The Conundrum of Collies (Love & Pets #6) - A.G. Henley Page 0,42

a while when I get to know a new guy. He’s too this, or not enough that, and I’m not sure he’s quite right.

But . . . the clock is ticking. Not my body clock. I hate that expression. Plenty of women a lot older than me marry and have children. I mean that my birthday is in two weeks, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m being too darn picky. Jude really is sweet . . . and there’s daunting item ten on my list.

I’m supposed to be falling in love with someone. Why did I put that on there? Because I’d been twenty-five at the time and assumed it would be easy by the time I was thirty. Stupid Stevie.

Mom swings into the driveway a few minutes late and harried as usual. She’s already talking before I even get the door open.

“So sorry, Stevie Sunshine. I could not get out of bed this morning. I was up late working on a contract, and you know I need at least seven hours.”

“I know. It’s okay.” I kiss her cheek. “I’m sure Tam and Dean won’t mind. Do you know where they’re going? They didn’t tell me.”

It’s their last Adventure Thursday of the summer, so I assume it will be something extravagant. I’m planning to take Jazzy to the museum, and then out back to the park to play in the fountain and eat a picnic lunch.

“No, I have no idea.” Mom answers quickly. A little too quickly.

I glance at her. Why in the world wouldn’t she tell me where they were going if she knew? I have no idea. I don’t know much these days.

We pull into the driveway, and I get out, then stop, head tilted. Logan’s car is here. I look at Mom and point at it with a questioning expression.

She shrugs, but a way-too-innocent expression takes over her face. “I have no idea why he’s here, hon. Let’s go in and find out.”

Inside, the living room is mysteriously empty. Tamara, Dean, Jazzy, and Logan are nowhere to be seen. I walk toward the kitchen with Bean trailing and almost have a stroke when they all pop up from behind the kitchen island.

“Surprise!”

I grab my chest and step back. “What the heck is going on? What are you doing here, Logan? Surprise for what?”

“It’s your birthday, Aunt Stevie! But I want to go on Adventure Thursday, too.” She whines the last part and grabs her dad, peering up at him hopefully.

Dean groans. “We’ve told you, Jazzy. They wouldn’t let you. You’re too young and you don’t weigh enough. And even if you weren’t either of those, Mom and I wouldn’t be comfortable letting you skydive yet.”

I gasp. “We’re going skydiving?”

Tamara swats her husband. “Dean, you ruined it.” She turns to me, shaking her head. “Surprise! We’re taking you skydiving for your birthday. Mom’s babysitting Jazzy and Bean. We’re all going, and Logan already paid for your dive, so you can’t back out.”

I cover my mouth and gasp. “Oh, thank you! But it’s so expensive. Are you sure?” My eyes find Logan.

He smiles his familiar smile, and the warmth I see there reassures me. He wants to do this. For me. For my bucket list birthday. What an amazing friend he is. I hug him, holding on longer than I probably should. When I pull back, everyone is staring. I move away quickly.

“What do I need?” I say.

“To get in the car!” Tamara says. “We have to get up to Longmont. Our safety training starts in an hour and a half.”

I kiss Bean on the head and hug Mom and Jazzy. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” Mom says. “Have fun and oh, Logan, get that video that you said the company will take. Don’t forget! Lamar and Jazzy and I want to see it!”

“You got it,” Logan says, winking at Mom and high fiving a still pouting Jazzy. “Ready?” When he holds out his hand hesitantly to me, I take it.

“This is so incredible,” I say. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” He squeezes, and I squeeze back, and I feel a surge of love for him. He’s my best friend, no matter what. This has been a hiccup. Relationships have them.

Outside, Tamara and Dean throw a bag into the back of their minivan and argue about which route to take to the Longmont airfield, so we have a private second or two.

I study my friend. “What’s on your bucket list, Logan? I’ve never asked.”

He smiles softly and helps me into the back