The truth of it was, she cared. Her thoughts flashed to early this morning when he’d found release inside her, and she’d savored the way the muscles along his torso tensed as he rode it out. She’d not known she could want someone the way she wanted him.

Those women probably didn’t know he had a girlfriend, and they certainly didn’t know his girlfriend was eavesdropping on their conversation, she told herself. Olivia could feel the heat rising up her neck and the sweat blossoming on her palms.

Before she knew what was happening, the two women headed to the back of the room, planting themselves in front of Gabe and Fidel.

Even from fifteen feet away and in a crowd of other people, Olivia heard enough to make her stomach flip. “We just wanted to tell you how moved we were by that amazing rescue of yours.” They sounded like chattering birds in mating season, introducing themselves and gawking over how terrible it would’ve been if he hadn’t broken through the bolt in time.

Olivia cleared her throat and did her best to focus as the reporter ushered Pepper and her owner into position.

“It gets easier after awhile,” Tess said, offering her a sympathetic smile. “Believe me.”

“I don’t…” But she stopped herself. She knew, and clearly Tess knew too. The thing was, Tess’s tone was lined with both compassion and understanding. Olivia had heard that Tess, the newest shelter employee, was dating the Red Birds’ third basemen. For the most part, Gabe was just getting proposals in the comments section of a YouTube video. Tess was dating an actual celebrity. “Thanks, Tess. Everything’s just happening so fast, you know?”

“It’s been my experience that some of the things that matter most hit you before you even realize they’re happening.”

Olivia forced her shoulders to relax. “I won’t disagree with you there.”

“And if it helps,” Tess said, dropping her voice, “there’ve been girls here doing their best to flirt with him ever since Dr. Washington first introduced him. But until you, I never spotted an ounce of flirt coming off him in return.”

Olivia brushed Tess’s arm. “Thanks. That sounds like him, but it’s nice to hear it from someone else. And honestly, I get it. You can’t blame a girl for trying.”

She was about to ask about Mason, Tess’s boyfriend, but all of a sudden everyone was getting quiet and Pepper was being asked to sit for a treat as the cameraman panned in on a close-up of her. The laid-back dog munched a treat and wagged her nubbin of a tail in hopes of another as the reporter dove into her story, making quick work of bringing her tagline into her spiel early.