Page 102 of Average Joe

I lifted my feet out of the water and snatched the towel from Ly’s hand to dry myself. Then I wiggled my damp feet into my OluKais and tossed a wad of cash next to Ly’s coffee. I headed toward the door but then stopped and turned back around.

Bullshit she wasnobody’sgirl.

I stalked toward my wide-eyed neighbor. Trudy scooted out of the way, dropping her clippers on the floor. I bent low, cupped Marley’s heated cheeks, and said, “I love you, you fucking crazy bird.” Then I kissed her, exchanging my frustration for her rage. Warm palms slammed into my chest, but she didn’t push me away. The woman melted.

When I ended the lip-lock, I tilted her face, bringing us nose to nose. “You better be at my house tonight, or I’m kicking your door down. No more sleeping alone. Got me?”

I didn’t give her time to answer. I left.

Larry stood outside Dirty Dreamz with his back to me. I climbed into my truck and headed home.

* * *

Hours had passed since I’d dropped the love bomb on Marley, and I’d been in no mood to go to the office, so I burned off energy with good old-fashioned physical labor. Weeding had worn me down a bit. Power washing the windows had helped, but not enough. So, I moved to the fence.

I’d just drilled my final screw when Marley barreled my way.

“What did you do?”

Palming a fence post, I said, “I built a gate.”

“Why would you do that?” Marley’s spark was back, and damn, what fun.

“So you can come and go as you please. We can leave it open, and the dogs can play together. No more digging under the fence.” She was pissed, but I couldn’t stop. “ It’s brilliant, right?”

“Why didn’t you ask me first?”

I pointed the drill in her direction. “Because you’re stubborn, and you would say no, even if you really mean yes.”

Throwing her arms wide, she yelled, “You can’t just cut a hole in somebody’s fence!”

“Says who?”

“The law,” she said to the sky.

“The law means nothing to a crooked ex-con,” I teased.

Marley dropped her arms, scrubbed both hands over her face, and then held them there, breathing deep.

Angry sex right there in the grass would’ve been epic and, no doubt, the most efficient way to get over our tiff.

I considered tackling her, but she dropped her arms and whispered, “What was that bullshit at the nail salon?”

“I don’t recall any bullshit.”

A huff. “You know what I’m talking about.”

“Oh.” I stepped closer. “The part where I called you a crazy bird? Won’t apologize. You are a little off your rocker.”

Her shoulders dropped. “The L-word?”

“The L-word.” Christ, that woman. “C’mon. You can do better than that.”

On an exhale, she said, “You said you love me.”

“Because I do,” I confirmed, moving close enough she had to tip her head back. “I’m done pretending that we’re only neighbors with benefits.”

Marley studied my eyes, licked her lips. “But that’s what we are.”

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