Page 44 of Clean Out of Luck

Scarlett says something to Jack, but I don’t catch it because Claire is leaning forward to talk to me. “You did really well on the witness stand in there,” she says with a smile. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Have you lived in town for a while?”

It’s a torturous few minutes of trying to carry on aconversation with Claire when really all I want to do is listen in on Jack and Scarlett’s conversation.

Finally, it’s time to go and both Claire and Scarlett disappear into their office. Jack and I walk down the three flights of stairs to exit the courthouse.

“You don’t mind that I want to go out with Scarlett, right?”

I don’t say anything as we stop to hold the front door for a lady using a cane.

Once we’re outside, Jack continues, “But I mean, her coworker seemed cute too. I don’t know. Which one?”

“If you can’t decide, you shouldn’t ask,” I snap at him.

He just laughs and follows me to the car.

Chapter Fourteen

Scarlett

WADE

I’m making cookies, and I need a taste tester. They’ll be out of the oven in 10 minutes.

SCARLETT

I’ll put my pants back on and be there in 9.

Wade must have been paying closerattention than I thought at the courthouse today. I thought he was busy flirting with Claire, looking like someone who had stepped out of a men’s fashion magazine.

He’d been wearing those dark-wash jeans, a cargo jacket, that big watch, and a ring on his right middle finger. It was no wonder Claire decided to change her personality and be friendly to him.

He looked good. Uncomfortably good.

Which is why going and eating cookies with him like we’re still kids seems like a great idea.

I take off my sweatpants and put on my jean shorts,grabbing a sweater to ward off any chill in case it’s cold when I bike home.

Wade lives in a small neighborhood, only half a mile away. Easy biking distance.

By the time I reach his house only 8 minutes have passed.

I park my bike in his driveway, run up the steps, and knock on the door. I haven’t actually beeninthis house, but I obviously biked by out of curiosity.

The door swings open, and Wade is standing there. He’s wearing sweatpants and a dark blue T-shirt with flour dust on it.

I grin when I spot the smudge of flour on his cheek.

“Well, hello there, baker boy.” I reach up and wipe the smear of flour from his cheek. My palm brushes against the scruff there, and I’m painfully aware that I’m touching Wade’s face before he’s even had a chance to invite me inside.

“Hello to you too,” he says in a gravelly voice. “Want to come in and try my cookies?”

“Why does that sound like a dirty joke?” I ask as I step inside and kick off my shoes.

“I could make it one,” he offers helpfully as he closes the front door.

My blushing cheeks feel like they’re on the verge of combusting. I need to get back to safe territory.

“Wow! So this is your evil lair!” I look around the room and notice the navy curtains and light leather couch. A large TV is sitting in a gray entertainment center. There’s a small, black wood stove on a light-colored brick hearth.

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