Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“Sit down. I’ll bring the coffee and buns.”
I sat down, feeling relieved. I spied a few pictures she planned to hang up still leaning against the wall. A couple more boxes. She came in, carrying a tray, and set it on the corner of the coffee table. I noticed a bunch of brass bells, whimsical glass beads, and some other things I couldn’t identify, then became distracted as she handed me a steaming cup.
“I am dying to try these buns,” she confessed, eyeing them up eagerly.
“Sandy called them pull-aparts.”
“Then let’s pull them apart!”
I felt like a kid as I ripped off a piece of the warm, gooey dough. It was sweet and dense. Chewy with the caramel. The flavor exploded in my mouth.
“This is heaven,” Casey murmured.
I agreed but remained quiet. We sat, enjoying the sun, my dog and her cat once again curled up on the sofa, soaking up the warmth of the rays streaming in the window. I startled, realizing I was enjoying myself. I didn’t feel I had to talk. To chitchat—something I hated.
And I should have stuck to that. Instead, I tried to be friendly.
I finished my coffee and sweet buns, wiping my fingers. “Quite the setup,” I said, indicating the computers.
“Hopefully a busy one,” she replied.
“What exactly do you do?”
“I offer IT services to companies that don’t have their own. I set up websites and storefronts. Offer security help. I ensure that their devices are working properly and that data is secure. I also install new software, hardware, and provide technical support. I write code as well, for special projects.”
“Wow. I have an old computer I rarely use.”
She smiled. “I can’t run into a burning building and save people. We all have our own talents.”
I picked up one of the small bells. “Is this part of your work?”
She laughed. “No, I craft things to relax. I’m working on a set of wind chimes for the front porch.”
I grimaced. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No.”
“I hate wind chimes.”
“Why?”
“They’re annoying as hell.”
“I find them relaxing.”
I shook my head. “New rule. No wind chimes on the porch. I’m not so big on your wreath either, but I’ll let that one pass.”
“There isn’t anything wrong with my wreath,” she snapped.
“It’s rather girly.”
“As I’ve pointed out to you before, I am a girl.”
“It’s unnecessary fluff. I’ll let you keep it, but no wind chimes.”
She stood, once again looking angry. “You can’t keep adding on rules.”
I stood too. “My house. My rules.”
“My apartment. My rent is paid.”
“I said no.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
“I can. I’m the landlord. I overrule you.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer. Instinctively, I stepped back. She looked really pissed, yet I couldn’t help noticing how the angry flush highlighted her ivory skin. Or how her eyes darkened, making her look sexier than usual. Anger was a good look on Casey.
But I had a feeling now wasn’t the time to tell her that.
“How old are you?” she demanded. “You look well into your forties, but you act like you’re seventy. You’re a curmudgeon.”
“Forties?” I snarled. “I’m thirty-five.”
“Well, you act like an old man.”
“No, I don’t.”
“No music, no drugs, no boyfriends, no wind chimes. What’s next? No lights after ten? No cooking with garlic? No moving around before eight? When do the rules end, Thorne?”
“When I say they do.” I ran a hand through my hair and tried to placate her. “Hang your wind chimes by your desk,” I offered, sounding lame. That was a bad move on my part since that made her angrier.
“I’ll hang them wherever I damn well want.”
“I said no.”
“I said get out.”
I walked to the back door, calling for Miller. He wasn’t happy about coming with me. “We gotta go, buddy. She’s mad again. She might eat you.”
Casey snorted. “Miller’s welcome anytime. I’d never hurt him. You, on the other hand… Never mind—you’re so sour, you’d be uneatable.”
She was furious, yet my lips quirked.
“And call before you show up. I think the law says I get twenty-four-hours’ notice.”
Then she shut the door in my face.
Well, that went sideways fast.
But at least I put my foot down.
No wind chimes.
I sighed as I went into my house. I wasn’t sure how to ask for my carafe back, though. I was a little worried she’d drop some poison into the container.
Dammit.
Lou mentioned keeping an open mind. She should have led with the patience part first.
I wondered if Sandy had something else I could bribe Casey with.
I’d have to figure that out.
Chapter Seven
CASEY
Infuriating man. I wanted to stomp over there and slap him.
And maybe kiss him.
But probably slap him.
I sat down and let my head fall into my hands.
How could one person be so confusing?
One moment, he was Jesse—relaxed, pleasant, even charming. I found him incredibly attractive. He was manly, yet slightly awkward. When he laughed, he was almost irresistible. That was the Jesse I wanted to kiss.