Page 46 of Everlasting Love

“Give Noah a hug from me and say hi to Nic.”

“I will. Make sure you show JJ the photos you took today.” He winks at me, and I burst out laughing. He means the photos of him doing a one-handed handstand on top of Crows Rock. He was so proud of himself and I have to admit his strength is impressive. However, it all fell apart when anAlameda whipsnakepopped its head out of a crevice in the rock face surprising him and he lost his balance in spectacular fashion. Of course, I captured it all on my phone. Jas will get a kick out of seeing the photos.

“I’ll send them to Nic. I’d hate for her to miss out.” I chuckle as he climbs into his car, and I throw my backpack into mine, then place my insulated cup in the console. He tosses me the bird out of his window, then reverses and drives away leaving me shaking my head. I don’t know how he did it but he just completely turned my mood around one-eighty degrees.

I grab my phone and read Shane’s messages. We’ve messaged occasionally to arrange things over the years or to check on each other, which is exactly what these texts are. So why am I reluctant to respond this time? Who cares if he made me come harder than I ever had before against the boat shed? We’re both adults. People have orgasms all the time. It was nothing special.

Yeah, right. I roll my eyes at myself at my own bullshit.

I hit respond.

Me

Yeah, we’re good

Shane

Good

I’ll see you when we get back

Can’t wait to see the transformation of the pool area

Sorry I’m not there to help

I’m glad he’s not here to help. It would have been too soon and too weird to see him tomorrow.

Me

Mom and I have it covered

Shane

Still sorry

I blow out a long breath, then toss my phone onto the passenger seat and head for home. I’m going to need my A-game to make sure I keep my cool when he returns. No more throwing myself at the sexy bodyguard. I need to take things slowly so I don’t scare the man away. Maybe if I say it enough times between now and his return, I’ll be able to stick to it.

18

VIOLET

After the amountof hiking I did at work today, I was exhausted when I got home, but when Cass called at the last minute to invite me to watch Toby play tonight, I found my second wind. It’s not often I go out on a weeknight, hell, it’s not often I go out but I couldn’t resist Cass’s invite toBrady’s Pubto watch Toby play. And while I enjoy Toby’s music and am looking forward to seeing my sister, there’s someone else I’m looking forward to seeing even more. I only hope I can control myself and not be awkward since this is the first time I’ve seen him since the wedding.

I bounce down the steps, toss my purse across my body, and find Mom curled up on the couch with her latest book which she places in her lap when she notices me. “Jas is asleep and I’m heading out. I’m not sure how late I’ll be home, so don’t wait up.” I lean down to kiss her forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

She smiles softly. “It’s so nice to see you going out. Have a great time and give the others a hug from me. Do you want me to take Jas to school in the morning so you can sleep in?”

I shake my head. “No. I like to take her on the days I can. Thanks, Mom.”

She smiles softly at me. “Okay. Enjoy yourself and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I will,” I call as I head out the door, grabbing a jacket on the way.

Climbing into my car, I head for Quinn’s place. I invited—welltold—her she was coming with me tonight. I need her to finally meet Shane so she can share her thoughts about him and whether she thinks there’s a chance he’s interested. I trust her judgment completely; years ago she told me to stay clear of Allen but I didn’t listen, and I paid the price. He had me completely convinced he’d changed his ways—how wrong I was.

As soon as I pull into Quinn’s driveway, she steps out of her front door, looking amazing in skinny jeans and a red sweater that makes her long blonde hair look like spun silk. Her dad wouldn’t let her cut her hair shorter when she was young and now that she can cut it, she doesn’t. She says she likes it long. People would be shocked to know what she does for a living when she’s dressed in regular clothes.

She drops into the passenger seat. “I thought I was going to be late. I had to rescue a rattlesnake from an elderly lady’s shed and by the time I drove far enough out of the suburbs to release it, I got caught in traffic coming home.” She finally takes a look at me and smiles. “Oh my God! We look like we’re going to a Christmas party with my red sweater and your green blouse!” We break into giggles as I reverse out of her driveway.

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