Page 5

“Daddy’s house didn’t do that.”

“Your daddy’s house isn’t eight hundred years old, either. You literally picked a house that speaks back.”

Adeline glances around the bathroom like it’s going to tell her if that’s accurate or not. “I dunno if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

“You need a man.”

That fully gets her attention when her head jerks in my direction and her pretty green eyes widen like she’s never thought of that before.

“Are you offerin’?” she poses, surprising me for half a second before I remember who the hell I’m talking to.

Adeline and I grew up together. I’m only a year older than her. When I went into law enforcement, she continued with her constant teasing, but in hindsight, I’m really the only one she teases besides her brother and his wife, Layla Jean.

I don’t know if I should be flattered or working on an SOS.

“I ain’t,” I deadpan before turning on my heels and walking toward the front door of her house.

“Why did ya say it like that?” she presses, hot on my tail, and I can hear her little feet paddling across her hardwood floors to keep up. “You don’t think I’m a catch?”

“Depends on the man.”

“I’m askin’ you.”

“I ain’t answerin’ that, AK. I just came to investigate your pipes.”

“My pipes, huh?” A glower immediately forms on my face before I stop on a dime and spin on my heels to find her already smiling up at me. “Well, you didn’t do that, and ya just stood here and said it was a water screw.”

“Water hammer.”

She waves a dismissive hand in the air. “Whatever. It can’t be that.”

“Now ya know all about plumbing?”

“Well…no.”

“Alright then. I told ya what it was, and that’s what it was. Your pipes.”

“Henry Abbott,” she scowls mockingly, “behave yourself, or I’m gonna tell your mama that you’re talkin’ to me like that without askin’ me on a date yet.”

I don’t respond to that.

All I do is turn right back around and push open the screen door, but not before stopping to glance over at her.

“She’s gonna raw your backside,” she singsongs at my spine. “Because she loves me.”

She does.

However, that’s not going to change the fact that my mama knows I’m busy enough right now.

Women aren’t on my mind.

Ish.

“Did ya need anythin’ else?” Her pretty green eyes lock with mine when she slowly shakes her head. “Alright, well…I’d say call if ya need anythin’ else, but I know you will.”

“Just another way to get you over here, Dodger.”

Uh-huh.