Page 15 of (La)Crosse My Heart

I involuntarily take a step back, not wanting her to stab me accidentally.

“Okay. Anyway, can we get your help with something?”

She frowns, and I find my gaze stuck on her lips. They look so red and kissable.

I shake my head, trying to pay attention to her answer.

“You need my help with something?” she asks. “More than just a reputation rebuild?”

I roll my eyes and nod. “Yes, you can put it on my tab.”

“Am I going to be running for my life? Or is this a hazing welcome to the neighborhood?”

She’s definitely a lot more skeptical than I thought.

“We need your help to dig something out of a hole.” I wince, knowing that doesn’t sound like the best explanation, either.

She shakes her head and closes the door a few inches.

“My roommate threw a chicken bone down the disposal, and we can’t get reach it. Our hands are too fat, and I’m worried one of the idiots will cost me more than their monthly rent if we don’t get it out now. Not that they’re really idiots, just that they don’t always use their full brain capacity when making decisions.”

She opens the door wider and says, “You want me to stick my hand down there to pull out a chicken bone? Really, Denton? I don’t believe it.”

“Please, Jessa. I won’t let anyone near the switch while you’re trying to get it out. I’ll owe you dinner or something.”

She looks at me for several long moments and I’m worried that if I say anything, I’ll sway her to the no zone.

Then I think of an idea.

“I’ll just talk to Nora then.” I turn around as if to walk down the porch steps.

“Who’s Nora?” Is that a touch of jealousy in her tone?

“She’s our ninety-one-year-old neighbor. I’m sure she’ll be okay helping us out.”

Jessa makes a loud groan and says, “Fine. Let me get my shoes on.”

I wait for her nearer the sidewalk and laugh as she comes out in a large fluffy robe and what looks to be animal slippers.

“What are you wearing on your feet?” I ask, trying to squint in the darkness.

“Buffalo. They’re my favorite, so don’t judge.”

I hold up my hands and shake my head. “The animal or the slippers?”

She punches me softly in the shoulder. “Both, all right?”

“You don’t love cuddly kitties or something a little?—”

“Less terrifying? Not as much as the buffalo.”

“That’s a choice I didn’t foresee.”

She raises an eyebrow. “So, you’ve been trying to figure me out?”

I open my mouth, but I’m not sure what to say. “That’s what you’re trying to do with me. I figured I’d have time to do the same for you.”

“What have you thought so far?” she asks.

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