Flirting with Forever by Jennifer Bernard

Author:Jennifer Bernard [Bernard, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945944727
Publisher: Jennifer Bernard

Twenty-One

“Are you trying to steal my dog’s affection?” Chrissie asked Ian.

He was driving her—in his Mercedes this time—in the direction of Yatesville. Shuri was in the backseat, enjoying the brand-new chew toy Ian had brought for her. It was shaped like a helicopter. Chrissie had no idea where Ian had found it, but it was perfect. “Because I won’t let her go without a fight.”

Ian’s eyebrows drew together in a perplexed frown. ”I’m not trying to come between you and Shuri, I promise.”

Ever since she’d accepted his invitation to a “surprise,” he’d sounded nervous. And then he’d presented Shuri with that gift, and her heart had just about melted.

Chrissie turned all the way around so she could feast her eyes on Shuri’s blissful communion with the chew toy. “Do you think any human can love anything as much as a dog loves a silly toy?”

“That’s a good question. Should I answer it as a neurologist? Because dogs’ brains are constructed differently.”

Chrissie stroked Shuri’s fur, but her dog barely noticed, she was so caught up with the helicopter. “It was more of a rhetorical question. I’m pretty sure the answer is no, speaking as an adult woman who’s seen her share of heartbreak.”

She turned around and settled back in her seat. Ian turned down the gravel road to Yatesville. She’d been back a few times since that first momentous visit, and each time it had gotten easier. The last time, she’d borrowed a truck and taken a load of junk to the dump. It had felt good, moving energy around like that.

This time, her stomach only clenched a tiny bit. Who knows, maybe the time would come when a visit to her childhood home wouldn’t make her at all queasy.

“I heard that Bo’s an official Desperado crew member. Is he excited for their first trip?”

“Oh yes. He’s leaving tomorrow. He’s been wearing those oilskins in the shower to break them in. It’s not working.”

She giggled at the thought. “He’s going to have an incredible adventure. How’d you get your sister to agree?”

“It was difficult. She was a firm ‘hell no’ when the conversation started. But I know how Elinor’s mind works. She lets her fears control her. I listed off all the things he’d be safe from on the boat—drugs, serial killers, that sort of thing—and by the end she agreed that the Desperado might be the best place for him. He’ll be under constant supervision with limited opportunities for breaking his neck on a skateboard or a waxed Frisbee.”

“That’s,” she shook her head, marveling, “kind of twisted, actually.”

“I know. I didn’t like it, but I promised Bo that I’d stand up for him. I tried to point out that he’s nineteen and can make his own decisions, but that wasn’t going anywhere. I had to dig deeper.”

“Well, good for you. I hope Bo’s grateful to you.”

“He is. He called me his champion. I was touched.”

She eyed him as he focused on the road ahead. There was something on his mind. At first she’d thought he was asking her out, which would be an automatic no.

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