Page 78 of Scarlet Vows

“It’s complicated,” I warn.

“Then I’m assuming it involves a guy,” Eva says with a chuckle. “Complicated always does.”

I nod and take a sip of the rich coffee. “I have this friend who I’ve known all my life, but lately, there have been some unexpected…feelings.”

Eva pauses with the pastry halfway to her mouth, shock on her face. I almost ask her about it, but then she nods and sets her pastry down.

“Feelings,” she says as she moves into the dog area to feed them, “are often difficult.”

“Agreed.” I take the bag of food and hold it for her.

“The thing is, if you don’t mind some advice?” she asks.

“No, I don’t.”

“Sometimes big changes make us cling to things, changes like marriage.” Eva opens an enclosure, scoops some of the kibble, and empties it into the bowl.

The little Jack Russell barks his thanks and chows down.

“But sometimes, when there’s change, the old can seem like something to hold on to. So maybe you need to weigh up whether this friendship’s worth ruining your marriage over.”

I stop, frowning, my head spinning. Is marriage some kind of metaphor?

Crap, did I tell her about the arrangement with Ilya? I’m positive I didn’t. I wouldn’t. And I don’t wear the ring here as I’m not comfortable with it on all the time. I’m about to ask what she means when I glance at Albert’s enclosure, and my heart crashes down.

It’s empty.

“Where’s Albert?” I ask, preparing myself for the worst, my entire body turning cold and numb.

I know he’s older, but he’s healthy and?—

“Oh no, nothing bad.” Eva laughs. “He’s been adopted, that’s all. Someone came in late last night and fell in love with the little guy.”

“Who wouldn’t?” I whisper.

I’m happy for Albert. I really am, no matter what my breaking heart may have to say. But I wish I’d been able to say goodbye to him. I just hope whoever has him loves him like he deserves.

Saying this to Eva is on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow the words because it makes me look weak, like I’m not made for this job. Other dogs have been adopted over the short time I’ve been here, like Petal, but Petal wasn’t with us long at all.

And it’s Albert.

I always thought of him as mine.

Which I know is wrong. I take over feeding the dogs and giving them fresh water so I have something to do.

A million questions about the person who adopted Albert rush at me, but I ignore them, push them down as best I can.

But as the day goes along, everything becomes harder. Walking the dogs isn’t the same without Albert. Neither is the dog park or playing with the others.

And every time I try to talk to Eva, who’s normally always up for conversation and loves to chat, she’s too busy.

I hurt over Albert, and my confusion over Ilya is reaching an all-time high. I don’t know if it was Eva opening that can of worms and throwing the word “marriage” into the mix, but she won’t answer when I try to clarify, to ask her more, because there’s always a phone call she has to make or a chore she needs to do or a new subject she wants to broach.

And when Jane and another volunteer arrive, she disappears into her office, leaving me alone with my misery.

Not to mention the growing feeling I’ve suddenly been sent into another reality, one where Albert’s gone and no one wants to talk.

The only highlight is when Jane discusses one of the Sunday trash TV shows, but some families coming in to see the dogs interrupt her.