Page 107 of His Curvy Distraction

“We are all glad you were wrong. But he was kind of a jerk before you two got together,” Haley said. “Those notes he left on your door?”

Chelsea laughed. “Whenever he gets on my nerves, I remind him about those. He stops complaining real quick. It’s pretty much a lifetime apology.”

“Oh, you’re mean,” Haley said.

Chelsea shook her head. “Nah. He knows I’m just messing with him. We’re good.”

“Have you set a date yet?” I asked her. Derek proposed not long ago at a party in Chelsea’s backyard.

“We’re thinking about early summer,” Chelsea said.

“Whoa, that’s fast,” I blurted.

Chelsea laughed. “Yeah, it is. But it’s easier for us to do something when Jude isn’t in school. He’ll be at your camp, but we’re thinking about a long weekend away for a short honeymoon and then a family trip sometime later. My parents want Jude to stay with them when we’re gone, but I need someone to watch Dozer. There’s no way my parents could handle him.”

“I’ll do it,” Daisy said, waving at Chelsea. “I love that dog.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Chelsea said.

“Oh, please? I really would love to. He’s such a sweetheart, and I love dogs. Another thing we never had growing up. Because of the hockey tournaments, we were on the road all the time, and my parents said we couldn’t have a dog,” Daisy explained.

“Have you ever had a dog?” Chelsea asked, her face betraying her worry.

“Nope, but I love them. I can stay at your house, if that’s okay, so he’s comfortable. Natalie will help me, right?” Daisy met my gaze in the mirror.

I shrugged. “Sure. We had a dog when I was in high school. I like dogs.”

“He needs to be walked a lot. Twice a day at least,” Chelsea said.

“Chelsea, I promise you, I will do everything you ask me to do. I will take really good care of him.” Daisy smiled, pleading her case without more words.

Chelsea sighed and shrugged. “Okay. Thank you. But if you change your mind, let me know. Dr. Harris offers boarding if we have to do that.”

“Nope, I will take care of Dozer. I’ll come over before then so he can get to know me.” Daisy focused on the mirror in front of her again so Haley could finish her cut.

Chelsea smiled, but there was stress around her eyes. She focused on my hair, staying silent while the shop around us stayed busy.

When Haley turned on the dryer to style Daisy’s hair, I nodded to get Chelsea’s attention. “She’ll be great. She adores Dozer and will take really good care of him.”

Chelsea nodded. “I know. I’m anxious about leaving him. I was trying to talk Derek into going somewhere we could all go so we didn’t have to leave Dozer behind. He’s been through a lot, and it hasn’t even been a year since I’ve had him. I don’t want him to think I’ve abandoned him.”

“He’ll be so happy when you guys come home. Maybe we can meet up with Jude and your parents so they can see each other,” I suggested.

Chelsea’s eyes brightened. “That’s a good thought. I’m so ridiculous, worrying about my dog.”

“No, you’re not,” I assured her. “Dogs are a part of the family. You love him. There’s nothing wrong with that. Plus, you know your parents will take excellent care of Jude, so Dozer is the concern.”

Chelsea nodded. “It’ll be fine, though. Thank you.”

I smiled, happy I could ease her worries.

Chelsea grabbed her hairdryer to finish my hair when I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket. I ignored it, letting her start, but it rang again right away.

I held up a finger for Chelsea to stop and dug out my phone.

The hairdryer stopped.

“The pavers. Hang on. They’re painting lines at the camp today. They must want to confirm something.”

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