Page 53 of Your Place or Mine

She refused to answer but had another one-liner. “I’ve never had tenants who acted like replacing a faulty wire was a personal insult.”

“That wire’s been there longer than you’ve been alive.”

“That might be the problem.”

I glared at her.

How did she do it? Always one better.

She smiled again, and I hated how much I liked that smile. It was knowing, confident, the kind of smile that said she wasn’t afraid of a fight and maybe even liked one.

Which meant I was very, very screwed.

“Fine,” I said gruffly. “Do your walkthrough. Just don’t touch anything without telling me first. Here’s the correct key.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good.”

She started to turn, then glanced back at me, her eyes glinting. “But you should know—when I get around to touching something? It’s going to be worth it.”

My breath caught, just for a second.

But I didn’t let it show. I smirked instead, slow and mean.

“Just try not to burn the place down, princess.”

She gave me a look like she might throw something…maybe a wrench, but instead, she lifted her chin and backed away toward the door.

“See you soon, Callum,” she said, and it wasn’t a threat or a promise. It was both.

And then she was gone, the bell on the door jingling sweetly behind her like the bar hadn’t just been turned upside down by a woman in boots and sass.

I stood there, still gripping the edge of the bar.

Still trying to catch my breath.

This woman…

She wasn’t like anyone I’d ever known. And the more she pushed, the more I stepped forward instead of back.

Which was a problem.

Because I didn’t have time for feelings, I didn’t have time for flirty fights in the middle of the bar, or how her mouth curled around my name like she was trying it out just to see how much it would bother me.

And yet…

I knew she’d be back.

And damn it all, I’d be waiting.

Chapter Fourteen

Lydia

I walked out of The Rusty Stag with my heart pounding like I’d just finished an argument and a marathon simultaneously. The bell above the door gave a cheerful little jingle like it hadn’t just witnessed a full-blown territorial standoff between me and the grumpiest man in town.

The worst part?

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