“Oh my God, please don’t—”
“You just dealt drugs on my property. Our property,” I say referencing Laiyla and KT. “We’ve been nothing but good to you, and this is how you repay us?”
Her eyes go wide. “I…I…didn’t think—”
“Exactly, you didn’t think. Tell your uncle tonight, and I’ll talk to him tomorrow to decide if you stay or go.”
Tears well up in her eyes. She looks like she’s going to start pleading again, but I’m pissed. “Get back to work, and don’t make me regret not calling your uncle to pick you up right now.”
16
Xavier
When my cell rings with Chloe’s number, I’m not sure if I should be happy or concerned. She never—ever—calls me when I’m working. She has this idea that I should never be distracted. But around here, there really isn’t much to be distracted from.
I connect and put the phone to my ear. “It’s a little too late for lunch and a little too early for a bootie call.”
She laughs softly. “I was just, you know, thinking about you, and wanted to see how your day is going.”
“Well, that’s sure a nice surprise.”
“So, how’s it going?”
There was something a little off in her voice. “Well, I’m standing on the porch with a very naked Wildfire resident, trying to explain that there is a law against public nudity.”
“Are you serious?”
I meet Mr. Duffy’s muddied gaze again. He’s still scowling at me, thin arms crossed tightly over his wrinkled chest. “Oh, very.”
“Don’t be talking smack, Wilde,” Duffy mutters. “I got a son who’s a lawyer. I’ll sue you for slander.”
Chloe laughs. “Mr. Duffy. Should have guessed. He’s certainly in a mood.”
“No kidding.” When she doesn’t say more I ask, “How’s your day going?”
“Uh, good, you know, same. I ran into Bodhi at the market and, I don’t know, I think he may have actually accepted things.”
But she still sounds off and I hate—with a capital H—the thought that feelings for Bodhi might have the power to interfere with her and me. “That’s a good thing, right?”
“Definitely.”
“Then why do you sound, I don’t know, tense?”
“Do I? I don’t mean to.” Then she changes the subject. “Are you doing something with Piper tonight?”
I grin, take a few steps off the porch toward the sidewalk, but face Duffy again, just to make sure he doesn’t try to head back to the flower bed to garden without any clothes on. “Why? Wanna get me naked again?”
“Of course,” she says with a smile in her voice, “but we’ve been spending a lot of time together, and I know Piper needs you.”
“Isn’t she at the marina today?”
“She was here earlier. Worked a half day.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, sure. I just don’t want to get between you two. I want her to get everything she needs.”
“You’re amazing in so many ways.”