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He shifted on his feet, the boards under his boots groaning with the move. “We’re looking for Hudson. Is he around? We haven’t seen him since yesterday’s meeting.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Calista shaking her head. “No. He and Oliver left this morning to look into a lead regarding the case. Is there something I can help you with?”

Miles’s dark hair glinted in the light with his slow headshake. “No, it’s about the case and Caroline. We haven’t heard from her.”

“Oh.” Calista stood straight, worry now lining her face. “I can try to reach Hudson, though he might be out of cell range. You two are welcome to hang around for a bit if he doesn’t pick up.” She turned her face to me, and a wide grin spread across her lips. “I’m sure Sam would love some time with her big friend.”

At that, Sam reached out, her tiny, slightly sticky palms sealing to either cheek. “Big friend. Play.”

“Wish we could, little bit,” I said, squishing my lips and mimicking a fish, which had her eyes lighting up and pushing my cheeks in even more. “But we have someone coming here in just a few who we need to meet up with. No playing today.” Her hands fell away, and she tucked them under her armpits in a cute pouting stance. “Though maybe we could come by later with Jubie?”

Sam’s eyes widened, and her thick blonde hair bounced with an enthusiastic nod. “Yes, big friend and Jubie.” She looked over to Miles, who gave her a two-finger wave. “Big friends and Jubie.”

“Seems like she’s warming up to you,” Calista said to Miles, who looked shocked by Sam’s words. “I knew she would. It just took some time, considering you’re fifteen times her size.”

“I’m not that big,” he grumbled, shoulders rounding as he squatted low, putting him at almost eye level with Sam, where I had set her down on the porch. “I can come too?”

She nodded and whirled around. “Big friends. Tea and cookies. Jubie and my dog Bacon.” Her voice trailed off as she hurried deep into their cabin, no doubt to prepare the make-believe tea and cookies for the playdate.

“We’ll come back later. Hopefully, we can talk with Hudson before teatime,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “Would it be okay if our friend came too?”

Miles whirled around to face me and mouthed a “What the fuck?”

“Is this friend like the last one, who you two still can’t shake?” Calista asked, biting her lower lip to conceal her growing smile.

I scoffed and waved her off. “No, absolutely not. Aspen is different. She’s… special,” I said with a confirming nod, more to myself than Calista.

“We just met her,” Miles griped while running a hand over his short dark hair in exasperation. I knew what that move meant, considering he did it a lot around me. What could I say? Sometimes I was a lot to handle.

“And you, my all-work-and-no-play friend, haven’t stopped smiling since you met her last night. Oh, and what about those texts this morning that you practically giggled over, hmm? When have you ever reread a text string over and over and?—”

“You’re basing the seriousness of this ‘friendship’”—she air-quoted the word for emphasis—“on him smiling and a text?”

I hooked a thumb in Miles’s direction with a nod. “Have you met the guy? Any type of communication with someone other than me is a signal that all systems are a go.”

“What, now I’m a damn rocket launch?” Miles snapped. “We met her yesterday?—”

“And fell in love immediately?—”

“Sure, she’s cool as hell?—”

“Plus, hot as hell,” I added, which awarded me a side-eye and smirk from Calista.

“But also leaving in a week,” he ground out around his clenched jaw.

The dude was tense as fuck. He needed this to work out with Aspen more than me.

“A lot can happen in a week,” Calista said behind her fingers, which attempted to hide her wide, knowing smile. “Well, if she’s still around later, bring her too. Though I’m not sure how Sam will react to sharing your attention.”

“Very true.” I chuckled. “Speaking of Aspen, we need to run. She should be here soon.”

Miles and I thanked her for her time and promised to return later before turning on our heels and clomping down the few steps to the short walkway that led to the road.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Miles groused beside me. “What were you thinking, inviting Aspen over to their place?”

“I was thinking of shoving you in the direction you’re already headed,” I stated over my shoulder. “I’m not saying we kidnap Aspen and keep her?—”

“That wasn’t a consideration, but now I’m concerned that you thought it might be on the list of possibilities. You know kidnapping is a crime, right?”