"That was months ago. Things have changed. You need to talk to Wren. She's in a good place now. And you can get back everything you lost."
"There's no way I could ever get back even half of what I lost," he said emphatically, pausing as the laundry door opened and Kaia walked in. Knowing Clay was about to launch into whatever scheme he had in mind, he said, "I have to go. Whatever you are trying to put together, the answer is no."
"Sorry to interrupt," Kaia said as she ventured farther into the room. "I just need to move my laundry."
"Great," he said tersely, not sure what she'd heard, not that it mattered, because she was the least of his concerns.
As she opened the washer and transferred her clothes into the dryer, he suddenly became aware of her beautiful bikini-clad body, which wasn't at all hidden by the sheer cover-up. His breath caught in his throat as he noticed her creamy, slightly pink skin, her freckled shoulders, sexy curves, and long legs. He swallowed back a sudden knot in his throat. Of course, he'd noticed her before lounging by the pool. He wasn't blind. But he also wasn't interested. He couldn't be interested. He didn't need that kind of distraction.
She shut the dryer door. "Sorry if you had to wait." She tipped her head toward his laundry basket.
"It's fine."
"Are you okay?"
"Fine. I thought you were all about respecting the privacy of your neighbors," he grumbled, knowing he was taking out his bad mood on her.
"You're right. I shouldn't care if you're okay. You just seemed to be having some drama with someone on the phone."
"Drama that doesn't concern you. You do this a lot, don't you?"
"Do what?" she asked warily.
"Insert yourself into someone else's business, like you did last night with the old guy."
"Walter Cobb almost got himself killed. Since I've been called to treat him three times in the last two weeks, I was concerned about him. I still am. But he doesn't want my help. And that stubborn pride could be his downfall."
She might not be wrong, but he didn't feel like telling her that. He did, however, feel like a jerk for trying to turn someone's kind concern into something bad. "I'm sorry," he said shortly.
She raised a brow in surprise. "About what?"
"It was nice of you to be concerned about him. He does seem like he could use some help. But doesn't he have family to do that?"
"He lives with his granddaughter, but I've never met her. She works long hours and is currently out of town. I don't know their situation, but I do know he's not taking care of himself the way he should, and I worry about the consequences."
"Do you always get so involved with people you treat?" he asked.
"I try not to, but sometimes when there is more than one call, it's difficult to stay detached. Walter also kind of reminds me of my father," she said unexpectedly. "He's a veteran, too, and he doesn't like to ask or receive help. Nor does he ever want to talk about what's bothering him." She gave a faint smile. "I seem to be surrounded by men who would really like me to leave them alone. I guess I should do just that."
"I shouldn't have snapped at you earlier. I was bothered before you walked in the door."
"From whoever was on the phone. I get it. Apology accepted."
"Thanks."
"I do have one more thing to say."
"What?"
"You should separate your colors from your whites." She tipped her head to his laundry basket. "That red shirt could turn everything else pink."
"I know how to do laundry. And I've washed that shirt before. It's fine."
"You like that word, don't you—fine?" she said with a drawl. "So, I'll just say fine and leave you alone."
"Fine," he said, unable to stop a reluctant smile from lifting his lips. Kaia Mercer definitely had a personality to match her red hair.
"That's a better look on you," she said approvingly. "You should try smiling more often." She left the laundry room, the door banging behind her.
