Page 51 of Rowdy & Kat

Grinning, I wrapped my arms around her body and held on tightly. “You’re adorable when you’re hot for a guy.”

Maria hugged me back. “I was so startled when he entered the condo. I think that’s why I acted weird.”

“You weren’t weird. You were just friendly.”

“He’s probably got a girlfriend.”

“No, Rowdy’s already got you two married. He wouldn’t act like that if Farley had a girlfriend.”

“Married?” Maria asked, releasing me and frowning.

“He figures if you marry Farley that you’ll stay nearby forever.”

Maria burst into laughter. “He’s so odd.”

“Rowdy takes whatever he wants. His behavior seems strange to us because we play things safely.”

Maria fought an eye roll. “You hooked up with Rowdy and lied to his face. That wasn’t safe.”

“Yes, I’m aware, but Rowdy brings out this other side of me. Usually, I’m not impulsive like that.”

“True.”

“Let’s stop talking about my behavior and focus on yours,” I said, making Maria grin. “What do you like about Farley?”

“I told you,” Maria said and shrugged. “He’s handsome and friendly. It’s nothing more complicated than that.”

“It never is,” Pax said, startling us both. He looked back at Bebe still in the nursery and grinned. “You see that, babe? I’ve still got my stealth moves.”

Bebe called out, “Are you bothering the girls?”

“No,” Pax insisted and winked at me. “I’m just eavesdropping on their conversation.”

Bebe rolled her dark eyes, but I also caught her grinning at Pax’s behavior.

“Got a hankering for biker dick, do you?” Pax asked Maria, who inched back. “I hope so because that biker has a hankering for you.”

“What’s Farley like?” I asked.

“Well, he’s the kind of weird that comes from having two moms.”

Joining us in the kitchen, Bebe bumped Pax and shook her head. “Don’t say that.”

“He’s sensitive like a girl. All those ladies babied him too much.”

“His moms are members of the Everything Nice Crew,” Bebe explained to Maria and me. When we only stared at her, she dumbed it down for us by saying, “They’re an all-female motorcycle club. Or maybe they’re more like a girls-only crime organization. I don’t know if they all ride motorcycles.”

Bebe looked at Pax, who shrugged. “I never polled them. Can’t say I know who does what within the ENC.”

Bebe shrugged. “Well, they’re tough women who helped the Little Memphis club take over this town.”

Maria and I weren’t well-versed in current local crime politics, let alone educated on what happened decades ago. We glanced at each other and stepped closer to Bebe.

“Are his moms scary?” I asked.

“Sure. They’re criminals.”

Maria and I glanced at each other before I mumbled, “But Rowdy’s a criminal.”