Page 54 of Clean Out of Luck

“Then why were you smiling?”

“Because the guy got what he deserved, that’s what. Don’t tell me you knew he had an arrest warrant out on him and stillchose to go on a date with him? I figure he lied to you, you didn’t realize who he really was.”

“Despite what you think, I can take care of myself just fine.”

Wade gives me a quick glance before he turns back to watch the road.

“Why do you think I was already standing when you walked in?”

Wade focuses on the road, and I watch his jaw muscles work while he clenches his teeth. I don’t know how he doesn’t get an immediate tension headache. That man’s going to need Botox in those muscles to prevent migraines.

“I’m glad you’re capable, Scarlett. And I know you are. I just want you to know I’m here for you too.” His low voice sends a shiver through me.

I snort to mask my physical response to his words. “Oh, I know you’re here. And you seem to be just as effective as my brother at ruining any and all chances of dating.”

Wade parks in the parking garage next to The Serendipity, and the walk back to my basement apartment is a silent one.

I purposefully take the front entrance. I need some extra stairs.

I went on a date with a wanted felon. Okay, well, I don’t know if he was a felon, but at least a criminal.

The Serendipity is blessedly quiet, and I see no one in the entryway or the hallway.

When I reach the safety of my apartment, I expect Wade to turn around and leave. His babysitting duties are over, but he follows me inside. I slip off my shoes and put them on the mat, then hang up my purse. My movements are practically robotic at this point.

I take the scrunchy from my wrist and pile my hair high on my head, then march to my cleaning closet. I don’t knowwhy Wade is still here, but my frustration with him is mounting.

It’s unfair that I think he’s more attractive than any date I’ve been out with in the last few weeks. It’s unfair that he is right here and I can do nothing about my attraction to him.

I fill the bucket and pull the mop out of the closet, dunking it in the water before I start scrubbing the floor.

“Scarlett…” Wade says.

I scrub at a dark spot on the stained concrete. It’s part of the floor but it feels like I should be able to scrub it away.

Like my growing fascination with Wade, I wish I could just wash it away.

“Scarlett,” Wade says again, and this time it’s closer.

I stand up straight, spinning around to face him. I come face-to-face with his—well, neck because he’s several inches taller than my 5’9”.

I grip the handle of the mop as I stare at those corded muscles on his neck and follow them all the way up to his jawline. His lips are moving and he’s telling me something, but I don’t know what. Because I’m too mesmerized watching those lips move. He’s so close that if I leaned forward a few inches, I’d be touching him. One little lean, and I could kiss him.

I clutch the mop a little tighter as I realizeI want to kiss Wade Hendrix.

This is not good.

I spin away, lean the mop against the counter, and stuff my hands in my pockets. Must. Not. Kiss. Wade.

“If you had just told me his name and let me do a background check—” He has a contemplative look on his face that makes me feel like he’s pitying me. And that is absolutely not something I can stand.

“No!” I shout. We both stare at each other in surprise.

I don’t yell at people. This isn’t what I do. I hold ittogether, and sure, sometimes I quietly get even, but I don’t lose my temper.

It must be the attraction clouding my judgment.

“I need you to leave.” I grind out each word.

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