Free And Then He Kissed Me by Teresa Southwick

me along as one of the chaperones.”
    â€œIt’s a shame that girl hasn’t learned to speak her mind,” he said shaking his head sympathetically.
    â€œThis is nothing to joke about, Nick.”
    â€œAt the risk of upsetting you, I think it is. You need to lighten up, Ab. Sooner or later you have to let her try out her wings. What better way than with adult supervision? I don’t understand what’s bothering you.”
    She set her elbows on her paper-strewn desk and rested her chin in her palms. The gloomy pose was very childlike in spite of all her adult responsibilities.
    â€œThen I’ll explain to you what’s bothering me,” she said. “The mountains are several hours away by car. I don’t like being so far away from Sarah in case she needs me.”
    Nick decided not to point out that Abby was counting the days until Sarah went away to college. There was a better-than-even chance that big sister wouldn’t be allowed to tag along. Then she would be forced to let go. He was concerned that if Abby didn’t cut Sarah some slack, there would be rebellion more serious than hiding the fact that she was riding around with a recently licensed driver. Nick understood Abby’s fear.
She’d lost both parents when they had left on a pleasure trip. But life went on. Under the circumstances, he had to agree with Sarah. His problem was finding a diplomatic way to tell Abby.
    â€œWhy don’t you contact the trip coordinator to confirm Sarah’s information?”
    â€œI plan to,” she said. “But that won’t completely ease my mind.”
    â€œWhere are they going?” he asked.
    â€œSan Bernardino mountains. Big Bear.”
    â€œThat’s where the family cabin is.” He might just have the beginnings of a solution. “Why don’t you use it that weekend?”
    She looked startled. “I couldn’t.”
    Was Sarah right? Did Abby always say no without giving thought to the situation?
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œWhat about work?” she asked.
    He looked down at the papers on her desk. “Isn’t that the schedule you’re working on?” When she nodded he said, “Mark yourself off.”
    â€œI’m not sure that’s fair. I—”
    â€œIf Sarah had agreed to your chaperone solution, you’d have had to. Why not throw caution to the wind and do it? You can quietly let the trip supervisors know where to reach you. It will give you some peace of mind and Sarah some independence. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Especially me. I get to be the guy who made two women happy.”
    â€œNot so fast. I can’t pay you for it. My budget is limited—”
    â€œWho said anything about money?” A spark of anger sizzled inside him. “I offered it to you as a favor.”

    â€œBut that wouldn’t be professional. You’re my boss. People would talk.”
    â€œNot even the world’s largest roll of duct tape would stop that,” he said, peeved at her. She was throwing up hurdles where there didn’t need to be any. “It doesn’t matter what people say. There’s nothing going on between us.” Liar , a voice in his head piped up. But he didn’t want to go there. “I’m your friend.”
    â€œI hope so,” Abby said.
    Did she? He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was trying to keep him from getting close. He continued to stare at her and noticed that her chin lifted a little, as if she were fighting some inner struggle.
    She looked down at the pencil in her hands. “Sarah and I value your friendship, and it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of that.”
    â€œIt’s not taking advantage if I offer.”
    â€œThen why does it feel that way?” she asked.
    When did it get to be a major pain in the butt to do something nice for a friend? “Would it make you feel better if I have Luke dock your