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Sure thing, why don’t I just book a flight right now—economy, of course, since that’s about all I can afford with the money in my bank account. I’m sure the hostels in Europe are lovely this time of year. I may even be able to sweet-talk my way into the top bunk if I play my cards right.
“We could stay at the condo in the Hamptons,” my mother suggests. Her use of the word “we” grates on my nerves.
Claire shakes her head. “Not exactly the low-key vibe I was thinking.”
“I suppose there are other beaches in Mexico…or Costa Rica…”
I roll my eyes at my mother’s suggestions. I bet she’d love an all-expense-paid three-month beach vacation—as if that’s something we do.
Still, I’ve never not had the excuse of working, so it may make getting away from her a little more challenging.
If I want any real break from her, I’m going to have to go somewhere she’d never want to visit.
“Why don’t I make a list, and you can—”
The idea pops into my head, and I interrupt her before she can finish. “I hear West Virginia is nice this time of year.”
At the mention of her former home state, my mother’s lip curls in disgust, but I notice Claire’s ears perking up.
“West Virginia? Now that could work…”
CHAPTER TWO
Kira
“I don’t know what’s more shocking…the fact that you are now an actual hardened criminal, you impulsively decided to adopt a dog, or that you’re finally coming to visit me after begging for over ten years.” My sister’s surprised voice echoes through the car.
She’s reacting the way I expected her to, which is why I held off on telling her my plans to visit her this summer for as long as I could. And I knew what she’d say about the dog.
She may only be five years older than me, but our lives couldn’t be more different. Which I’m reminded of every time we speak.
“Remind me why it had to be a Doberman? Were they all out of Pit Bulls and Rottweilers?”
“You know I always wanted a dog,” I say. “But Augustus wouldn’t allow it because he said he was allergic.”
“Okay…so why not get something manageable like a Yorkie or a Golden Retriever?”
Sure, a normal person probably would’ve gone that route. But the heart wants what the heart wants.
“A Doberman bit him in the face when he was a kid,” I admit. “That’s how he ended up with his sexy new nose.”
“And there it is,” she laughs, but I can barely hear her over the incessant barking that’s drilling into my eardrums.
“What the hell is it barking at?”
I glance over at the angry canine who lunges and snaps at the windshield wipers with every swipe.
She’s perched on the edge of her seat, strong muscles tight and coiled, lips curling to reveal scary white teeth.
You’d think after more than thirty hours of driving through the rain, she’d have gotten used to them by now. Instead, every swipe of the windshield wipers only seems to infuriate her more. Her attention darts between me and the sneaky blades.
“I think she’s trying to protect me from the windshield wipers.” I switch them off to test my theory. A moment later, she relaxes.
Greer lets out an exasperated sigh as I hear her tear open a fresh bag of chips. “Oh my God. You couldn’t have at least gotten a smart one?”
“Hey, just because she has a few quirks doesn’t mean she isn’t smart. Besides, she’s just doing her job trying to protect me.” I ruffle her ears playfully. “You are such a good guard dog, aren’t you, Matilda?”
Her ears perk up, and her nubby tail wags with excitement.
