Addy laughs. “The shower is free. You can keep your soul and leave here debt free.”

“Sorry.” I offer both women a tight smile. “Where are my manners? Addy, Avery. Avery, Addy. Sounds like a rhyme.”

Addy smiles. Avery does not.

Swarley whines. That’s basically all he does. He spent most of the night under the outside cover to the tent, probably to avoid the warm fuzzies between Avery and me. He whined, Avery told him to get inside the tent. He refused.

I stayed out of it.

Not my dog. Not my problem.

“Have you eaten, Avery? Can I get you something?”

“Avery’s on a water fast.” I pull out her suitcases, not knowing which one has her bathing shit.

Avery lets Swarley out of the back of the truck since we’re clearly not leaving for awhile. “I was yesterday, but I’m breaking the fast this morning. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I’d be happy with a banana or a handful of crackers. I’m starving.”

Addy nods toward the house. “I think I can do better than a banana and a handful of crackers. I’m a little surprised Chef Matthews didn’t offer you something from his stash.”

I roll my eyes as Avery tugs her suitcases toward the house.

“Jake, manners. Don’t make her lug those suitcases.” Addy punches me in the arm.

“Avery’s very independent.”

Avery releases the suitcases and keeps walking without a glance back. “I’m really not. Swarley, go lie down.” She points to a shady spot before the steps to the front door.

Addy snickers as I grab the suitcases, holding my breath to keep from grumbling.

“Top of the stairs to the left, Avery. Towels are in the warmer. Help yourself to soap, shampoo, absolutely anything. I’ll start making breakfast.”

“Thank you so much.” Avery gives Addy a genuine, I-owe-you-my-life smile, but when her gaze lands on me nudging her toward the stairs, she narrows her eyes, jaw muscles working overtime.

I smirk. “I’m not claustrophobic. You can tie me up before you kill me. Have you ever tied a man up, Avery?”

In spite of her obvious hatred toward me at the moment, her lips fight what I know is a grin.

“Anything else?” I set her suitcases just outside of the bathroom door.

After making a slow inspection of the bathroom, she turns back to me. “Your friend has good taste in decor.”

I lean against the doorframe. “She does.”

“Except when it comes to friends.” Avery crosses her arms over her chest. “You are a terrible person. The king of scumbags. I don’t know how someone as nice as her ever befriended you.”

I nod, biting my lips together. “I’ll be downstairs. Take your time as long as it’s less than twenty minutes.”

“Asshole.” She grabs the door.

“Princess.” I step back just as she slams it in my face.

“Still here?”