Page 81 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck

“This place is pretty much Dullsville,” said Drest. “I’m not seeing any sign of—”

At that moment, a massive black dog came running across campus. It was going full barrel, directly at them. It jumped into the air, ready to attack.

“Tor-rrr…no!” yelled a tall woman who had short, bright purple hair. “I said no! Stop it now or…”

The dog landed and sat, still growling, but its gaze was on Stratton. Not Drest.

Sorely lacking for humor in his life, Drest couldn’t help but laugh—a lot. “Wow. He really doesnotlike you.”

Purple Hair and Stratton ended up face-to-face and for a minute, neither said a word. They just stared at each other.

Drest’s laughter faded, and he thought his cousin might kiss the young woman.

“I’m so sorry. Did he bite you?” asked Purple Hair.

Stratton did some kind of weird touching of the woman’s face as he stared at her as if mesmerized.

Drest debated on shaking him to his senses but was honestly enjoying the show too much to stop it. “She asked you a question.”

“How?” Stratton responded.

The dog tried to attack Stratton again but, instead, knocked over the young woman.

Stratton caught her like some kind of hero on a romance book cover.

The way the woman stared up at Stratton said his chivalry had not gone unappreciated. “Th-thank you.”

Drest nearly covered his face with his hands. He wasn’t sure he could watch any more of this. Secondhand embarrassment for how much his cousin did not have his shit together at the moment left Drest cringing for him.

“Are you okay?” asked Stratton.

“Yes,” said Purple Hair.

And then they kissed—kind of.

Drest just stood there, stunned.

The entire event was odd, and strangely, Drest didn’t like seeing Stratton about to make out with the young woman. Drest felt protective of her. Like no man needed to have his hands on her at all, cousin or not. Drest nudged his cousin. “You can probably let go of her now. I think she’s got her feet under her again.”

“Let go of her?” asked Stratton.

Drest whispered to Stratton. “You’ve got her locked against you.”

“I do?” asked Stratton. He let go of her.

The woman didn’t move away. She stared at Stratton. “Do I know you?”

“Yes,” stammered Stratton. “I mean no.”

“Oh, are you sure?” she asked.

As the pair backed away from one another, Drest calmed and then went to the large dog. He bent near it. The dog reminded him greatly of Torid’s dog form. “You’re a big boy, aren’t you? I once knew another rottweiler who was as big as you.”

It growled and then trotted off, only to then pee on one of the gargoyle statues.

“I’m so sorry,” said Purple Hair. “I swear, he’s never charged someone, wait, that’s a lie. He has. I haven’t actually let him eat apersonyet though.” Her attention snapped to the dog and she cocked her head to the side. “What?”

Drest perked. That, too, reminded him of Torid and the way Astria used to be able to hear the goblin’s thoughts no matter what form he was in.

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