Page 23 of Heartfelt Goals

“It sounds like it,” she replied quietly, weirdly politeness flowing between them – and this wasn’t a stranger.

Laurel had known Dustin for years, but here he was acting like he was talking cordially with a stranger. She was trying to figure him out while still reeling at some of the things he said to Kendall… giving her complete control, supporting her.

None of it made sense.

Kendall pointed out the bags, huffing and glaring at Dustin, like he was bothering her by existing in this same space with them… and she felt tears sting her eyes.

She felt sad for her sister, who had her entire life tossed upside down when her parents died, now lived with her and trying to find her footing, only to have it all yanked out from under her again. None of this was her fault, yet Kendall was having a new life, new school, new home dumped on heragain… because of her.

Laurel was the one who fawned over Dustin for years – but to Kendall, he was just another person. An annoying person who was taking her from her home and everything she knew.

Dustin was walking back over, holding both bags and looked at her strangely.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. Just tired.”

“M’kay,” he said simply and nodded toward the door. “C’mon. I’m parked illegally, so you didn’t have to walk as far.”

“At least he admits it,” Kendall muttered. “He always parks like a douche…”

“Kendall!”

“What?!”her sister snapped back. “That black car at the condo always parked like a…wait,” she hesitated causing Laurel to come to a stop as they both saw Dustin opening the back of a different vehicle.“That’s not your car.”

Dustin was putting their bags in the back of a stunning Land Rover Defender that was sitting in the ‘No Parking’ zone with its blinkers flashing. The car was black with dark interior – and looked to be decked out with all the bells and whistles. He obviously had a thing for cars, and she hated to admit that he had fantastic taste… and froze as he looked at Laurel.

“No, it’s not. It’s your sister’s car – if she likes it,” he said simply and waved them over. Kendall’s face looked excited and a little hesitant, while she hung back, her mind racing as Dustin moved to open the passenger side door. “It’s yours if you wantthis. I think it will do okay in the snow, but if not, or you want something else – just say the word.”

“This… is mine?”

“Unless you want the Lotus?”

“I do!” Kendall interjected quickly from the backseat where she’d climbed in – reaching for Laurel’s shoulder and grabbing a fistful of her shirt to shake her. “You want the Lotus, Laurel – this one is a fancy Mom-mobile, and we want to ride in style in the sleek muscle car.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a ‘Mom’ car,” Dustin began as he climbed into the driver’s side and glanced at her, starting the vehicle. “But I thought it would make a nice family car to start unless you want something bigger. I looked at a Tahoe, but moving from a Corolla to something that huge can be intimidating. If you don’t like the color, there’s a lighter gray one at the condo with white interior…”

“What?” she whispered, shocked and looked at him – only to see him look away. “You boughttwoof them?”

“We have three spots,” he shrugged, making light of it, and pulled away from the curb. Laurel sat back, looking at everything, and then met her sister’s eyes.

“Do you like this?” she asked quietly.

“Do you?”

“It’s really nice.”

“It’s not rusted,” Kendall replied openly, and Dustin chuckled, looking at her sister in the rearview mirror.

“I don’t mind if you use the Lotus when it’s nice out, but it can get away from you if you’re not careful, Laurel. If Kendall wants to make an appearance on the first day of school, take the Lotus – but I thought this would be nice to get around town.”

“It’s lovely,” Laurel admitted as Kendall finally smiled, looking almost thrilled at the idea that someone understood she wanted to look cool and be noticed. She forgot what it was like tobe a kid, but Dustin somehow picked up on it quickly. “I’m really grateful for the car.”

“I thought it was nice – and the plates will be here in a few weeks. It’s all handled. If you have any problems, the papers are in the glovebox.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

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