Chapter 21

"You just couldn't wait to tell Clara about our time together the other night, could you?" Dakota scolded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise it was this big secret, especially from Clara! I just figured that she would find out sooner or later, and I wanted her to know what a good time I had and what I thought about Maxwell. I didn't mean to piss you off!"

"I'm sorry, Shaina; I guess I'm not really pissed off at you. The fact is, I'm just protective of our relationship, and I don't want the wrong people to stick their noses in. It is still very new to both of us, and I just don't want anything to screw it up." Dakota replied apologetically. "I only invited you in and will probably invite Clara in because you two are also very close, and it is important to me that the four of us get along. You know that gossip can kill a beautiful thing. Can you understand that?"

Shaina replied, "Sure, I get it. I hope you know that I would never do anything to hurt you or Maxwell. I mean, you are like famil