Page 82 of The Rogue

“Got any apples?” She swings her empty basket.

“Yeah, Harry’s got a bag full waitin’ for ya.” I lean over to kiss her cheek.

There was a time when I couldn’t even do that without her flinching.

Five years ago, Lonnie was in a toxic, abusive relationship. Physical abuse.

I was the first man she trusted after changing her name and moving to Colorado. But with a young kid, I came with my own baggage, and things didn’t work out for us. Call it bad timing or just two pieces that don’t fit.

She’s still one of my best friends.

“When you gonna take me for a ride on one of these?”

“They’rehorsesand anytime. Just let me know and I’ll set it up with one of my guys.”

She rolls her eyes. “I really hope you’ve got better game than that or you’ll never get laid again.”

I dust my hands off on my pockets with a smile, happy to see her. If I’m honest, she’s been on my mind too. Just a little differently. “Come by the house for a drink?”

She jerks at the sudden interest to spend more time with her. Usually, it’s small talk as I toss her a bag of apples and tell her to get off my lawn.

Especially during work hours.

“What’s up?” she asks once we’re in my kitchen. I offer her a glass of Tessa’s iced tea with mint and lemons floatin’ around inside.

“Mmm…yummy. You made this?”

“Tessa.”

“Oh. How’s that workin’ out? Aiden tells me she bullied you into hiring her.” She crackles a laugh.

“She didn’t—you been talkin’ to my dad?”

“No. What? Maybe. So the town rogue is now on your payroll?”

“For the summer.”

She nods and watches me carefully. Then something near the sink catches her eye. “Aww, it’s the mug I got you.”

“Tessa likes it. I think she uses it just to fuck with me.” I chuckle.

Lonnie sets it down. “Did you tell her it’s from an ex?”

“Yes.”

“Ooh…prettyandsecure. I like her.”

“Lon, I gotta ask you something.”

She slams the table like she’d just won a bet. “I knew it. You want to bang the nanny. Yes, it’s totally cool. No one will judge. Go for it.”

“I already did.”

She stares at me, her face sobering. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know anything about her. I thought I was okay with that, but I want to know who she is. Where she’s from.”

She nods. “Anyone you can ask?”

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