I think about her shapely legs, and tracing my lips up her inner thighs. Heat moves below my belt, and I wonder what she might say if I suggested we try again.
Before I can think myself out of it, I take out my phone. My thumbs fly quickly over the screen, and I hitsend.
My chest is tight, and fever is in my brow.What the hell did I just do?Rubbing my hand over my stomach, I exhale a chuckle. I don’t know, but I’m not sorry.
15
GINA
Owen Stone was like a ball of fire at my back all evening.
He sat in that chair behind me in those loose, faded jeans and dark gray T-shirt that could barely contain his broad chest just watching us.
Haddy’s comment, Heather’s comment, that silly tarot reading, all of these things swirled around in my mind, and it almost made me believe… Until I saw that dumb text from idiot Baxter still on my phone, reminding me just how bad it can be.
Swiping my finger, I deleted it.
Thankfully, I have the dogs. Dogs are so loyal and trustworthy. They’re better than people.
A dog would never pretend to love you, then disappear without a word. Dogs work hard to make you proud. They sense when you’re sad and put their head on your lap or snuggle beside you.
In a way, they’re a lot like little kids.
Maddie is adorable doing her best to train Ladybird, and I don’t have the heart to tell her some dogs just aren’t cut out to be show dogs. Even when they are, it takes years of training, usually starting from the time they’re puppies.
It’s possible we could get LB to that point, but I’m concerned Mads needs to grow several inches first.
Stepping out of the shower, I quickly dry my body with the towel, making sure the bathroom door is securely closed. Spanky has been less of a prankster since Ladybird showed up, but he still can’t resist snatching a towel.
I open the door carefully, peeking my head out, so I don’t run into any of our house guests. Then I dash across the hall into my bedroom and shut the door—again,securely.
Lord knows I don’t need Ladybird dashing in and stealing mypersonal massagereither. Of all the things these dogs have done. Maybe they are conspiring to get us together…
Silly thought.
I’ve just pulled on my thin, cotton sleep pants and a white tank when my phone lights up on the bed. For a second I freeze. If it’s that stupid Baxter again… but I blocked him.
My shoulders relax, and I pick up the device, expecting it to be Haddy trying to pull me into another hockey scheme. My eyes flash when I see the text.
Owen
John is wondering if Kendall might be available tonight.
I gulp air. My heart beats hard in my chest, and I’m having trouble inhaling.What is happening today? Is Mercury in retrograde?
Standing in the center of my room, I read and re-readinghis words, trying to figure out what he means and how to reply. Finally, I just ask.
Gina
Available for what?
Owen
John would come to her, but it might be less noticeable if she came to him.
My eyes drift to the wall my bedroom shares with Haddy’s old room. They’re not paper-thin, but I can hear the occasional bark of a dog or cheer of a kid from the movie they’re watching.
With trembling fingers, I reach out to open my door. The hall is dark with only the faintest, flickering light coming from beneath the room where Heather and Maddie are staying. I look left, down the hall to the yellow light shining beneath Owen’s door.
