Page 67 of Love Me Dangerous

Saying the number out loud makes me feel queasy. “A hundred K. Plus a car I get to keep.”

Ava’s mouth drops open. “Fucking blazes, Fie. That’s a lot of donuts.”

I cringe. “I know. But what if I take it, and something happens with Jesse? Or Linnie?”

“You can’t hold their lives in the palm of your hand forever,” Ava says in a kind voice. “Linnie’s old enough to fend for herself for a year. Your dad can make some adjustments, I’m sure.”

Theoretically, Dad sets his own schedule, but in reality, it’s not quite that simple. Like this poacher. Like The Winter Range Project. Like a lot of unknowns.

“You have a right to a future, too,” Kirilee says, her eyes tight with compassion. For someone who has so little choice in her life, this means a lot. I reach out for her hand.

“Maybe there’s another reason you feel like sticking around?” Ava says, giving me a knowing smirk.

A firm gust rattles the tent fabric and makes the edges of Kirilee’s tablecloth flutterabove the grass.

Kirilee’s eyes brighten. “A certain International Man of Mystery, perhaps?”

I smile to myself, remembering Zach’s message last night.

“Your nanny gig wouldn’t start until January,” Ava says, whipping her long hair into a braid. “That’s a month and a half away.”

I sink into the chair behind Kirilee’s table. “He’s coming to the work party.”

“Perfect,” Ava says, then frowns. “Wait, how do you know?”

“He texted me last night.”

“Mystery Man has a phone?” Kirilee adds, her eyebrows arching up in surprise.

“Apparently.”

“What else did he want?” Ava asks, all innocence gone from her tone.

I can’t say it out loud, but my look must reveal enough because Kirilee’s biting her lip, and Ava’s narrowed her gaze like she’s reading my thoughts.

“I see,” Ava says, failing to hide her smirk.

“That’s hot.” Kirilee points at me. “At least one of us is getting some action.”

“Who’s getting some action?” Hutch says from behind us. “I’m here to help.”

I jump out of my seat, and my friends whirl around.

“You wish,” Ava says, rolling her eyes.

Hutch gives her a wink as he ducks under the tent and then scans the shelves. “Wow, Keer, you made all of these?”

“Yep.” Kirilee beams.

Gently, he picks up one of the bowls and turns it over in his big hands. “How’d you get the glaze that color? It’s so pretty.”

“Thanks, Hutch,” Kirilee says.

I bump her shoulder for encouragement, and she laughs to herself.See?I want to say to her. Taking a compliment won’t kill you.

Hutch sets the bowl back and Ava links arms with him. “Let’s get the artist some lunch.”

“Definitely.”

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