Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(68)

“She’s like a sister to me. Sister trumps being an adult.” Kenny’s mouth twisted. “You’re going to break her heart.”

“She wants to get over me. This is her way of doing that.”

Kenny glared at him. “Don’t try that bullshit on me. She’s crazy about you. Has been forever. Now you’re making it worse. This is going to end badly for all of us. Have you thought about that? The consequences? You could destroy what we have.”

Jack hadn’t thought about that, nor did he want to. “I care about her. I won’t hurt her.” But even as he said the words, he wondered if he was lying. Because he couldn’t give Larissa what she wanted. Or if he could, he wouldn’t. Because he wouldn’t take the risk.

“She’ll figure out I’m not the one for her,” he said at last. “She’ll find someone else. You’ll see.”

Kenny shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re that stupid, but sure. Go ahead. I can’t stop you. But when this all hits the fan, I’ll be on her side.”

Something for which Jack could be grateful.

* * *

“I STILL DON’T understand,” Larissa said. She was snuggled in Jack’s huge bed. Percy was in his room and the chiweenies were curled up asleep on their beds in the corner of the master bedroom.

Ever since she’d arrived earlier that evening, Jack hadn’t answered any of her questions about why Kenny had come over and hit him.

“There’s nothing much to understand,” Jack told her. “Kenny’s afraid I’m going to hurt you.”

“Did you tell him this was my plan? That I’m doing my best to get over you?”

“He didn’t seem to appreciate the argument.”

At this moment, Kenny’s concern made sense. Naked and satiated from Jack’s lovemaking, she couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else. But she had to give it time. Eventually Jack would start to get on her nerves and then she would be free of him.

Jack pulled her close and kissed her. “Just let it go and be grateful he’s looking out for you.”

She studied the bruise on Jack’s jaw. “He could have hurt you. Percy said you didn’t try to defend yourself.”

“I knew I had it coming.”

Which was so like Jack, she thought with a sigh. Yup, getting over him was getting further away by the minute.

* * *

“THIS IS DANGEROUS,” Bailey said as she held on to both leashes. “You knew that and asked us to help you, anyway.”

Larissa laughed. “They’re small dogs. I think you’re safe.”

Her friend glared at her. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. Look at her.”

Up ahead, Chloe held the leash of one of the chiweenies. The eight-year-old girl and the little dog looked adorable together.

“I see a happy child and a cute dog.”

“Exactly. I’m just thinking about buying my first house. Why on earth would I take on the responsibility of a dog right now?”

“It’s not like she’s going to eat much. And having a dog will teach Chloe responsibility.”

Bailey rolled her eyes. “You’re no help. I work all day and Chloe’s in school. Is that fair to the dog?”

She had Larissa there. “You could ask Mayor Marsha how she would feel if you brought your dog to work with you.”

“That’s professional,” Bailey grumbled. “She’ll be so impressed. We’re not getting a dog. Not right now.”

“If you say so.” Larissa wasn’t concerned. There was plenty of interest in the chiweenies. “I’m not trying to push you into taking a dog.”

Bailey looked at her daughter and sighed. “You don’t have to. It’s going to happen, anyway.”

They reached the park and started along the path. The morning was warm and clear. Larissa was spending her days doing work she loved and her nights in Jack’s bed. Percy was excited about studying for his GED, and she’d helped rescue dogs in need. How could anything be better?

“Tell me about the house you’re buying,” Larissa said. “You’d said you were thinking about it but I didn’t know it had gone further.”

Bailey smiled. “It’s so cool. There’s a program in town where people can apply for a grant that gives them the money for a down payment. I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and then be interviewed by this lady at the bank. The amount of the down payment depends on my salary and credit history. Chloe and I qualified.”

“That’s great,” Larissa told her. “So you’ve found a house you like?”

“Maybe. There’s a cute little Craftsman in the older part of town. It needs fixing up, but I’m okay with that. There’s a darling upstairs bedroom that Chloe completely loves, and there’s a small study for us to share as an office.”

“Congratulations.”

“Don’t congratulate me yet. I’m still thinking about it. A mortgage is a big thing to take on by myself. It’s scary to think about.”

“It’s a lot of responsibility,” Larissa said, impressed by her friend’s willingness to handle so much on her own. For a second Larissa wondered when she’d been inclined to take on anything close. Her involvements tended to be fleeting. She gave intensely, then moved on. Dyna was her first ever pet. She certainly didn’t have a child to care for and her family’s needs were minimal. The only person she really had to worry about was herself.