“You sure you don’t want help?” I ask, leaning against the door jam.
“I’ve got it.” She tosses a smile over her shoulder, then measures chili oil into the pan.
She looks cute, lips moving as she reads the instructions under her breath, so she doesn’t miss a step.
I take the moment to pull out my phone and shoot Dice a quick text.
Chaz: Heads up. Lot’s back.
Dots appear, so I wait for his response.
Dice: Heard. Where’d u c her?
Chaz: Market.
Dice: Guessing she’s still mad at me.
Chaz: Safe guess.
Dice: I don’t need this shit.
Chaz: Funny she said the same.
Dice: Whatever. Gonna let Lot do Lot. Not looking for grief.
Chaz:
Dice:
Chaz: Just saying . . .
Dice: If ur just saying then man up w/ Lexie.
Chaz: On it 2night.
Dice: fr?
Chaz: For real. U should talk to Lot too.
Dice: Hardly the same. Lex is a gentle feline. Lot is a wild cat.
Chaz: Still. She’s in town for a while. Cld get akwrd.
Dice: Prbly but not looking to get my eyes scratched out.
Chaz: Be brave, my brother.
Dice: Yeah. U too.
I tuck my phone away as the scent of garlic and onions fills the kitchen. Lexie glances at me, her cheeks pink from the stove’s heat.
“Thought I should let Dice know that Lot’s back in town,” I explain.
She nods, stirring the pot. “For all of Dice’s popularity with women, she didn’t seem thrilled when you mentioned him.”
“She just cut him off five years ago—before she moved to New York. Dice says he has no clue why. Lot’s not exactly an open-book. I suggested he talk to her. Lot’s father owns Docks. I assume she’ll be helping out if he needs surgery. Could get messy.”
Lexie sprinkles salt into the boiling water, biting her lip in thought. “Hmm.”
