“Great timing, Dan. We were looking for you,” I say brightly. “Any chance you want to help me get this picture downstairs?” I retrieve the painting and hold it up.
Dan eyes it suspiciously. “You wanna keep that?”
“My grandmother painted it.”
“Oh, cool. Yeah, no problem.” Clearly no art connoisseur, he just holds out one hand. “Ready when you are.”
“Go slow, Bud,” Kane urges, hovering over us and ready to step in if it doesn’t look like we can handle it.
“Be careful. Let’s see…” I pause, counting the steps on the ladder. “Why don’t you stand at the bottom and we’ll just pass it down?”
Safety first.
If I’m the reason Kane’s kids get hurt, won’t that be the cherry on this awkward hot-shit sundae?
“Sure,” Dan huffs. “Then will you guys come down for dinner?”
“Have some patience, little man,” Kane grumbles behind me.
“It’s fine, we’re on our way.” I don’t look at Kane directly, but I’m sure his stance has relaxed a little. “We’re done up here anyway.”
My voice cracks a little on the last word as I scoot up, slowly dangling the painting down through the opening.
Dan reaches up and grabs it, then sets it on the floor.
“Coming?” I whisper over my shoulder.
I won’t let my eyes focus.
Seriously, if I see him right now, I just know I’ll see the disgust in his eyes.
“Right behind you. Take your time and watch your step down.” His voice is so neutral, so flat it hurts.
Watch your step.
A little late for that, dude.
How do we coexist after trading wildfire kisses?
As soon asthe painting gets tucked away safely in my room and I’ve cleaned up, I head outside.
Zero need to stick around for dinner.
If Dan caught one whiff of what was happening, then everyone knows I made out with Kane Saint by now.
Technically, my tenant.
Definitely my latest disaster.
My heart drums a messy rhythm, still lodged in my throat.
If Sully Bay has a town idiot, I’ve just stolen their place.
Nothing much to show for Gramps’ huge riddle, and now I’ve gone and kissed a near-stranger.
Practically in front of his kids.
Yeah, there’s no way I can face him again and ever look normal.
