“I didn’t roll my eyes. In fact, I don’t think I have ever rolled my eyes.”
“You did. Just now. After I said I met a surfer. Do you have a problem with surfers?”
“No, not at all. If I did roll my eyes, and I’m not saying that I did, but if I were to roll my eyes in response to your comment, I suppose it would be because, well I’m assuming the surfer was a man, and in that case, it’s hardly surprising that you would meet him.”
Now Ceci rolled her eyes.
“Oh,” he scoffed, “and you would roll your eyes at that. Look, I’m just going by the evidence. It stands to reason that wherever you go, thatwouldhappen.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you trying to slut-shame me?”
His eyes popped. Either he was a really good actor or he was in fact surprised by what she said.
“No,” he said. “It’s because, well, you’re you.”
She frowned. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Do I have to spell it out for you? Men like you. All men like you. I don’t think I’ve ever been around a man who didn’t like you. And I don’t mean necessarily in a …” He paused, and looked up at the sky as if he might find the answer there. Finally he looked back at her. “In an intimate way.”
“You mean sexual?”
He threw his hands up in the air. “Fine. Yes. Sexual. My point is men like you. That’s it.”
She grinned. “Do you like me?”
“Right now?” he hissed. “No, I do not.”
“Well, that’s good because the feeling is mutual. In any case, my point is not about the surfer, whom you seem so keen on talking about, but Boudica, and specifically Boudica on a surfboard.”
“Look, I have no interest in talking about this surfer or any other man you’ve—” He stopped abruptly. His cheeks crimsoned and he sighed. “What about Boudica?”
“Well, we rented a special surfboard for dogs. I can’t believe there is such a thing, but there is. We got one slim enough so Boudica could have his front paws in the water while he lay on the surfboard. And the surfer taught him to paddle. And he did.”
“Hmm. He paddled? Was he any good at it?”
“He was. He put those brawny legs of his in the water and he pulled and pulled and pulled. And boy did he move. Fast!”
“That’s interesting. It gives me an idea.”
Chapter Thirteen
Clarke
Once they’d agreed on the design of the sled-kart, they got to work. When they finished, they both stepped back to admire their handiwork.
They’d made certain to find a private location to construct it. Clarke didn’t want anyone seeing what they’d designed. Boudica and Holly were good sentries. Holly barked and Boudica growled whenever someone approached.
“What do you think?” asked Clarke.
“I think we could win.”
“Maybe,” he said, looking over at the two dogs. “Now, it’s up to them.”
He wasn’t worried about Holly. Once that foghorn blasted and the dogs started to run, she would sprint like mad. But he was concerned about Boudica. It was one thing to do that on a surfboard. Quite another to do it in this case.
“How do we get him to do it?” Clarke asked.
“Simple. Show him.”
