Tempting Perfection

“What’s wrong, Ms. Wade?”

Frank came up beside me and looked in. “Oh dear. Is this your room?”

“Yes. And do you see why Kurt has driven me to get a dog?”

“Maybe.”

All the Reverence stuff had come here. George looked up at me. “When you get a chance, pee on Kurt’s favorite pants. I promise you won’t be in trouble, George.”

George’s mouth opened and his little pink tongue stuck out. I swore he was smiling at me in agreement.

“Sawyer, please hurry. Kurt’s stepped out of the building and is talking to Waldo.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Text Waldo and tell him to stall Kurt! He’s in on it, too. He’ll know why.”

I heard a faint chuckle.

I rushed to throw everything into my room. The mess would have to wait. I threw a blanket and a toy in the crate before grabbing the dog. “Okay, George. You need to go in here and be super quiet until we get down the road, okay? If not, Mr. Meanie may make you leave since this is his bus. So be super quiet. You don’t want to be an orphan dog.”

I gave George a hug and put him in the crate. He circled twice and then lay down.

Being a dog parent was easy. I had this in the bag. I grabbed a magazine from my purse and dashed to the living room to plop on the couch at the moment Kurt came up the steps. Poor Frank looked like he might have a heart attack as he tried to get back to the driver’s seat. His jacket caught on the knob of the door that led to the front. He barely got it freed.

Whew.

As Kurt ascended, his eyes connected with mine. My stupid heart did that pitter-patter thing. And I swore Kurt’s blue eyes lit up. He was freshly showered and wore a vintage T-shirt and jeans. He did sexy casual very, very well.

I tried to remain calm. “Hey, stranger. How’s it going?”

“What did you do?” Kurt scanned the room before his eyes landed on me.

Innocently, I smiled. “What? Why would you think I did something? I just got here. Nice digs, by the way.”

“Frank?”

“Yes, sir?” Frank came from the front, his eyes wide as saucers.

Subtle, Frank. We would have to work on his accomplice skills.

“Were you here when Sawyer got on the bus?”

I could tell Frank was seconds away from folding like a cheap suit. Distract. I cocked my eyebrow as poor Frank broke into a sweat. “Listen, what in the world could I do?” Deflect. “I see my excellent bedroom décor made it here.”

Kurt smirked. “I knew you would miss your sheets and bedspread.”

I dramatically wiped my brow. “I don’t have to worry about losing sleep now. Thank you.”

Behind Kurt, Frank’s shoulders sagged as he visibly relaxed. He gave me a thumbs-up and said, “We’re going to pull out, Mr. Hendrix, if that’s all.”

“Sounds good, Frank. Thanks for coming on this trip with us.”

A few seconds later, the bus began to move. I shifted on the couch and opened my magazine. “It’s like a house on wheels. Home sweet home for the next three months.”

“Are we good?”

I glanced up and watched him for a second. He was clearly concerned. All his attention was on me.