Page 5 of Heartfelt Goals

Yeah, her fantasy romance books paid the bills to keep them living here, and she would have the unexpected funeral expenses paid off in another ten months or so – just as long as it stayed a hot trend.

“So, no food?”

“Nope.”

“Do I need to go find something in the cupboard?”

“Dare ya…”

“Really?”

“I had stuffing last night and…”

“Oh my gosh, okay –okay– bad sister,” Laurel interrupted as the twinge of guilt felt more like a tidal wave. “Do not tell anyone you had instant stuffing for dinner.”

“Or licorice for breakfast?” she asked pertly, causing Laurel to grumble as she saved her document and got to her feet. “Where are you going?”

“Obviously, I’m going to the grocery. Do you want to come?”

“And do adult garbage stuff that is going to involve you griping about how expensive everything is? I swear, you sound like an old lady when you start nagging about how ‘eggs used to be ninety-six cents for a dozen’ and bring your own grocery bags.”

“It’s called recycling – and that wasn’t that long ago!” Laurel hollered over her shoulder as she pulled her long curly hair into a makeshift ponytail before shoving a cap on her head.

“No bra?”

“No tits,” Laurel muttered, patting her flat chest. “Besides, nobody is going to see me, and I never do any signings or put my face on social media.”

“Nope – it’s all a bunch of dragon schlongs…”

“Oh. My. Gosh,” Laurel gaped in horror at her younger sister who simply stared at her flatly. “Do not say that wordever again.”

“Schlooooong?” her sister mocked deliberately as her eyes danced.

“Look, do you think Ilikewriting that stuff? It pays the bills, and I swear, if you don’t stop saying that, I’m gonna change genres, and then we’ll just go back to being flat-broke. So, beforeyou say another word – you be grateful for those cerulean eyes and dragon…”

Laurel’s eyes widened as Kendall’s face exploded into a grin that could only be described as manic.

“Never mind.”

“Oh no – please continue teaching me your ways, oh Wise One. What were you saying?”

“I’m saying that you need to get a college degree so you don’t have… you know what? I’m going to the store now. Don’t open the door for anyone. Don’t cook anything. Don’t touch my computer. Don’t…”

“I get it. I get it,” Kendall waved her off. “Don’t live while I’m gone, and if the boogeyman shows up – everything is free to go except the precious laptop.”

“Kendall…”

“I know. It pays the bills.”

“Look, just relax and watch some television.”

“I’d rather read what you wrote.”

“I’d rather you didn’t,” Laurel retorted immediately as she grabbed her purse. “Wish me luck because if that black sportscar is over the line again, I’m gonna run my key up and down his driver’s side door.”

“No, you won’t.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she retorted. “Why do you think I’m in yoga pants?”

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