Mo waits for Trevor to leave again, and then she looks at me. “I’m sorry I told my dad about you and Trevor.”

“No, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s my fault. I should’ve told my mom sooner. I’m sorry I drenched you with the hose.”

“And I’m sorry I wiped poop on your face.”

I look down at my soaking-wet clothes and the questionable stains I got from rolling around on the floor, and for some reason I bust up laughing.

Mo smiles, watching me, and after a few seconds she starts laughing too. Before I know it, we’re a hysterical mess.

“Look at us,” I pant, trying to catch my breath. “Two grown women having a water fight.”

Mo wipes the tears from her face and sighs. “I haven’t had this much fun in years.”

“Me neither.”

“I’m thinking I should piss you off every few months just so I can have a good laugh.”

“I’m all down for the good laugh, but lets try to avoid the pissing-off part.”

Mo nods and holds out her hand. I grab it and yank her in for a hug.

“I’ll agree to that,” she says.

“I guess we need to clean up this mess.”

She looks at wet floor and nods. “I guess you’re right. And I still have to do afternoon chores. I’ll be lucky to make it to Vivian and Sawyer’s on time.”

“I’ll stay here and help you. Together we’ll get it done.”

She lifts a brow. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“How about while we clean you give me the lowdown on you and Trevor? You know I’ve been dying to get the details.”

“I can do that.”

Mo and I spend the next hour cleaning up the mess we made, which was more extensive than I’d realized. Water easily drains on the floors because of the way the building was built, but we had water everywhere—the walls, the ceiling, the giant food trough. And that was unfortunate because the top layer of dog food was soggy, and we had to scoop it up and throw it out. And that doesn’t include the poop smeared across the floor.

But by the time we got done, the kennels were spic and span, and Mo had heard my tale from the very first time Trevor and I kissed right here at Animal Haven to the dirty deed that went down last night. Of course I left out all of the intimate details—those are just for Trevor and me—but I am a girl, and I do like to indulge myself in a little girl talk from time to time.

“So Trevor’s a dirty talker? Rhett’s the same way.”

My eyebrow juts up. “Really? I never would’ve guessed that.”

“Oh yeah, he lives for it. It must be an Allen thing.”

“Must be.”

“Well, I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. Now if I can just get my mom on board.”

Mo purses her lips. “I’m sorry, Claire, but I’ve never known your mom to be anything but completely supportive of you and your decisions. I have a hard time believing she isn’t on board. She’s known the Allens her whole life, and she knows Trevor. Why wouldn’t she be on board?”

“It’s not Trevor she has a problem with, it’s me.”

“Explain.”

“She thinks I’m still insecure after Daddy’s death.”

“Well, are you?”

“No.” I frown and think about it a second. If I can’t be honest with my best friend, who can I be honest with? “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

“Claire.” Mo stops what she’s doing and looks at me. “Safety and occupations and firefighters have been a huge source of anxiety for you since your dad passed away, and this is your first time dipping your toe back in the water, and you didn’t really dip your toe—you dove right in.”

“Because I’m tired of being so uptight and following my damn rules. I don’t want to have those insecurities, Mo, and I really want this with Trevor. I love him.”

“I truly believe that you love him, and I know you don’t want to have those insecurities, but what happens if they rear their ugly heads and you change your mind?”

“I would never intentionally hurt Trevor.”

“I know you wouldn’t, but you might unintentionally hurt him if you’re not careful. I know you don’t want to hear what your mom has to say, but maybe she’s right. Maybe you should take a step back and do some soul searching and make sure this is something you’re one-hundred-percent ready for before you wade into the deep end.”

“I think I’m already there.”

“I think you are, too, but it’s not too late for me to toss you a safety ring.”

“Why are we talking in pool lingo?”

Mo laughs. “I have no idea. Maybe because we’re both still soaking wet.”

I smile and then sigh. “I don’t agree with you and my mother entirely, but I see your point. Maybe I should talk to Trevor about this and get his take—although I don’t want to spook him.”

“He won’t be spooked. From what Rhett told me last night after we got home, Trevor’s already floating around the deep end in his raft—with a beer in one hand and an engagement ring in the other.”

“Oh no,” I laugh humorlessly, shaking my head. “We’re far from that.”

“I mean that you’re it for him. He believes in you and in the two of you together that much.” She reaches out to squeeze my hand. “I agree. Talk to him and give him fair warning that you’re a flight risk. That way he can at least be prepared.”

“I’m not a flight risk, but I’ll talk to him tonight after dinner.”

“Good. Now let’s finish here so we can get cleaned up and make it to Vivian’s on time. She’s an amazing cook. I don’t even know what she’s making, and my mouth is already watering.”