Page 41 of Filthy Twisted Devil

“Wade Locke, are you seriously just trying to get me home early to help with the horses?” I say, in a pitch perfect impression of Mom. He chuckles.

“I won’t pretend it wouldn’t be a bonus. Some of the guys are going home for the holidays, so we’ll be understaffed.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, but you’ll have to wait until the twenty-fourth for help mucking out the stables.”

“We’ll use all the help we can get. Are you bringing Luke?”

“No, he’s staying in Toronto with Brinley.”

Wade grunts disapprovingly. “Ah.”

I blink. “What, you want him to come?”

“He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he? If it was serious, I’d expect him to come.”

“Luke and I are celebrating together before I leave,” I explain. “The friend group is having a big party, and we’ll have our Christmas then. Besides, he’s got family, too. His parents are going out of town, and Brinley wants the company.”

“Doesn't she have a boyfriend for that?”

“She does, but—” The doorbell rings before I can finish my sentence.

“What was that?” Wade asks.

“The doorbell. It’s weird. I wasn’t expecting anyone…”

“A burglar. Common tactic, show up at someone’s door and pretend to have a delivery.”

“Or it could be an actual delivery,” I point out. Wade ignores me.

“Get out the bear spray,” he barks. “You've practiced using it, right?”

“Of course.” A lie. I wasn’t about to take the bear spray out into a park somewhere like a psycho. Obviously, now is not the time to tell my brother that.

“Have it ready in your hand when you answer the door.”

Despite my internal eye rolling, I grab the bear spray as I head to the door to peek through at my visitor. Better safe than sorry. When I see the familiar face outside, I shake my head.

“It’s Pippa,” I tell Wade. “Gotta go.”

“What if there’s someone behind her with a knife?” he asks.

I open the door. “Hey, Pippa. Is there anyone behind you with a knife?”

She raises her brows. “Not that I know of.”

“See Wade? We’re fine. I’ll call you later.”

I hang up in the middle of him ranting about ignoring obvious dangers and gesture for Pippa to come in.

“Sorry to drop by unannounced,” she says. “I was on my way home from work and I thought I'd stop by with some takeout.”

I grin. It’s more than a pleasant surprise. Pippa and I have been getting closer in the past few months, but this is the first time she’s just dropped by unannounced. It’s nice. Living in the apartment without Brinley can be a little lonely, in the rare moments I have that aren’t immediately filled with work.

“I’m glad you came, because that sounds perfect.” I shove the work papers littering the kitchen table into haphazard piles and put them on the table. “I’ll get us something to drink. Wine?”

“Yes! Red if you have it. The ideal Chinese food pairing.”

“Perfect, since that's the only kind I have.”