Page 36 of The Love Duet
Pepper stepped forward, almost putting herself between me and Officer Morton, and her entire body was locked for battle.“Are you crazy?”she spat insultingly.“This man just saved my life.Do you honestly think I give a shit about him sleeping in my shed?Are you seriously threatening him with trespassing when all you should be doing isthankinghim for helping take a criminal off the street?”
“Ms.Milo-”
“No,” she snapped, cutting him off.“You do not get to stand on my property and threaten someone who just saved my life.If you want to be a dickhead, then do it elsewhere.”
“Okay,” I said, finally chiming in, not wanting the spitfire to get arrested.“I think...Officer, I understand, and I will be sure to...to move along.”
“What?Wait-”
“Ms.Milo, I suggest you calm down and take the time to understand the gravity of your situation,” Officer Morton told her, and I almost winced.The man had no people skills whatsoever.“A derelict trespassing on your property is a dangerous thing for a single woman.”
Pepper Milo looked like she was going to pop a vein.“You dare to call a veteran a derelict?Are you kidding me?”
“It’s okay-”
“No, it’s not,” she bit out, turning her fire my way.“You don’t get to call a serviceman a derelict when your job is to patrol thequietstreets of Macon.”I almost laughed at how Ms.Pepper Milo was not giving a fuck right now.“He might be an officer of the law, but it’s not like he’s patrolling the streets of New York or L.A.”
“Ms.Milo-”
“Do you need anything else from us?”Pepper practically growled as she turned back to face Officer Morton.“Because if you don’t, then you can kindly leave.”
“Ms.Milo, it’s probably not a good idea to piss off the people that want to help you,” Officer Morton chided, and Pepper wasn’t the only one who didn’t appreciate his bullshit.
“Are you threatening not to do your job, Officer?”I asked, ready to get arrested for the greater good.
His back immediately straightened.“I am doing no such thing, I assure you.”
“Then perhaps you go do your job, and if you need to question me any further, you can come back tomorrow,” Pepper told him.“I’m tired and just want to go to bed.”
“Very well,” Officer Morton replied through clenched teeth.“We have your information if we need anything else.”Then looking at me, he added, “Do not make me arrest you, Mr.Austin.Please, find other resources to accommodate your needs.”
“Of course,” I replied evenly, not wanting to create any added drama.
As the officer turned to tend to his arrest, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of admiration for Ms.Pepper Milo.It was easy to feel intimidated by law enforcement, but Pepper was proving to be rather spunky for her size.
“Do you want something to drink?”she asked out of the blue.“Because I definitely need something to drink.”
She was inviting me into her home, and she really did need a lecture on safety.
Chapter 4
Josiah~
Against my better judgement, I followed Pepper Milo into her house, and it was hard not to take inventory of how I looked, smelled, and spoke.It was one thing to be outside in the fresh air and open space, but it was quite different to be near me in a confined area, and a kitchen or living room would count.
Standing by the doorway, though embarrassing as it was, I asked, “Are you sure that you’re okay with me coming inside?I mean, I don’t exactly smell fresh.”
Pepper immediately scowled.“Are you kidding me right now?”She jerked her chin towards one of the front-facing windows.“You sound like Officer Dipshit out there.”
“I’m sorry?”I chuckled.
“Do you honestly believe that I care how you smell or what you’re wearing?”she asked, planting her hands on her hips.“You saved my life, Josiah.How much of an asshole do you think I am that I would care how you smell?”
“Most people would,” I replied carefully.“Once the adrenaline of the night began to wear off.”
“Well, those people are dicks,” she retorted.“Now, don’t upset me further with this nonsense.Take a seat, and I have wine, water, soda, and orange juice.”
“Water would be good,” I said as I made my way to the kitchen, figuring that the chairs in there could be wiped off easier than the fabric on her couch.
