Dr. Broderick

“He’s great. Eating better and more active now. Which is good ‘cause I do like to take him for a morning run.” He said with a smile. “All credit goes to you of course.”

“That’s good to know. I was worried about him, but told you all he needed was a bit of time and love.” Olivia smile, glad to know the dog was doing much better since she saw him last. “Oh please, it’s all on him. All I did was show him the way.”

“Ah, see, this is why we haven’t met.” Riley nodded. “I don’t have any pets, unfortunately; although, I’ve really been wanting to get myself a dog. Are your customers good conversationalists?”

“Really? Everyone should have a pet, no matter what it is. Do you work too much? That can be slightly a problem if you don’t spend enough time at home.” Olivia said, chuckling at the woman’s next words. “It would be safe to say not all of them are, sadly. But I try to be as friendly as possible. Ease up some nerves while sticking a thermometer up their butts isn’t an easy task.”

“You know, I’m not exactly sure. Somewhere between ten minutes and ten years.”

“Oh, wow. You are really gone, aren’t you?”

“Okay. Okay. Toaster. Backscratcher. Hair tie. Lampshade.”

“Easy. I always burn my fingers in the morning retrieving my toasts. One time I flinched and knocked a jar of orange juice on the floor, the whole thing splashing on my new white shoes. I had a backscratcher, a dog at work got it and while I tried to take out of his mouth, I pulled too strong and ended up falling against a metal cabinet, that resulted on a huge bruise on my back. Hair ties are always, always being tore, that is enough to hurt anyone on it’s way. The lampshade was old and on a more...interesting night, I knocked the whole thing and a piece of the metal tore and scratched my shoulder. I still have the scar from it.”

A girl still has to stay in shape, yeah?

I guess a girl has to no matter what indeed.

“I’m not gonna die from a shot glass. Did you have a bad accident or something with one?”

“I always have accidents, you name all the things. I probably had one with each.”

“I guess so, I’m sure you can always fix yourself up, doc.” Nate said with a smile, recognizing she was his dog’s vet. 

“I don’t think that is how it works, though. I can do wonders to your dog, but myself? Not so much.” Olivia chucked, remembering exactly where she recognized him from after what he said. “How is he doing, by the way?”

“Oh.” His brows furrowed a bit as his gaze landed on the guy again. “Well, that’s not that great of an obstacle, is it?”

“Really?” Olivia asked, clearly surprised. “The fact he is clearly married don’t set you off about it at all?”

“Was it?” Jordan laughed, “I mean, thanks?”

“I guess? I don’t know.” Olivia said, shaking her head as she laughed. “That was too odd, wasn’t it?”

“You’re right, there’s a good chance we’ve seen each other.” Riley offered a smile before pulling out the very stool she’d tripped over, taking a seat. “What work keeps you so busy you can’t have conversations with people, Olivia?”

“Or not. Who knows what happens.” Olivia shrugged, mimicking Riley’s smile as she watched the blonde take a seat next to her. “The type of work that makes me talk to animals all day instead. I’m a veterinarian.”

“But to get that level of achievement…it could be worth the injury.”

“What if there is no story to tell in the end and the injury turns out to be a little too much?”

Stick around? She might. Anyone who could keep up with her completely random topics, even after watching her stumble of solid objects, was worth getting to know a little better. Riley took the proffered hand, giving it a quick shake. “I’m Riley. In a town this small, I’m surprised we haven’t met, yet.”

Olivia shook her hand, always keeping a smile for the blonde. “I’m Olivia. Nice meeting you, Riley. Seeing one another, is one thing. Holding a conversation, that is different. But I suppose work is the one to blame for that.”

“Is that a challenge I hear?”

“That is a challenge you hear. Only my money?”

“I didn’t mean to, I apologize.” Nate said, helping the woman to steady herself. “Are you okay? I really am sorry.”

Olivia nodded, allowing the man to help her up. “I am, it’s okay. It was more a scare than anything, it could’ve always been worse, right?”

Look, the rest of my day is spent being fabulous and beautiful. I only have time for yoga in the evenings.

Who needs Yoga when you can be fabulous and beautiful like that?

“I’m taking your maybe as a yes.” Riley returned Olivia’s smirk, holding it for only a moment before it spread into a full-blown smile. “I can always buy new shoes. Toes, on the other hand, are a little harder to come by. Honestly, I think I’ll live. But thanks for watching out for me.”

“Stick around and you might know what it is.” Olivia shrugged, chuckling at Riley. “Depends, It could be one of those shoes that are irreplaceable. But let’s hope the shoe is alright and the toes are there somewhere in the way too.” The brunette nodded, holding out her hand. “I’m Olivia.”