Page 27 of Recklessly Yours

“You guys are way off base.” Hattie scoffed. “And give me more credit. I have way more self-restraint than that. Jeez.”

“Have you seen the ass on the detective?” Rachel chuckled.

I shifted, uncomfortable with where this line of conversation was going.

“A week is more than I would have given you.”

“Seriously, Savannah.” Hattie’s voice was a harsh whisper now, so I couldn’t hear what followed.

Dammit. As she spoke, I studied her. Her posture was less tense than it had been earlier, but there was a flush creeping up her face now.

My phone vibrated on the table, so, chuckling at Hattie’s clear embarrassment, I picked it up. The notification on the screen showed a text from my neighbor.

Logan: You having a party over there?

Me: I wish. All work, no play.

Logan: Maybe I’m in the wrong job, then. My gig as a firefighter has never led to having a bunch of beautiful women hanging out at my house.

Me: Half of them are married. I’m helping a friend out by watching his sister. She has a stalker.

Logan: Oh shit, you for real?

Me: You have the kids this weekend?

Logan: Nope and not on shift. Want to invite me over for a beer and introduce me to the single ones?

Teeth gritted,I glared at my phone. Hell no. I had no claim on Hattie, nor should I want to claim her, but introducing her to Logan? The idea irked me. Though…as another thought popped into my head, I couldn’t help but smirk.

Me: Sure, come on over. Savannah, the blonde dancing on the chair right now, seems like fun.

Logan: She might be too wild for me. I’m an old man now.

I scoffed.He was thirty-two, the same age as I was. We werenotold. Though maybe a marriage and subsequent divorce and co-parenting two kids made Logan feel older some days.

Me: Maybe young and free is what you need.

Logan: Be right over.

Aiden’s nameflashed on the screen before I could set my phone down, so I quickly accepted the call. “What’s up?”

“Talked to the manager at the gas station.”

Frustration bubbled up, and my jaw ticked. The plan had been for him to do that this morning, but then it was thrown to the back burner when the orchids were left at Hattie’s door. I wasn’t available to help at all today either, adding more to my frustration.

“Tell me you have something.”

He sighed. “Wish I could.”

I pinched my eyes closed. Not the news I wanted.

“Their surveillance system only saves a month of footage…”

“And since the phone was purchased in November, we’re screwed.” I finished for him.

“Pretty much.”

I pressed a palm to my forehead. For a moment, I just breathed and thought through what we knew so far. Straightening, I cleared my throat. “Ask him to call when another one is purchased.”

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