He shook his head. “It’s sitting there collecting dust. You’d be doing me a favor.”
Not believing him, she arched a brow, but didn’t argue. “We’ll see.”
His phone rang, and he inwardly groaned when he saw his boss’s number. “Work calls. I need to finish this report by tonight.”
“I have to get back in, too.” Her gaze darted to their hands. “Thanks for being my shoulder to cry on.”
“That’s what friends are for.”And maybe more than friends one day soon.“Do you have any plans tonight?”
“Spoiling Roxie and showering her with love.”
“Think she’s up for a trip?”
Rachel’s brows furrowed. “Possibly. What do you have in mind?”
“There’s a drive-in movie theatre an hour south.”
“I appreciate the thought, but I don’t think she’d want to ride an hour for that.”
He winked. “They also happen to serve the best burgers and milkshakes in the state. Chance loved them as a special treat.”
Her lips curved to a smile. “Now I’m following. She’d love that.”
“Pick you up at six?”
“Oh no.” Her smile vanished. “She can’t have anything to eat or drink after eight. That might cut it too close.”
“I forgot about that.” He thought on the spot of other options. “Frankie’s has an outdoor dining area that allows dogs. They’re burgers are comparable, and I doubt Roxie would notice the difference.”
“Probably not.” She chuckled, then pulled her hand away and stood. “Six is perfect.”
He stood up and nodded. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Chapter Eleven
“It’s not a date.” Rachel balanced the phone between her ear and shoulder while she dug through her drawer.
“Sure, it’s not.” Tracey’s voice on the other line held a teasing lilt.
“We’re taking Roxie out for a night of fun before her surgery. There’s nothing romantic about it.” None of her shorts or capris spoke to her and she closed the drawer.
“Then why are we having this conversation?”
Rachel pictured her sister standing with one hand on her hip. The miles apart didn’t change Tracey’s predictability. “I don’t want to look like I tried too hard and have him think I thought it was a date.”
Tracey burst into laughter. “You’ve got it bad for this guy.”
“That’s beside the point.” She plopped down on her bed and tucked one leg under her. “Even if I did like him, my focus is on Roxie. I need to be there for her.”
“That’s an excuse and you know it.” Tracey sobered. “If anybody can multitask and manage several major events happening at one time, it’s you. There’s no reason you can’t start a new relationship while Roxie recovers.”
She harrumphed and lamented that her sister knew her so well. “He’s different, Trace.”
“I can tell by the way you talk about him.”
“What if I blew it already?”
“Didn’t you tell me he dropped everything and came to see you earlier when you got the news?” Confusion raised Tracey’s voice a pitch.
