This is Love by (Checkmate Duet 2)

I scowl at his nickname for my precious car. “I’m going to teach Gryff to bite you anytime you make a snide comment.”

“And then I’ll just unteach him, and when you come back, I’ll have taught him all kinds of good stuff like fetching beers from the fridge and taking out the trash.”

“Geez, don’t set your standards high or anything.” I roll my eyes as I get into the passenger side with Gryff. “You think we should drive around before going back home?”

“Are you expecting Courtney to make her move finally?” he asks, turning the key and shifting into gear.

“So, it’s that obvious, huh?”

“Not to Drew, apparently. He’s kind of blinded by the fog of Mia.”

I sigh. “So, Drew really never asked about that night with Mia?”

I see his throat tighten and I wonder if I hit a nerve. “No. I’ve offered to tell him everything, but she should really be the one to.”

“Do you think she will?”

“Honestly? No.” He shrugs. “If she tries to pull any of her usual shit, though, I’m telling him, whether he wants to hear it or not.”

I pinch my lips, wanting to ask him, but not wanting to sound like I don’t trust him. Mia has always been up to no good, but I trust Travis’ judgment.

Instead of saying anything, I distract myself with my phone and see that Courtney has sent me multiple text messages.

He has the best laugh ever. *sigh*

OMG I want to have his babies.

Would it be weird to cut a piece of his hair off and sleep with it?

Our babies would be so pretty with my blue eyes and his wild dark hair, don’t you think?

He winked at me.

I just died.

DIED.

DEAD.

“Good lord,” I murmur, shaking my head. “Courtney shouldn’t be left alone with Drew. I almost feel bad. Perhaps I should’ve warned him before we left…”

“Nah, it’s good for him.”

“She’s not usually this crazy, but she’s crushed on him since the first day they met.”

“Let me guess. Drew barely flinched.”

“Pretty much. He wouldn’t recognize flirting if it smacked him in the face, pulled his hair, and gave him a titty twister.”

“Jesus. Remind me not to piss you off.”

I shoot him a look, and he smirks at me.

I send Courtney a text.

V: Code red: We’re on our way back. If you’re naked, warn us now.

C: Oh like you haven’t seen me naked before?

V: Well, I didn’t plan on making it a habit.

C: Fine…but if you must know, Drew and I are at least an arm’s length apart, so I’d say the friend zone has been set in place. :(

“He friend zoned her,” I tell Travis, typing out my response. “If her signs were any brighter, he’d go blind.”

“Should’ve seen him in college,” he snorts. “Girls were nearly crawling at his feet, and he was just so oblivious to it.”

I nod in agreement. “I imagine a lot of broken hearts followed.”

“Yeah, that’s why this whole thing with Mia pisses me off. I wish he’d just let her go and move on. She’s bad news.”

I swallow again, fidgeting with Gryff’s collar as I think of a way to bring up that night. Figuring the best way is just to rip it off like a Band-Aid, I ask, “Has she cheated on him?” Cringing, waiting for his reaction, I watch as his fingers tighten around the steering wheel.

“She claims she didn’t, but she was with a guy when I found her.”

My blood boils, and I’m tempted to call her up myself and tell her to stay away from Drew, but knowing the conniving bitch she is, she wouldn’t, just to piss me off even more. In a weird way, it’s also comforting to hear she was with another guy, which solidifies my trust for Travis.

“Not surprised,” I say on a shallow breath.

We pull into the driveway and Travis takes Gryff from me before getting out. “Let’s take him for a walk.” He flashes a knowing smile and winks.

We silently walk hand in hand as Travis holds onto his leash with his free hand. It’s so peaceful and easy, and I almost forget Drew is in the house sulking.

“I’m really going to miss you when you leave,” he says in a soft tone. He doesn’t look at me, but I can see that his mind is going a thousand miles a minute.

“I’m going to miss you, too.” I squeeze my hand in his, letting him know everything I don’t know how to say. “Gryff will like taking all these walks with you when I’m gone.”

“He’ll be pretty big by the time you return.”

“Maybe show him a picture of me every few days, so he doesn’t forget,” I say, smiling and finally getting a laugh out of him.

“I can do that, but just know they’ll be the ones of your tits and ass.” He smirks, and I playfully bump my hip into his.