Page 166 of Show Me

I roll my eyes as the scent of burning leaves filters toward us from down the street. “Don’t start.”

Sam grins. “So what is going on there?”

“Nothing,” I say.

Ruby tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and laughs at something Emily says.

It’s none of their business what’s going on because this is what it’d turn into. Pressure to put a label on it. Probing questions about what the future holds. I don’t want any of those things. Everything’s fine the way it is.

They groan in unison.

“Yeah, okay.” Dominic crosses his arms over his chest as the breeze flips several leaves out of the closest tree. They float in the air before landing on the hard ground.

I rake my hand through my hair. “We work together.”

“And you’re at her place all the time,” Jake says.

“That’s not–” I stop because correcting it sounds worse.

Sam lifts a hand. “Relax. We’re messing with you.”

I snatch the ball out of Jake’s grasp and tuck it under my arm. “You guys know that Ruby’s being stalked by someone. None of us want anything to happen to her, and I’m not seeing anyone, so who better to keep an eye on things?”

Jake arches a brow. “Sure.”

I throw the ball back at him harder than necessary. “Shut up.”

Movement near the back fence catches my attention. The gate swings open. A blonde woman in leggings and a fitted sweatshirt steps through, ponytail swaying as she heads toward us. Lindsey.

Sam catches sight of her first. His lifts a hand and waves. “Hey!”

She changes direction without hesitation, smiling as she closes the distance. “Hey yourself.”

Dominic looks from her to Sam, one brow arching. “You inviting people now?”

Sam shoves a hand into his pocket, looking entirely too comfortable. “We’ve hung out a couple of times.”

Jake’s head tilts. “Hanging out?”

Sam shrugs. “Nothing serious.”

Lindsey bumps his shoulder lightly with hers. “Wow. Way to make a girl feel special.”

A grin spreads across Sam’s face. “Just setting expectations.”

She rolls her eyes but stays close enough that her arm brushes his again.

I take a step forward. “Sam, can I talk to you a second?”

Sam’s attention turns to me. “What?”

I glance at Lindsey. Then back at him. “Alone.”

“Fine.”

We step to the side as Lindsey hovers out of hearing range.

“What’s up with you?”