Lexi gave me an approving grin. “You know your local artists.”

“I studied up before coming here,” I said. “I like to familiarize myself with the art scene in places before I visit.”

“Visit?” Jackson asked. “You’re not planning to stay then?”

I could feel Nick’s gaze on the side of my face. I wanted to see his expression, but I was afraid I’d lose my train of thought if my gaze was caught by his. It was clearly his superpower.

“I’m here for six months, well, more like five now,” I said. “And then we’ll see.”

“You’re going to make a decision at the height of the summer heat?” Lexi asked. “That’s a terrible idea. Any sane person would flee once the temperature hits one hundred and fifteen.”

“I heard it’s a dry heat,” I said.

All three of them laughed. I tried not to be offended.

“Sorry,” Nick said. He grinned at me. And there was that dimple! “It’s just that once you get past one hundred and ten degrees, does it really matter if it’s a dry heat? It’s hella hot and miserable.”

“Oh, goody,” I said.

“Don’t worry,” Lexi said. “Nicky has a pool. You jump in that and you’ll be just fine.”

“Are you planning to have a pool at the development?” Jackson asked her. She answered, but I wasn’t listening.

Instead, I turned and gave Nick a pointed look. He grinned at me, clearly not in the least repentant about banning me from the pool.

“There’s always room to negotiate, you know, like awarding visas to visiting cats,” he said. He looked amused. It charmed me silly but I fought it off.

“Is there?” I asked. “Because if it gets that hot here, we are most definitely going to have to adjust the rules. I will die—die!—if I don’t have a pool during that kind of heat.”

“Are you being overly dramatic in an attempt to win?”

“No,” I said. “I can assure you this is not hyperbole. Need I remind you, I am from New England. We can’t handle temperatures above ninety. Everyone freaks out and loads up on the iced Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. Then we’re all overcaffeinated and locked indoors, clutching our window AC units for dear life. Truly, it’s ridiculous.”

“Well, then,” he said. He pressed his lips together in an obvious attempt to not laugh. “We can’t have that. We’ll discuss.”

I gave him a sly look. “And put it in writing?”

“Of course,” he said.

I turned back to see Lexi yawning. She looked like she was fighting it off, but Jackson shook his head when he started to yawn, too.

“Stop that,” he said. Then he nudged her with an elbow, pushing her to her feet. “Come on, I’ll take you home before we both pass out.”