Page 88 of Severed Rivalry
Me: You were a better flirt before the surgery.
Cian: I’ll work on it. Tomorrow?
Me: Sure.
Cian: {Address details}
Me: We don’t livethat far away.
Cian: We really don’t.
Cian: And you can meet Eleanor.
Me: I’d like that.
Cian: Goodnight, Angel.
Me: ’Night, Ci.
I don’t say I love you. He doesn’t either, but I feel it in my bones.
It’s not the giddy teenager thing, though that still exists.
It’s the bone-deep knowing that my soul has found its home.
And is safe.
Cian
I wake with a spring in my step and the vise still firmly shrinking my head. Eleanor and I grab a slow walk and I let the crisp spring air burn my lungs as the sun warms what little of my face is exposed.
If I consider what the neighbors must think, I’d never walk. I’m black and blue. My bandage job sucks in comparison with the professionals. My morning run has been replaced with the slowest walk in history.
Eleanor came back from Ayla’s exhausted. Franklin must’ve put her through her paces. At least she got to run and play. Though, if I’m being honest, she’s not much of a dog’s dog. She prefers humans. Oh well. Life now includes the maligator, so she’s stuck. God bless Christian for choosing the most fearless dog imaginable. I know he was thinking protection, but he probably just equipped my sister with the buddy she least needs on her hikes.
But at least Ayla will have the teeth of a well-trained assaultdog if she ever encounters another bear.
We’re walking up the driveway when a familiar SUV rounds the curve. Impeccable timing.
I walk to Sariah’s door and hold it open for her to exit. “Morning, Angel. Ready to kick today’s ass?”
I wish that sounded badass but with the missing teeth and the extra wind it comes out like a lisp.Reathy to kick tothay’s ath.I have to stop trying to sound tough until I get my teeth back.
“Morning, love. I’m ready to make today my bitch.”
Lordy, where did she come from? And can I keep her?
She exits the car, and her eyes drop to the dog sitting proudly between my legs. “You must be Eleanor.” Her eyes lift to mine. “Why do I sound so formal?”
She looks back and extends the top of her hand. “Hi, sweet girl. Have you been taking care of Ci?”
The tail swish is the welcome I wanted. “Okay,” I say, releasing her from her sit, and she rushes to Sariah’s legs, sits, and waits for the pets she knows are coming.
“Hi, Eleanor. You’re beautiful. And you have soulful eyes.”
“And I thought you only used that line on me.”
“Yours are my favorite.” She faceplants into my chest, before looking up to hold my gaze. “But hers are windows. You can see all the way to her toes in those depths.”
