Page 33 of Pink and Country

Desmond let himself out.

An idea flashed through my mind.

A perfect way to break the extra layer of ice that settled between Fairy and me after we made out yesterday.

Getting her doors fixed would probably earn me some points too. Significant detail.

I excused myself and went back to my place to get everything ready.

* * *

Later, I rang the neighbor’s doorbell, my hands full. A lopsided smirk stretched my lips. Pink Fairy greeted me wearing skinny jeans so tight it looked like someone painted them on her, making her curves even more delicious than I remembered, along with a black shimmery top. Her feet were bare, her toenails painted in a golden hue.

My jaw popped open at the sight, and I asked, spellbound, “Are you going somewhere?”

My neighbor smiled shyly, twirling a strand of pink hair around her index finger. I grinned. Like a fool.

“No. Remember, I’m stuck here. Felt like dressing nice for a change, that’s all. I’ve been wearing my share of sweats and leggings since I came to Green Mountain.”

“You look beautiful.”

Cotton Candy pointed at my overflowing arms, choosing to ignore the flattery. “What’s all that?”

“Uh, I forgot. How do you feel about the real estate market?”

“Wait, what?” Her brows knitted together; confusion painted over her face. Skinny Jeans Neighbor’s eyes glistened, the sparks emphasized thanks to the shimmery gray eyeshadow she painted on her eyelids and her thick lashes coated in black mascara.

“Since you’re stuck here, I thought keeping you company tonight was the least I could do. I brought dinner and Monopoly. Hence the real estate market interest.” I arched one brow, waiting for her to invite me in.

Bubble Gum let out a soft laugh. “I’m here every night, HN. Being stuck here doesn’t faze me.” She crossed her arms over her chest, unimpressed. She kept her eyes on me, giving me a slow once-over, a tiny smile curving her lips. Okay, she liked what she saw. I could work with that. “Unless it’s you who can’t fathom the idea to spend a night on your own?” I loved the challenge in her defiant tone. Fucking turn-on. I shook my leg to ease the tension in my groin.

“Yeah. You caught me. I need a five-foot-tall, pink-haired woman to look out for me in case a broad-shouldered, three-headed, six-eyed alien lands here tonight. Or a grizzly bear.” Fairy chuckled, and I joined in.

“I’m here. Ready to defend you with my five-foot-three height, by the way, against hardcore criminals who may want to attack your weak ass.” She straightened her back. “I’ll let you in under one condition.”

“Name it,” I agreed, ready to run around naked if she asked me to.

Her shoulders tensed, and she narrowed her eyes.

“And this is the moment you tell me the truth. No bullshit.” I nodded, a million thoughts running through my head, a splint of ice lining my spine. Did she know about me? Was she about to expose me and accuse me of lying to her? Adrenaline shot through my system, and my blood pressure soared. I rolled my shoulders back and held my breath, ready for her to deliver the punch. “Is the redhead your wife?”

What? I stumbled back a step. The tension in my back vanished.

“Why does it matter? You’re interested?”

“Answer the question. Because I won’t have dinner with someone’s husband.”

“I’m not married. Never have been. She’s my family, but I won’t explain her to you. Not yet at least.” My grip tightened around the pot in my hands.

“And this is the truth, all the truth, you swear?”

“I promise you she’s not my wife nor my girlfriend.”

Pink Goddess studied me for a minute, her lips pinched in a thin line, her jaw set, and her brows wrinkled, looking like one of those tiny Angry Birds. With a sigh, she moved to the side and opened her arms to invite me in. “Then come on in, big guy, make yourself at home. I’m starving, and you mentioned you brought dinner.” In my head, I high-fived myself as I kicked the door shut.

One point for me.

I breathed easier.