Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 408: Professional Distance

Nancy tried to force herself to stay calm as she focused on the button. But leaning over him like this was far too intimate, and she felt a sudden wave of regret. She had been in such a rush; she should have made him take the shirt off first.

Wait, take it off?

The realization that Barry would be sitting there completely shirtless made her pulse spike. The thought immediately flashed back to that night on the video call, specifically the image of him stepping out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. The heat rushed to her face, her breathing hitched, and her hand slipped. The needle went straight into her fingertip.

"Ow..."

Nancy instinctively pulled back. A tiny prick like this usually wouldn't bother her, but a second later, her hand was caught in a warm, steady palm.

"Nancy."

Barry’s voice was right at her ear.

They were so close that when she looked up, she was staring directly into the depths of his eyes. The concern in his gaze made her heart skip a beat.

"I’m fine," she said, looking at the tiny bead of crimson on her finger. She gave her hand a careless shake. "It’s just a scratch. If I don't get to a hospital soon, it might actually heal itself."

Barry’s thumb brushed lightly over the back of her hand, his voice dropping to a low, tender murmur. "But I’ll worry."

Nancy felt the words settle in her chest, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Barry leaned down and pulled a first-aid kit from beneath the seat, retrieving a disinfectant wipe and a bandage. He held her hand with incredible gentleness, carefully cleaning the wound. The cool sting of the alcohol combined with the warmth of his hand felt like a feather brushing against her skin, sending a hum through her nerves.

Barry kept his eyes down, his long lashes casting small shadows against his cheek.

"Distracted by a single button."

He looked up, his gaze landing on her flushed cheeks. "What exactly were you thinking about just now?"

Nancy felt her ears begin to burn. She looked away, stammering out a quiet, pathetic excuse. "No, nothing... nothing at all."

She tried to push past the awkwardness, but he didn't let go of her hand as he carefully applied the bandage. The touch was so deliberate and the way he looked at her was so focused that it hit Nancy like a lightning bolt.

Damn it. I think I actually have a crush on the client.

The realization snapped her back to reality. Her professional ethics hit her like a bucket of cold water.

Wake up! This is Star’s guardian. He is the primary client. For a veterinarian to catch feelings for a client is the height of unprofessionalism.

Nancy instinctively raised her free hand and gave her own cheek a sharp, sudden slap.

Focus!

The gesture made Barry pause. He looked at her small, self-reproaching face, his eyes darkening with amusement. He let go of her hand, giving her the space she clearly needed. "What is it?"

"Nothing! It's nothing!"

Nancy scrambled to her feet, nearly hitting her head on the ceiling of the trailer. "The button is fixed. I... I need to go check on the crew!"

She bolted out the door like a startled animal, disappearing before the door had even settled.

The trailer fell silent, save for the faint, fresh scent she left behind.

Barry watched the door where she had vanished. He ran his thumb over the mother-of-pearl button she had just sewn back on, a small smile appearing on his lips.

The Pallas’s cat, still curled up in the corner of the sofa, tilted its head with a look of pure confusion. "Human, why aren't you chasing her?"

As if he understood the question, Barry reached out and rubbed the cat’s round head. His voice was calm and full of confidence.

"If I chase her now, I’ll just scare her off."

She was already blushing for him. She was already flustered. That was more progress than he had expected.

Barry’s gaze deepened as he scratched the cat under its chin. "One step at a time. I’ll wait for her to get used to having me around before I close the distance. By then, our clever little fox won't have anywhere left to run."

He saw the cat listening intently, even though it clearly had no idea what he was talking about, and let out a short laugh. "Like you when you’re hunting. Except—"

He paused, his tone shifting to something more solemn. "This one is special. I’m going to bring her home very carefully and keep her safe for the rest of my life."

The cat blinked its massive, round eyes and tilted its head the other way, its front paws beginning to knead the air.

"The rest of your life... is that as long as a thousand naps?"

The cat used its paws to draw a massive circle in the air, trying to grasp the scale of forever.

Barry laughed at the innocent response and scooped up the fluffy little furball. "Never mind. Why am I even telling you this?"