I Knew You Were Trouble - Cassie Mae Page 0,18

basket, blowing out a breath. “Okay. I think I’m ready.”

“Go get him,” I encourage, stomping down my amusement over how ridiculous she looks. Can’t help my grin, though.

I settle against the back of the couch, crossing my legs at the ankles and letting my body warm up. Who knows if that spider is even still around. The thing most likely scuttled off when she flipped out and ran outside. But hey, going in where she found him will be one step toward conquering her fears.

Her eyes go up and down my relaxed posture. “Um… you’re coming in with me.”

“I am?”

“Yes. You need to teach me.”

“I should teach you how to kill it.”

“I’m not killing it.”

“It’d be easier.”

“And meaner.”

“Isn’t that the point?”

She glares at me. “I want to be a badas… a badas…”

“Ass.”

“Yes. Not just an… an…”

“Ass.”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, so what you’re saying is, trapping and releasing is badass,” I summarize, since she has a hard time with the word. “Killing is just… being an ass.”

She puts a finger to her nose. “Right.”

“Got it.” This might be trickier than I thought. “I’ll try to keep that in mind moving forward.” I push off the couch and head to the kitchen, my bare feet making barely a sound on the wood floor. I’ve never lived anywhere that didn’t creak every other step.

Candace follows me, keeping close, her hands up with the bowl and paper in the ready position. “He was over there.” She nods toward the counter by the stove. Hey, I was right. Apple pie.

“And he’s on vacation from Australia, huh?” I tease, but she nods like I’m not. I take the few steps toward the counter and that delicious scent, eyeing the freshly made pie. Did she bake just for me? Man, do I hope so.

I search the counter and the floor around it, finding nothing. “You wanna check over there?” I ask her, and she hides all but her eyes behind the bowl before searching her part of the kitchen.

After a good two, three minutes, the spider is nowhere to be found, and Candace is nowhere near feeling okay about that.

“What if it went into my bed?” she shrieks. “I won’t be able to sleep until we find it.”

“I’ll stick around for a bit.” I slowly reach for the bowl and sheet music, kinda like I’m taking a bone from a dog. I set them gently on the counter. “Maybe he ran out when you opened the door.”

“Spiders like warmth, Pete.”

“Most things do.” I kink my neck toward the fireplace. “Mind if I get my feet toasted?”

“Oh shoot, I’m sorry.” She grabs me by the sleeve and tugs me toward the couch. With a force I didn’t think her capable of, she shoves me into the cushion, tosses a blanket over me, and hurries to the front door. A few seconds later she’s got my socks and shoes in her hands, setting them up nicely in front of the fireplace.

“Thanks.” That was unexpectedly nice of her. Maybe this teaching thing will have perks besides the monetary ones.

“I’m usually a better hostess, but… spiders.” She shivers before taking a seat next to me. I hand her part of the blanket, and we bundle up.

“Does that mean I’ll get pie eventually?” I knock my shoulder into hers so she knows I’m teasing. Well, I’m pretending to tease. I really do want some.

“If you’re good.”

“But you hired me because I’m bad.”

She tosses her head back, her wavy, red-brown hair hitting me in the face. “Always need to argue with me, don’t you?”

“Part of my charm.” Hey, she argues with me, too.

Pete

The crackle of the fire fills the room, and the sun starts to fade. I tilt my head at my toes kicked up, the flames flickering beyond my feet, the smell of apple pie lingering in the air, and warmth in every inch of the room, not just the ones that need heat. It’s gotta be nice.

“You seriously live like this all the time?” I ask after a couple minutes.

“Like what?”

I take my hand from the blanket and wave it around. “This. You can afford this on your paycheck? ‘Cause I doubt it. We work at the same place.”

She lets out a laugh and sinks into the couch. Her hip slightly touches mine, but I don’t think she notices, since she keeps it there. “Here it comes.”

I jerk back at her tone. “Here what comes?”

Her head rolls toward me, the fire reflecting in her dark irises. “You’re going to give me the spoiled brat