Page 116 of A Little Naughty

“Why are you asking about Harold Waters?” I lean on my elbow, finishing up, and Monay arches her eyebrow. Her eyes slide to the side, and my lips part. “Seriously? You and Harold?”

“Maybe.” She sweeps her hand from the top of her perfect updo down her lime-green tweed minidress to her matching heels. “If he’s ready for all this.”

I grin, nodding in satisfaction. “I’ve been wanting to fix him up with someone ever since I got here. Who knew he had such good taste?”

“He is from Chicago.”

Piper walks out of her office, resting a hand on her stomach. “How’s it looking for the Tuesday edition?”

“I think we’re all set, boss. Check it out.” I motion to the screen, and she snorts a laugh.

“Oh, no!” She cups both hands over her face. “Those poor babies!”

“That’s what I said!”

“Why would they do that to them?”

“I don’t know!” I hit save on the pages. “Maybe they’ll laugh at it one day?”

The bell above the door rings, and Ryan marches in carrying Fudge over his shoulder. Pinky is right behind him, and Adam enters last.

“Bestieeee!” Pinky cries, and Nikki hands over Angie Dickinson. The little dog’s whole body shakes as she happily licks Pinky all over her face. “I love you too, stinky breath.”

“Miss Ang hasn’t had her Milkbone today,” Monay makes a disappointed face, and I wave from behind the desk.

“I have some! Pinky, look in my bag.” Monay’s eyes narrow, and it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “They’re leftovers from before. I’ve stopped hoarding. These days I’m only distributing.”

“Let’s hope so.”

“Hey, Jem?” Adam joins Piper and me, wrapping his arm around his wife and kissing her cheek.

“What’s up?” I compress the file and save it to our server.

“A lady stopped by the community center just now.” He glances at the kids and steps closer, lowering his voice. “She was asking about you and Nikki.”

“Was she from the adoption agency?” My heart jumps to my throat, and I grab his arm. “It’s a little earlier than I expected, but…”

“I don’t think so.” His tone is cautious, and I meet his eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“I brought her to your place. She and Raif are in the yard talking while I came to get you.”

Piper steps to my side, putting her arm around my waist. “Stop being so cryptic, Adam. Who is she?”

Adam’s face drops, and he rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t know how to answer that. Just… Get Nikki, and let’s see.”

Piper looks at me, and I glance at where Nikki and Ryan are playing with Fudge. “Okay.”

“We’ll all go together,” Piper says.

I try not to borrow trouble. I’m sure it’s nothing. “Hey, Nikki? Let’s run to the house for a second, okay?”

She hops up at once, hurrying over to take my hand. “What’s up?”

“Uncle Adam said someone’s here to see us.”

“Okay!” She swings my hand a few times, then takes off, skipping ahead of us.

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