Page 27 of Wish You Were Mine

I snorted. “She tossed a drink in my face. I think everyone noticed.”

He continued to stare at me. “There’s more to it than that. All the arguing you two do is a weird type of foreplay, but it’s been different lately. Something is changing.”

“It’s not like that. There’s nothing between us. I’d never…”

My breath started to come in rough pants. If Connor had noticed my attraction to Summer, did that mean others had too?

I’d hoped to have more time to get my head around whatever was happening, and to remind myself of why I needed to keep my distance. But if everyone in town was talking about us, I was screwed. I wouldn’t have any time to figure out my own feelings.

“Hey, calm down.” Connor clapped his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t think anyone else noticed.”

“Other than Blair,” I muttered.

He inclined his head. “Maybe. But it would be easier for him to see since he’s been out of town. You know how it is, it’s harder to perceive change when it’s gradual.”

“Then how come you did?” I asked.“And why aren’t you angry?”

He shrugged. “I’m around you less than the others too, and I’m not angry because you can’t help the way you feel. As far as I know, you haven’t done anything I need to be angry about, right?”

“No,” I said quickly. “I haven’t.”

“Good.” He pursed his lips. “You might want to be more careful, unless you want people asking questions.”

I sighed, slowly regaining control of my breathing. “You’re right. Again.”

He smirked. “I know. That said, there’s another option too.”

I frowned. “What?”

“You could get your shit together and do something about whatever you feel for my sister.”

My heart almost stopped. “I’m not the right kind of guy for her.”

He shrugged. “If you say so.”

“Everyone always says so.” Or at least, that’s how it felt. Surely, Connor had said something along those lines at some point too, even if I couldn’t quite recall it now.

He studied me. “I never realized you were such a rule follower. Do whatever you think is best. You okay to keep biking?”

“Yeah.”

“Great.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and backed away. “Remember what I said. Either do something, or don’t, but don’t let other people’s opinions be what stops you.”

He strode away, whistling to himself, leaving me to wonder what the hell I was supposed to do now.

13

SUMMER

“Is she going to be all right?” Helena Smith asked, wringing her hands nervously.

“I believe so.” I finished palpating her spaniel’s abdomen and glanced at the clock on the wall. The Saturday morning clinic was almost over. Helena and Rose were my last clients. “I need to run a test, but I’m pretty sure that Rose is going to be a mother.”

Helena’s face creased into a brilliant smile. “Really?”

“Mmhmm. I’ll let you know in just a few minutes.”

Sure enough, with a quick test, I was able to confirm that Helena and Rose were soon to welcome a litter of puppies into their home.

---