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Why?
I don’t know. It just does.
What do you think will happen?
Nothing. We’ll walk a dog, snap a photo, and that’ll be it.
Then why are you worried?
Whose side are you on anyway?
I shut my laptop and stand, muttering to myself as I text James to come pick me up in fifteen.
I haven’t talked to myself like this since-
Jesus Christ, can my brain give it a rest? Do I have no control over my thoughts today?
I breathe deeply on the way to the shelter, completely calm by the time I arrive. I’ll take a photo and leave. Quick and painless. No need to get all worked up.
A bell rings over the door as I enter, a pair of women stopping their conversation as they look over at me.
“Hi, is-”
“She’s in there,” one of them interrupts with a knowing smile, pointing at a back area. “I’ll get her for you.”
The other woman eyes me carefully, not hostile by any means, but like she’s taking my measure. “How’s newlywed life treating you?”
“Well.”
“Good.” She sticks her hand out over the counter and I shake it. “I’m Wendy, the executive director here.”
I return my hands to my pockets, wondering how long it’ll take Serena to get out here. “Nice to meet you.”
“You married an amazing woman. She does a lot of good around here. Everyone loves her.”
I stay silent, sensing she’s not finished with whatever it is she wants to say.
“It hurt to see her so upset over the last month after getting engaged to your brother. Wouldn’t talk to any of us about it. And now she’s back to her usual self, married to you instead. Bit of a wild turn of events. Can you shed any light on the situation?”
Underneath the nosiness, there’s caring, but I’m not the person to answer her questions. “I won’t put words in Serena’s mouth. You’ll have to ask her.”
She gives me a level stare, but thankfully doesn’t have time to further interrogate me as Serena enters the room, her face stretching in a delighted smile.
“Archer.” She walks over and hugs me, my arm automatically snaking around her waist to return her embrace. “What brings you by?”
I breathe in deep before I even realize what I’m doing, the already familiar scent easing me. I’m aware of Wendy’s gaze still on me as I bend down to whisper, “Angelina wants another picture.”
Her smile isn’t as wide as I lean back. “Okay. I can do that.” She turns to Wendy. “I’m going to take a quick break.”
“You take as long as you need, honey. It was certainly good to meet you, Archer.”
I nod, nothing about her words or tone indicating any displeasure with me, but I sense it all the same. Like she’s a mama bear and I’m messing too closely with her cub. But I’m not doing anything wrong with Serena.
And why do I even care?
“How about we take Petey for a walk?” Serena asks, letting go of me.
Who is Petey? “Uh, sure.”