Page 38 of Tinder Embrace
I smirked.
I felt lighter knowing Davis would go with me to Spokane. With Davis by my side, maybe my luck would finally change. Everything I wanted was within my grasp.
Sophie: I feel lucky already.
Davis: Get ready for me to shamrock your world.
I burst out laughing, surprised and pleased that he’d made the effort to tease me. The light-hearted response seemed out of character for him, but I chose to take it as another sign that he was into me.
Sophie: Promises, promises.
Chapter 16
Sophie
Friday after school, I spotted Jo at the grocery store. Even from the back, it was easy to recognize her in her signature work overalls, her hair caught up in a no-nonsense bun at her nape.
"Jo! How was your conference?" I asked. "You didn't come back married, did you?"
She rolled her eyes at my teasing. "The wildest thing I did was beer tasting," she promised.
"That's a shame," I said, tutting gently.
"I hearyouhad some excitement while I was away."
I flushed under her examination. Could she see the crush on her brother coming out my pores?
"Yeah, Bee-gonia and I had a small mishap. I appreciate you letting me stay in your room to recover."
"I'm glad you're okay."
I shrugged, burying my misgivings about flying again under a layer of casual grace. "Davis is going to help me get my burner to Spokane to get checked out on Saturday. I'm sure I'll be up and flying again in no time."
"I heard," she said.
Her tone was mild enough, but the underlying edge made me examine her more closely.
"You're okay with it?" I asked.
"With you crashing? No. You're my friend, and that sounds terrifying. With you dating my brother? I'm getting used to the idea."
I wrinkled my nose, ready to defend my crush, but she waved a hand at me before I could speak.
"I'm not trying to warn you off. It's just that Davis doesn't have the best track record with relationships. He's a little like our dad that way."
"What way?" I asked.
I'd never met their dad. He'd retired before I moved to Campfire. My information on Jo and Davis's family was sparse. I knew theirmother had left decades ago. Their aunt lived in town, but she was the only relative I'd met.
Jo sighed. "I shouldn't have said anything. It's not my story to tell." She placed a gentle hand on mine. "Listen, forget I mentioned it. Enjoy your date with Davis. I think you'll be good for him."
Her smile was strained around the edges, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to hear whatever she was holding back.
But she wanted me to hear it from Davis.
I forced a smile. "No problem."
Navigating the landmines of dating Jo's brother was going to take some time to figure out. Putting her in the middle wasn't fair, and I wouldn't push.
