Page 21 of Heartfelt Goals

“Oh my gosh,” Laurel muttered, flushing. “Can you just stop? It’s not boy lust; there is no dragon-boinking, and yes – I’m feeling a little rejected, so can you take it easy on my feelings? I see my breaking point, andit’s really freakin’ close, Kendall,” she whispered, glaring at her sister and hating that her eyes were stinging with unshed tears as people around them were staring due to her sister’s colorful tirade. “The book is done and I’ve got to do a contemporary one next, so no more dragons for a while.”

“But there’s gonna be boinking?”

“Boinking sells – and pays the bills. Now, please, hush?”

“Not anymore,” Kendall challenged, lifting an eyebrow. “Now it’s your hot hockey player husband that pays the bills and…SEEEEEE?”

“Mrs. Lafreniére?”

“Oh gosh, now what?” Laurel muttered under her breath, unbuckling. “Kendall put the stuff down and get your bag.”

“Why? Where are we going?”

“We’re moving seats and…”

“Mrs. Lafreniére, would you like your mimosa now?” the attendant said gently, smiling. “Please buckle up. The captain is going to be taking off shortly, and it’s our goal to make your trip as pleasant as possible. Can I get you and your sister something… a blanket? Warm nuts?”

“Ooooh,” Kendall practically purred.

“Oh gosh,” Laurel grimaced, sinking down in her seat in sudden dawning horror at the gleeful way her sister put something so innocent together with something filthy. The kid probably needed to talk to a counselor instead of delving intomaking everything and anything filthy in an ‘effort to help her’… which Laurel did not ask for help from a child.

Atwistedchild.

“I’d love somewarm nuts– and my sister will take as many as you can give her.Eh? Eh?You can putthatin one of your smut-filled books, Laurel. Like you always say – sex sellsandpays the bills. If your husband didn’t buy these warm nuts, they are allbecause of you, sweet sister, and all that delicious dragon-boinking you write in your books.”

Laurel cussed under her breath before sinking down further and hiding behind a menu as at least five people’s head swung around to stare at her in shock.

“You’re grounded.”

“You can’t ground me – I’m your sister.”

“Fine – no internet.”

“That’s not yours to dole out either – that probably is controlled by his hotness,Little Boy Blue.”

“I’ll make sure he cuts you off.”

“Ha! You two are barely talking – and he’s your husband.”

Laurel immediately grabbed her headphones, yanking them on her head, pulled her cap down, tossed a blanket over her like she was cold, and pretended to listen to the television… instead she was thinking of how to get her sister to stop taking the ‘shock and awe’ route in public – and unfortunately, Kendall was right.

Theywerenot talking.

Five hours later, mentally exhausted and dreading the taxi ride to the house, the duo disembarked the plane among the crowds and made their way slowly towardbaggage claim, where they planned on getting their things – and then grabbing a ride.

Laurel was a little nervous about the language barrier and had the address of the place. Supposedly, everything was handled by Dustin, and all she had to do was go to the desk to meet the office manager to get the keys to the new condo.

It was a little bit of a relief to be meeting a condo manager again – and removed the tension and pressures of buying something permanent… whennone of thismarriage was. If Dustin had picked out the condo and she hadn’t signed anything, then it was his if she ever got to a point where she couldn’t handle this anymore.

… And drew to a stop as the crowd seemed to part.

Her eyes met his across the room.

“Ughhhh –again?” Kendall groaned, sighing dramatically. “Does he have to be, like, everywhere we go? I mean, the googly eyes you two give each other while saying ‘no’ all the time is enough to give me whiplash – I swear.”

Dustin was walking toward them, his face expressionless and his eyes watching them almost warily.

“What are you doing here?”

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