Page 5 of Hungry As Her Python

I crossed my arms, desperate for armor.

“Look, Conrad, I’m sorry you caught feelings. I told you then—it was just one night. You’re a big boy. I shouldn’t have to explain this to you.”

A slow grin curved his mouth, and his cheeks darkened with what might have been embarrassment—if I believed for a second that Conrad was capable of being embarrassed.

Hint: He wasn’t.

“I meant about the fire, Sugar. But if there’s something else on your mind, I’m all ears.”

And there it was.

The sexy eyebrow raise.

The slow once-over that lingered on my soot-smeared apron and hair.

Well, crap. I walked right into that one.

“I’ll call Jaxson later with my statement. Goodbye, deputy,” I muttered, pushing past him before I could dig myself deeper.

Behind me, Petyr let out a low snort.

“You like him.”

“I do not.”

“You do.”

“Petyr, I swear on the Goddess’s cupcake stand, I will turn you into a fuzzy throw pillow.”

Worst. Day. Ever. And it was only just starting.

Chapter One-Bella

Okay, so Spring in Castor’s Corner used to be my absolute favorite season.

Call me crazy, but I loved the mood swings of Mother Earth during that time of year.

Hot, cold, dry, wet.

Like she was throwing climate tantrums, and I was here for it.

It made me feel connected somehow. Just knowing that I wasn’t the only hot mess around kinda helped, I guess.

Technically, Palm Sunday was a disaster, but by the time Easter had come and gone, I’d managed to salvage some treats and chocolates for the actual holiday.

Fact was, I put that fire out of my mind almost as soon as it happened.

I mean, I’d thought I’d already seen the worst of Spring on that cold, crappy morning.

Oh, but bless my clueless heart, I was wrong.

Between Mother Nature’s bipolar disorder and not knowing what natural, or unnatural, disaster might strike next, well, let’s just say my closet was a fabric avalanche waiting to happen.

I had short, flowy dresses tangling with thick sweaters and flannels, and all of it was mixed up with my plethora of pink chef’s pants.

This time of year, you kinda needed to be ready for anything.

And believe me, I thought I was.