Page 19 of One Bad Idea

In a quiet voice, Cassidy asked, "What happened?"

I gave a casual shrug. "Nothing. The job sucked anyway."

"Don't tell me…." She cringed. "You were supposed to work today?"

"Oh, you know how that guy was." I tried for another laugh. "I was supposed to workeveryday."

Her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Allie. I'msosorry."

That wasn't what I wanted to hear – not because I didn't appreciate her concern, but rather because I didn't want her to feel bad. She hadn't forced me to do anything, and besides, if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.

And I told her so, even as she stood and made her way to the nearby dresser, where she dug through a small stack of clothing. She pulled out a pair of shorts, a little yellow T-shirt, and even a bra and panties, both with the tags still attached.

And then, she hustled me toward the private bathroom, insisting that I take at least an hour to shower and rest.

The showering part was easy. But as for resting?

It didn't happen.

And why?

It was because I spent most of that time arguing with the jackass who'd answered the door.

Chapter 7

Freshly showered and dressed, I was standing alone on the front porch, staring at the empty electrical socket.

I felt my brow wrinkle in confusion.My phone – where was it?

Before barging into the house, I'd hooked it back up to the charger and then tucked it behind a potted plant, intending to retrieve the phone and charger before getting back on the road.

But then, in all the commotion, I'd forgotten both of them, at least until after getting out of the shower.

Now, I'd returned, but the phone and charger were gone. The charger, I could replace.But the phone? Not so much.

Especially without a job.

I bit my lip. Maybe Cassidy had spotted the phone on the way in and snatched it up?

No.If that were the case, she surely would've mentioned it. With a pang of new worry, I glanced around and then did a double-take.

What on Earth was he doing?

Earlier, I'd parked the truck out on the street. I'd even locked it, too.

Now, the truck was still there, but the passenger's side door was wide open, and my shirtless nemesis was leaning with his ass against the side of the truck while talking on his cell phone.

Technically, he wasn'tcompletelyshirtless, but he might as well be. The red hoodie was back, not that he'd bothered to zip it up.

When he saw me gaping, he should've been embarrassed – not because of his clothing, but rather because he'd obviously just broken into my vehicle.

But this guy – he didn't look embarrassed at all. Instead, he looked annoyingly at ease, leaning against a truck that wasn't even his own – or mine, for that matter.

I hollered out, "Hey! What are you doing?"

In reply, he held up an index finger, signaling for me to wait.

I felt my jaw clench.Wait, my ass.