Page 59 of Clean Out of Luck

“I don’t know if I want to be keeping secrets with a murderer like you. You’ve kept that a secret for sixteen years! I’m impressed. What’s the statute of limitations on the negligent homicide of a goldfish?”

“Considering that Scarlett loved that goldfish? I’ll be taking that secret to the grave with me. And now, so will you.”

“Phoenix. I’m serious. I have to figure out what to do. I want her to actually like me.”

“Then tell her you want to be with her. Or ease into it. Either way, don’t let her forget you. Don’t give her room to let another guy steal your place.”

Yeah, well, the only person in danger of stealing something was the guy who got arrested on their date tonight.

I finally hang up and stare at the two dozen cookies I need to bake.

Ease her into it.

It’s solid advice coming from someone who knows her well.

Right. I could ease her into thinking a relationship with me is a good idea.

I’ll just keep a respectable distance…let her get used to the idea…and eventually, it will be a natural progression into a relationship.

Easy-peasy.

I will not rush her or force her to make any immediate decisions.

Too bad all I want to do is drive right back to The Serendipity and kiss her until we’ve both forgotten our names.

Chapter Eighteen

Scarlett

I havethe day off today, and because I do, I’m going to use my time to relax. Usually, I clean to keep my mind off things, but if I end up mopping my floor again, I’m only going to think about kissing Wade. And reliving that kiss is off-limits today.

The sun is shining. The temperature is rising. That means it’s the perfect day to tan by the pool.

I dig around in my closet and find some semblance of a swimsuit—it’s a couple of years old and starting to stretch in strange places, but it’ll have to do. Steve said he would open the pool soon, and while that does sound nice, I’m not much of a swimmer in weather below a hundred degrees. So today is all about the sunshine and soaking up some vitamin D.

I put on my swimsuit and a swim cover-up, then flop my way up the first flight of stairs to the main floor. I spot Gloria down the hall, standing in front of the elevator bank. I wave as I head toward one of the side exits that lead into the courtyard.

“Are you going swimming? I thought Steve was testing thepool heater today. I don’t think it’s going to be warm enough yet, sweetie!” Gloria calls to me.

I hold up the big book in my hands. “I’m not going swimming. I just need some sun.”

Her face brightens. “Oh! Let me go put on my bikini, and I’ll come join you! I have a book I bought for you!”

I can’t help but smile. “Okay, I’ll save you a spot. We might be fighting the crowds today,” I joke.

But when I walk out into the courtyard that surrounds the pool, I think maybe I was right. Steve is out there skimming bugs from the water, and I see at least five other residents I know plus a few people I don’t even recognize, which could be the long-lost seasonal visitors. The pool season tends to bring out family members who never visit during the winter.

“Hey, Steve! How’s it going?”

He glances up at me and shakes his head. “I hope you realize this pool is literally fifty degrees right now. Just because I turned the heater on this morning doesn’t mean it’s warm. It doesn’t technically open until June first.”

“Oh, I know. I just want to lie on the deck and get some sun.”

I walk over to the lounge chairs Steve has recently pulled out of storage in the basement. “Did you haul all of these up the elevator by yourself?”

“You don’t even want to know what happened,” Steve replies as he walks past, flinging a netful of bugs and leaves into the bushes.

Luckily, he’s already wiped down the chairs and they’re not covered in last year’s grime. “I think I actually do want that story. Tell me about it?”

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