Page 72 of Until It Was Real

He barks again.

Rhett kneels next to me. “Don’t get too close to him. He’s still a wild animal.”

“I know. I’ve been researching seals ever since you told me about Sammy.”

Sammy barks.

“Sorry, Sammy boy. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

He makes a chirping noise.

“I think he likes me.”

“Of course, he does. All the animals adore you.”

I grin up at him. “I am pretty adorable.”

His gaze drops to my mouth. “Yes, you are.”

His head descends toward mine but before our lips can meet, Sammy growls. I giggle. “I don’t think Sammy approves of us kissing.”

“Sammy,” Rhett grumbles. “You can’t steal Dakota away from me.”

Sammy whistles.

“You are the funniest seal I’ve ever met. Although, I’ve never actually met another seal. My high school class went to an aquarium once, but I didn’t get to go since my foster parents couldn’t afford to pay the twenty-five-dollar entry.”

“I’ll take you to an aquarium. There’s a nice one about an hour away.”

I pat Rhett’s thigh. “It’s not your job to make up for all the things I missed growing up.”

“Don’t care. I’m taking on the job whether you want me to or not.”

“Did you hear, Sammy? Mr. High and Mighty thinks he’s my protector.” I lean close to whisper to him. “He’s also controlling.”

Sammy whistles again.

“I don’t approve of controlling men either,” I tell him.

Rhett squeezes my hand. “I’m trying not to be controlling.”

“He needs to try harder,” I tell Sammy.

“Was your late husband controlling?”

I wait for Sammy to interrupt but he appears as curious as Rhett. Darn it. I hate admitting what a fool I was. But this is Rhett – the man I’m falling for – and I’m keeping enough secrets from him.

I blow out a breath and admit the truth. “My dead husband controlled our finances. Whenever I asked questions, he told me not to worry.” And there was a lot to worry about.

“I’m sorry. I promise to try harder.”

“Thank you. And thank you for not pointing out what a fool I was.”

“You weren’t a fool. You were…Crap,” Rhett swears before jumping to his feet.

“What? What’s wrong?”

He points to a car speeding down the road. It’s aiming straight for us. My heart lodges in my throat. Oh no. They’re going to hit Sammy. Rhett waves his arms at the car.

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