The heat was as killer as it had been the day before, beating down on him with vicious intensity. Today Alex had actually worn sunscreen, which he normally didn’t bother with as his complexion was so dark he rarely had to worry about burning. But this heat wave was something else altogether, thus the sunscreen. Before he started on the bushes, he also applied a healthy dose of bug spray.

“Here goes nothing,” he said as he got busy with a chain saw. He was working out months of frustration on Evan’s brush when the man himself appeared on an old Honda motorcycle that looked like it had seen better days.

“Am I hallucinating?” Evan said after Alex cut the motor to greet his friend.

“I know I deserve that, but it’s probably not wise to harass a man with a chain saw, especially in this heat.”

Evan held up his hands and laughed. “Stand down. I come in peace.”

“Sorry it took so long to get here. Things have been…complicated.”

“How’s your mom?”

Alex was prepared for the question, as he answered it often enough in the course of each day. “She’s declined rapidly, but we’re coping, thanks to the generosity of a lot of people.”

“If there’s anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask. I mean it, Al. Anything.”

“Thanks. Your mom and the other ladies from church have been incredible. They’re propping us up.”

“If you can bust loose tonight, Owen and I are playing at the Tiki. Everyone’s coming, so it should be a good time.”

“I’ll have to see what the situation is at home, but if I can get there, I will.”

“Call me if I can help.”

“I will. Appreciate it.” Alex eyed the brush. “Better get back to it. This is going to take a while.”

“My family and friends will be grateful for your efforts. Lots of bitching about scratched cars and trucks when they come to visit.”

“I’ll get you fixed up.”

“Thanks, man. Come up to the studio if you need to cool off.”

“I might take you up on that.”

“See you later.” Evan started the bike and took off down the lane toward the studio.

Alex fired up the chain saw and got back to work. The mindless task gave him plenty of time to think about what had happened the night before with Jenny. He’d spent a lot of hours staring up at the ceiling when he got home, reliving every exquisite minute he’d spent wrapped up in her.

She’d claimed she didn’t do things like what they’d done together, but he’d known that before she told him. She might as well have the words “Good Girl” tattooed on her forehead. Despite her reservations, she’d responded to him like a bad girl—a very bad girl—and he’d loved it.