Page 23 of Daddy's Wild Girl

Be casual.

What they think doesn’t affect you. It can’t hurt you.

Setting down her beer, she searched around in a cupboard and found a bag of Cheetos at the back.

Score!

Opening them, she took a handful before remembering her manners and offering them some. Again, they both shook their heads.

Their loss. More for her.

“That’s . . . that’s . . .” Hayes stumbled over his words.

“Ambitious,” Corbin said quickly. “And brave of you. I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Hmm, she got the feeling he was pretty good at anything he did.

“Well, online videos help a lot.”

“You . . . you’re doing this with online video help?” Hayes said in a strangled voice. “Please tell me you don’t do the electrical and plumbing yourself.”

“Okay. I won’t tell you that.” She had to bite her lip so she didn’t start laughing.

“None of us are staying here!” Hayes snapped.

“She’s joking,” Corbin told him. “Right, Bebe?”

She was chewing on a huge mouthful of Cheetos, so she just nodded.

Hayes eyed her suspiciously.

“Sorry the house is a bit of a mess. But it’s easier for me this way. I’m allergic to cleaning.”

Hayes mumbled something she couldn’t make out.

“I also can’t cook. So, you know, this is dinner and you might want to eat up.” She held out the bag of Cheetos to them.

“That is not dinner,” Corbin told her firmly. “And I know how to cook.”

“You do?” She gave him a delighted look. “Can you make lasagna?”

“Uh, sure.” He moved to the fridge and looked into it. “You’ve got creamer, cheese, and beer in here.”

“What? You can’t make lasagna from creamer, cheese and beer?” she asked.

“Well, you’ve got one of the major ingredients.”

“That’s the spirit!” She grinned at him. “I’ll go to the grocery store if you make me a list.”

“No,we’llgo,” Hayes told her. “I’ll come with you. Corbin, do you want to get started on the security system?”

“Uh, it’s after five,” she pointed out. “Aren’t you guys, like, off-duty or something?”

“We’re never really off-duty,” Corbin told her. “If you show us where we’re sleeping, I’ll get started on the shopping list. Afraid there’s not enough time for lasagna, though.”

“Bummer.”

“I’ll make a chicken salad and garlic bread.”

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