. “First of all, the correct term is pansexual. And second, I have brought guys home before.”

“You mean Stefano?” Mom asked with creased brows. “The one who left you to work with rescue chickens in Brazil?”

I nodded. “Yes, him.”

Maybe he wasn’t the best example, but he was the only guy I’d ever brought home with me. Too bad he flew the coop when things started to get serious between us.

“Who else?” Mom asked, one of her eyebrows raised.

“Well, don’t you remember… you know… that one guy…”

Ugh, I came up blank. There had been no other guys apart from Stefano.

Dad hurried closer and put his hands on my shoulders. “Sweetie, we’ll love you just the way you are. Bring someone or don’t. We won’t fret about grandchildren or marriage, right, Colleen?” He threw Mom a pleading look.

She let out a defeated sigh. “Yes, your father is right. Even though I’m dying to have grandchildren, we won’t nag you about it.”

I smiled at both of them. “Thanks, that means a lot to me.”

A look of relief crossed Dad’s face. “Do you want to stay for dinner? We’re having lasagna.”

“I’d love that,” I said, happy I wouldn’t have to eat alone in my tiny apartment.

As I walked to yoga class at the community center later that night, I thought about how my parents’ new beginning put a definite end to the years in my childhood home. I’d always be welcome there, of course, but unless I wanted to sleep in a room filled with hamsters, I could never return.

A feeling of sadness washed over me. What if I ended up all alone, just like my parents clearly feared I would?

I unlocked my phone and opened the LoudAndClear app to continue listening to the audiobook I had borrowed from the library. A good dash of cozy mystery would take my thoughts off the loneliness that was settling in my heart. I was enjoying a series featuring a clever amateur sleuth called Daisy Dollops, and book four had just been released.

At least this way, I could live vicariously through others, even if said people were nothing more than fictional characters.

Chapter Three

Lewis

“Honestly, Lewis, I still don’t understand why you had to cross the pond for a job. There are plenty of veterinary clinics in Britain, you know.”

I balanced my phone between my ear and shoulder as I unlocked the doors to Pine Paw Prints and switched on the lights. My dog Archie dashed inside, excited to explore the place once again. “I know, Mum, but this is a fantastic opportunity. What I can achieve here was out of reach for me at South Devon Vet Care. You know I’m an ambitious guy.”

My mother let out a heavy sigh. I could just picture her sitting in the brown leather armchair near the window, shaking her head. “All I’m asking is for you to make some friends as soon as possible. You don’t know anyone in that small town. I don’t want you to get lonely and work all hours like you did at your previous job.”

Poor Mum. She was still convinced me being lonely was the reason I had worked so much in the past. She also thought I’d willingly left my job at South Devon Pet Care. Maybe one day I’d tell her the truth, but not today. Knowing the facts wouldn’t change a thing.

“I promise. In fact, I’ve already met some people,” I said, thinking back to the barista who had playfully reminded me to tip her. I’d slip an extra dollar bill her way next time I went over to the local coffee shop to get my daily caffeine fix.

“A woman, perhaps?” Mum asked, her voice full of hope.

I rolled my eyes. “I only just arrived here. I’m not interested in meeting anyone.”

“Of course, but it doesn’t hurt to keep your eyes open. You haven’t had a relationship in such a long time now.”

There had been someone, but the way things had gone down, I was relieved that I’d never brought the girl to my mother’s place. Ignorance is bliss and all that.

“Really, stop worrying about me,” I said. “As soon as I’m settled in, I’m sure I’ll go on plenty of dates.”