Page 12 of Clean Out of Luck

“You are a menace,” he finally grinds out. “How about I do us both a favor and find you a better apartment?”

I lean forward and rest my elbows on the counter. “I would say…that’s very nice of you, and I’m very happy here. I’m not leaving.”

He shakes his head slowly. “I heard the new owner hiked the rent.”

I shrug. “Just a rumor. Some of the other tenants said it’s been the same for years.”

“You’re the only apartment down here. Doesn’t that worry you?” He presses his hand flat on the counter.

I reach out and poke the back of it with my index finger. “Less people to bother me.”

He stares at my index finger resting on the back of his hand. “What are you doing?”

“Annoying you,” I reply with a smile. “Is it working?”

A smile spreads across his face. “Maybe. I’ll admit nothing. Why are you trying to annoy me?”

“Because you’re annoying me,” I say with the same smile on my face.

This time he throws his head back to laugh loudly. “Fair enough. I’ll stop.”

“Okay, good. Now I need to go get my laundry from the laundry room, and then I’ll make us some dinner,” I say as I walk to the front door, swinging it open. “Well, are you coming or not?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Wade follows me to the laundry room. I have the most convenient setup, being located on the same floor as the laundry room, so I don’t even miss having one conveniently in the apartment. And the machines are free to use.

“Since when do you cook dinner?” Wade asks as he leans against one of the dryers while I scoop my load of laundry into the basket I left in front of it.

“I eat dinner every night,” I answer him as I go diving back in to make sure I didn’t leave a sock or pair of underwear behind.

“What are you making for dinner tonight?”

“Why? Did you get any other offers to cook for you?”

“I could always go see what Carson and Ashlyn are eating.” He’s referring to his little brother, who was in my high school graduating class. His wife, Ashlyn, and I are friends, but she’s in a very busy stage of life with a baby and a toddler.

“I hope you don’t surprise her by dropping by. She has alot of people to feed without surprise company,” I admonish him as I try to hurry and scoop out my chicken underwear before he can see it.

He grimaces. “Good point. She has too much going for me to go annoy her. You on the other hand…”

I bend down to pick up the basket, but Wade beats me to it, holding it in front of his chest. “Okay, what arewehaving for dinner, then?” he asks as he follows me to the apartment.

I glance back at him and think how oddly domestic this is, Wade just carrying my basket of laundry and me talking about what I’m making for dinner.

I grin. “Lucky Charms.”

His loud laughter fills the basement, and it’s a nice, happy sound. I like it.

Maybe a little too much.

Chapter Four

Scarlett

When I walkinto my office the next morning, I find Claire bent over next to her desk.

“What are you doing?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“Changing lightbulbs, what does it look like I’m doing?” she snaps.

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