“Down the street from Horne’s. I saw the for-sale sign and figured I could park in the driveway without being too suspicious.” He shrugs almost shyly. “I couldn’t focus to drive safely anymore, not with your mouth on me.”

A big shot of pride shoots through me.

I, Zoey Walker, did that to him.

“Okay, so you think we can drive back out of the neighborhood the same way? Like we’re just two people who came to look at the house?”

I lean forward to look at the house in question. It’s another ranch-style house with a locked gate next to the driveway we’re parked in, cedar shutters surrounding every window, and an iron-framed glass front door. I couldn’t afford one month at this house if Jacob and I pooled our money for a year.

“Needs work. I don’t think it’s the one,” I joke, feigning sadness as I shake my head.

“I have something else in mind. You up for a little double-oh-seven work?” Blake asks me with a daring smile.

“You can be James Bond.” I point at him, and then myself. “I’m sticking with Velma. Jinkies!”

“Hmm, and there goes my idea of your being a ‘Bond girl’,” Blake teases, putting the car in reverse with a shake of his head like my weirdness amuses him. As we drive down the street, he tells me his grand plan. “I saw Yvette, the guy, and a red dog leave in his truck. But he was taking the trash out as we drove by.”

“Okaaaay,” I drawl out. “You’re not planning to break into the house while they’re gone, are you?”

Blake’s eyes shoot to me.

“Are you?” I whisper, horrified.

“No.” He shakes his head as if he’s not sure of that answer yet. “But I like that you’re thinking that way, my little daredevil.” I am so not a daredevil in any sense of the word, but it makes me wiggle in my seat that he called me that. “I’m thinking we grab their trash. Perfectly legal, and possibly informative.”

“Trash,” I repeat. My nose crinkles in disgust. “Ew.”

“Just hit the button to open the trunk. I’ll grab the trash,” he informs me dryly.

“Oh, okay then.” I nod agreeably.

“For someone who literally sticks their hands inside people’s bodies, you’re grossed out by trash?” Blake asks, disbelieving.

I shrug. “Everybody’s got their limits.”

He laughs but doesn’t say anything because he’s throwing the car in park and opening the door. I push the button he pointed out, and the trunk swings up behind me, scaring me even though I knew it was going to happen.