The Conundrum of Collies (Love & Pets #6) - A.G. Henley Page 0,54

Bean can be, too, if Stevie keeps working with her. I guess I won’t be around to see it.

Emmy spots me walking up and comes over. She hugs me, then studies my face. “Wow, Logan, do you feel okay? I mean this in the most caring of ways, but you look awful.”

I laugh shakily. “I’m not great. But to be honest, I don’t want to talk about it right now. What’s the good news? I could use some right now.”

Emmy glances over her shoulder at Jude, then lowers her voice. “It worked! Our plan worked, and especially Saturday night’s ruse. Jude came over on Sunday and we talked for hours. He admitted he has feelings for me, but he didn’t want to tell me and possibly mess up our friendship. Seeing me with you Saturday night, though, forced him to realize he had to tell me or risk losing having a chance with me. I came clean with him about us and . . . long story short, we’re going to give dating a try.”

Even though jealousy pulses through my gut, I high five her. “That’s great news, Emmy. I’m proud of us.”

“Me, too!”

“But what about Stevie? Has he told her?”

Emmy nods. “He said he called her on Monday and let her know. She seemed fine, relieved was his word. I checked in with her yesterday to make sure we were okay.”

I didn’t know any of this. Because Stevie and I aren’t talking. Is she going to shut me out entirely? Forever? Because if I’d known that, I never would have given her that note.

“Is she coming tonight?” I ask carefully.

Emmy frowns. “I’m not sure. I didn’t hear from her today.”

Jude sees me then. He walks over, disc in hand and Meadow prancing by his side. He bumps my fist and puts an arm around Emmy, and then smirks. “Hey, Logan. I hear you’re a half-decent actor.”

I manage to smile. “Half-decent is right. Emmy’s the real talent here.”

He laughs. “I don’t know. That green dress is a rising star. Seeing it on you,” he looks at Emmy, “with you,” he raises an eyebrow at me, “pushed me right over the edge.”

It’s her turn to smirk. “Then it did its job. I’ll be sure to wear it again soon.”

“Yeah, do,” Jude says and kisses her.

Emmy calls the group together. I look around; still no Stevie or Bean. I relax a little. It’s painful enough knowing she’s in the house and not talking to me. Having her avoid me here too would only heap on the misery.

“Okay, everyone,” Emmy says. “As you all know, we have a special demonstration today. Are you ready? Do you know what you’re doing?” The others nod. “Then let’s get lined up.”

Everyone except Emmy spreads out along the throwing line, discs in hand and dogs at the ready. I stand back to watch, but Emmy waves to me. “Come over beside me, Logan.”

I have no idea what they’re doing, but curious, I walk over to her. Emmy pulls out a whistle, blows, and Aaron, the first person in line, throws a purple disk. Bear chases, catches, and delivers the frisbee back to Aaron who walks over and hands it to me. I take it hesitantly.

Aaron raises an eyebrow. “Turn it over, bro.”

I flip the disc. There, written in black marker on the underside, is the letter I.

“Thanks?” I’m confused. What is this?

A grinning Emmy pats me on the shoulder. “Wait.” She blows the whistle again.

Nisha throws next. Jack doesn’t quite catch the red disc, but he snatches it off the ground and brings it back, dropping it at her feet. She hands it to me.

I flip it over. You is written there. My eyes jump to Nisha, then to Emmy and Aaron. They’re all beaming. I glance around the field. No one else is around, but my body tingles and electricity runs through my veins. My Stevie-sense hums.

Emmy blows again. Jude steps forward with Meadow and runs through a quick freestyle routine. Meadow runs around him, weaves through his lunging legs a few times, leaps on to his back and then off again, and catches the blue disc he flips to her while she’s in the air.

Everyone hoots and claps at her performance. Meadow brings the disc to Emmy at her command, who hands it to me. The word Logan is on the back. I stare at the three discs in my hand, then up at the group.

Aaron laughs. “You should see your face, man.”

“I. You. Logan?”