Page 45 of Kiss Me Forever

"Sure, but we only have these small ones left." She pointed to some that were tiny but extendable. They weren't the sturdiest ones, but it was better than nothing.

"That's fine. I'll take one."

"Here you go, miss."

"I'll have one too."

I turned around to face Travis.

"Hey, where are you going?" I asked him.

"I'm going to the general store across the street."

"So am I."

After he got his umbrella, I nodded toward the door. "Let's go together."

We both stepped out of the hotel but stayed under the glass arch.

"We're going to have to make a run for it," Travis said.

I nodded. “We’re still going to get wet. This turned into a wicked storm.”

"You know what? Let’s do this—tell me what you want, and I'll grab it for you."

So he’s protective too, huh? Figures.

"No, thanks. I need to buy some personal stuff."

"Got it." He grimaced a bit before grinning. "Didn't want to make you uncomfortable. Okay, three, two, one. Let's go."

We both broke into a run.

The umbrellas were useless. Water was getting everywhere: into my eyes, my mouth, my ears, all over my hair, not to mention all over my dress. We reached the entrance of the general store quickly, and then we shook ourselves off, as well as the umbrellas. Travis was just as soaked as me.

"Maybe we can find some decent umbrellas in the store," he said.

"Yeah, maybe," I replied.

I looked around curiously. I'd never been inside a general store in a small town. It was far bigger than I thought it would be, extending to two floors. Everything I needed was on the ground floor, which was helpful. I quickly bought a toothbrush and toothpaste. I didn't find my usual shampoo and conditioner from Garnier, so I bought one that was for sensitive scalps. I also bought tights, a tee to sleep in, and a pack with two panties. They only carried one kind—unsexy period panties—but who cared?

I went straight to the cashier. Travis was already there.

"You're quick," he said. "I already asked about umbrellas. They’re out of stock. But I got us these two plastic ponchos.”

“Thanks.”

The cashier started scanning Travis's items, and he grinned when he saw me looking. "Yeah, I know, looks like I bought the whole store. I got some stuff for Luke too. He didn't ask me to, but he's going to be grateful."

"I still can’t get over the fact that you just volunteered to fly us here," I said.

He shrugged. "Why not? I enjoy flying, and I've got more time for my family than I've had in like a million years, so I'm using it."

"You’re one of the most decent guys I've ever met," I said.

Travis chuckled. "Don't let me deceive you. Tate and Declan are the only decent ones, at least when we were growing up," he said, making air quotes around the word "decent," which made me laugh.

"Luke was always the chief troublemaker,” he continued. “Tyler, Sam, and I sometimes listened to Tate and Declan but mostly followed Luke’s lead. I would definitely not describe him as decent. More like indecent. But then, I shouldn't be saying that. I don't want to discredit him in front of a team member."

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