Page 59 of Challenged By You
Realizing Jonas is completely serious, I ignore the faces of his serene cousin and her adorable family. Then I gasp. “Holy crap! That’s the Cadillac of strollers. There’s no way…”
“What? Once you started talking baby shit and not sexting, I kinda tuned out,” Elle admits. She leans over my shoulder to catch up. “Can you scroll up? Who’s the family?”
“Hold on. You weren’t paying attention.” My fingers are flying.Jonas, that’s sweet, but that stroller retails for more than double what I was planning on spending. There’s no way I can take that from your cousin. Thank you, but no.
There’s blue dots that go before they stop. Then my phone rings with a number I don’t recognize. Something inside me tells me to take the call.
Pressing Accept, I answer warily, “Hello?”
“Trina, it’s Chelsea Parker, Jonas’s cousin. Honey, you’d be doing me a huge favor if you took this thing out of my condo. I was only going to ask $250 for it—Ian and Scott have had enough bodily incidents on the material that I feel guilty even asking for that.” Quickly she adds, “I did have the stroller cleaned though. Trust me, there’s no more slime, grime, or boy ick anywhere on it.”
Doing some rapid calculations, I realize I actually can afford the new stroller if dip into savings. Going on instinct which seems to have worked well so far today, I accept. “Then yes. Thank you so much.”
Her gentle laugh rings in my ears. “Do you want to know anything about it? The color? Features?”
“Honestly, Ms. Parker, your cousin wouldn’t have given you my number if he didn’t think the stroller was safe for my children. And that’s my top priority above all.”
“Make it Chelsea.” Her comeback is immediate. “Somehow, I suspect we’re going to get to know each other really well, Trina.”
I reach out and grab Elle’s hand. “That sounds wonderful.”
“As for payment, why don’t I just give the stroller to him? He can pass along your payment the same way? This way you don’t have to worry about adjusting your work schedule. I’ve heard you work at Seduction. “
“I’m surprised Jonas shared that.”
“It wasn’t.” Her voice turns impish. “It was Julian. Take care, Trina. I hope the…stroller works out.”
“Me too. Thank you for everything.”
“My pleasure.” We both disconnect.
Elle starts to ask a question, but before she can make a sound, I press my finger against her mouth. “Let me text Jonas first, okay? Then I’ll answer anything you want.”
Pushing my hand aside, she demands, “Including about the sex?”
My face heats before I give in. “Including about the ridiculous sex.”
“Ridiculous how?” She yanks my phone from my hand. “Ridiculous like you’re destined to remain good friends, or so damn good, you’re going to lie here on your bed touching yourself over it later.”
If she weren’t recovering from a peach allergy, I’d nail her in the stomach to get my phone back. “The second.”
With a whoop that might wake Mrs. McPhearson next door, Elle pitches my phone at me, declaring, “We need to get you a silent vibrator so the twins don’t hear.”
Even as my fingers are flying, I smirk, “If their mother can’t keep silent, what good will it do?”
Elle hoots as I press Send.How do I thank you? Chelsea is lovely.
His answer is immediate.Next Wednesday. You, the kids, and me. I’ll bring the stroller.
Will I see you before then?My fingers are tapping on the side of the phone while I wait for his answer.
Absolutely. How about I drop by tomorrow after you’ve spent the day with Mrs. McPhearson?
That sounds perfect. I’ll make dinner.
I’ll bring the antacids.
I send him an emoji where the tongue is sticking out before telling him good night.
