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drive up—but she never seemed to have a problem with us staying outside smooching.
    Course we weren’t going to take it any further than kissing here, but then we never did. I pushed back a little bit, just so I could look into Jeremy’s face. Not that I could see it all that well in the shadows. “Thank you for being one of the gunslingers,” I said.
    â€œOh, my God.” He laughed. “Is that what they’re going to call us?”
    â€œMaybe. I just thought of it. I think it’s cute.”
    â€œI don’t know, Kendall. Being on display, it’s really not my thing.”
    â€œBut it’s for such a good cause.” I kissed his chin. “And it’ll be fun.”
    â€œYou and Avery seemed really serious about the competition.”
    â€œI have complete confidence in your ability to whip Fletcher’s butt.”
    â€œI love your faith in me, although it might be misguided here. Have you really looked at the guy? He’s ripped.”
    I wasn’t blind, but neither did I want to undermine his confidence. “If you’re worried about beating him, you could hit the gym.”
    He scooped my hair behind my ear. “Probably not a bad idea. I really don’t want to make a fool of myself out there.”
    â€œYou could never do that.” I settled my mouth over his, and he pressed his hands to my back, flattening me against him.
    I liked the way it felt when we were together like this. I unbuttoned two of his buttons, felt his hand slip under my shirt to skim my bare skin along the small of my back. One of my sandals plopped softly to the ground, and I ran my foot along his calf.
    I had to admit that I’d had reservations about the gun show when Terri first mentioned it, but I was excited now that Jeremy was going to participate. I would have to start saving up my pet-sitting money, because I really wanted him to win. All the girls who volunteered at the shelter wouldn’t forget him then.

Chapter 10
    JEREMY
    As I stood at the copier, duplicating some documents my dad needed for a meeting, I could see a faint reflection of myself in the window. Combing my fingers through my hair, I admitted that I liked it being a little bit longer. The office had a small gym that I’d used that morning before I reported for work. I’d never been the popular guy in school, not like Fletcher. I hadn’t realized it bothered me until this competition came up. Kendall’s faith in me made me want to win—for her. And maybe a little for myself.
    The copier shut off. I straightened my tie, made sure my shirt was tucked tightly into my Dockers, and gathered up the documents. Then I headed to my dad’s office.
    He was sitting behind his desk, his glasses perched on the end of his nose. As I walked in, he looked up, waved a hand to the side like a king greeting his minion. We’dagreed that at the office I wasn’t to be treated like his son, that work was separate from home. “Just set them on the credenza,” he said.
    After doing that, I came to stand in front of his desk. He’d gone back to studying whatever needed to be scrutinized. “Sir?”
    This time when he looked up, his brow was furrowed. “Check with my secretary. She’ll tell you what else needs to be done.”
    â€œActually, I already know my next task, but I needed to ask for some time off.”
    â€œTime off?” he asked as though it was a foreign concept. Considering he put in about seventy hours a week, it probably was. I admired his work ethic, but we had very little time together for father-son things.
    â€œYes, sir. I need Friday off.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Obviously Mom hadn’t told him about my going to the beach for a few nights. Not surprising since that would have involved actually talking to him.
    â€œI’m going to the beach for a few days with some friends.”
    â€œThat girl you’re seeing?”
    The