I turned around and looked at her. “And you don’t think you are now?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, am I? Choose what you say wisely, Chef.”
I shook my head and decided not to say anything.
“Good choice. I made the appointment for Monday, if that’s okay with you. I know you’re cooking Tuesday and Thursday.”
I nodded. “That works. You wanna ride out to the house with me to grab some things Saturday evening?”
She nodded, extremely excited. “Can we stay the night and come back Sunday afternoon?”
“Yeah. I fuck with that.”
She giggled. “Maybe I could watch you chop more wood.”
“You like that, huh?” I placed the sausages in the pan and turned to wash my hands. Then I found my way between her legs since she wanted my attention so much.
“Yes, I do. It’s sexy. My lumberjack without the plaid.”
I busted up laughing. “Jade, that ain’t what that means.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s how I see it and I’m so fine with it.” Her arms found their way around my neck while my hands found where her body met the island. “I’m not going into the shop today. Ava has convinced me that she has it.”
I nodded. “You trust her, don’t you?”
Jade nodded. “Of course I do.”
“Then that’s th—” My statement was interrupted by a knock on the door. Immediately, I questioned who I could be. “I got it, baby, flip the sausages for me.”
I didn’t wait for her response. I was already moving toward the front door. Once at the door I looked through the peephole. Irritation immediately filled my body because what the fuck was she doing here? I stepped back and opened the door with a mug plastered on my face. Showing up to my business was one thing, but to pop up at my home was something different.
“You wanna tell me why you’re at my door?”
She smiled politely, eyes roaming from my face to my bare chest. They lingered for a moment before the sound of my voice interrupted.
“I said would you like to tell me why you’re at my fucking door.”
She cleared her throat and changed her stance, eyes finally finding my face again. I could see in them that she damn sure wasn’t thinking about a case. “I was wondering if you had time to meet with me about some of my findings as it pertains to your wife’s case.”
I laughed. “Ex-wife.”
“Oh my apologies, your ex-wife. From what I understand, her auntie who used to keep Aja wasn’t aware that the two of you were having problems.”
“That makes two of us.” I stood firm at the door, waiting for her to finish her spiel.
“What I’m saying is, there is no indication that there was anyone else she could have left you for. How do we know she ran off?”
“Except the letter and the money she took, right? But I’m not about to keep having this same conversation with you, especially whe?—”
“Baby, who’s at the door?” Jade’s footsteps and voice made me turn around. There she stood, her wild hair all over the place and inquisitiveness in her eyes. When I didn’t respond, she eased under my arm to see who it was.
I could see irritation in Detective Jordan Oaks’ eyes when she laid eyes on Jade. Shit was crazy because this woman was supposed to be here to investigate the disappearance of my ex-wife, yet she was mugging Jade up.
“Baby, this is Detective Jordan Oaks. She’s here to investigate Ashley’s disappearance. She just finished talking.”
“Oh, okay. Well, have a good day, Ms. Oaks. The sausages are done, babe.” Jade turned on her heel to walk away, but I caught her hand.
Before she could say anything else, I closed the door with my free hand and pulled Jade against me. I spoke lowly against her forehead “Nothing to worry about, I promise.”. I figured I’d address it before it festered. I pressed a kiss against her forehead.
