16

I'm sitting behind the counter, filling out charts and talking shit on the phone with my sister-in-law about my brother, when she comes in.

Why do Mondays have to suck so hard?

I tell Alice that I'll call her back and decide to act like I don't realize who it is darkening my doorstep. I drop my phone on the desk and put on my best professional smile. "Welcome to Swan's Vet Clinic. How can I help you?"

"Bella." Makenna sneers.

She and I have never been on the best of terms, so her attitude isn't surprising. It's the evil glint in her eye that catches me off guard. She knows. I swear gossip in this town spreads like fucking wildfire. We haven't even gone on a date yet, so I don't understand what her problem is. Then again, she's never been overly friendly toward me, and you did say she was crazy.

Maybe she's stalking you.

"Makenna. I didn't know you had a pet."

Her eyes roam my body, taking in my scrubs and Converse like I'm wearing dog shit. I look down because technically I could be. Nope, I'm squeaky clean.

"I don't. I just wanted to come and talk to you."

Uh-oh. I play stupid and busy myself with organizing the desk. "What's up?"

"You need to back off. Eventually, he's going to realize that we had a good thing going, and he can't do that with you sniffing around."

"I'm sorry. Who?"

She rolls her too-big-for-her-face eyes and huffs. "Edward. I heard you clung to him like a psycho Saturday night. Just because your boyfriend broke up with you doesn't mean you can go after another girl's man."

I can't help it. I snort. "According to Edward, the two of you are no longer together and haven't been for a while. He's a big boy, so he can decide who he wants to hang out with. I'll back off when he tells me to."