Not only has she threatened Everleigh and me but now she’s bringing our friends into this, and it makes me even more mad. I take a screenshot, email it to my parole officer and the detective, then block the number. If I can show solid proof, then building a case for harassment will be easier if she shows up.

Once I let Sassy back in, I clean up the house a little, then start preparing dinner. I’m so lost in thought that I don’t hear Everleigh come in. It’s not until she wraps her arms around my waist from behind that I notice.

“Jesus, you scared me,” I admit, spinning around to face her.

“You were pretty focused,” she says, pressing her lips to mine. “Smells delicious. And I don’t just mean the food.”

“I was.” I grip her hips and pull her in closer. “How was your day?”

“Great. Pretty busy actually. How about you?”

I release her and finish wrapping the potatoes in foil. When the oven beeps, I place them inside.

“Not bad. Was done by three,” I tell her. “I also ran into Dana at the store.”

“Yeah?” Everleigh opens the fridge and pulls out the butter, sour cream, and steak sauce.

“She acted a little…weird.”

Everleigh narrows her eyes. “What do you mean?”

I explain what happened, down to her touching my arm and being in my personal space. I even mentioned what she said about me no longer being single. Everleigh grinds her teeth like she’s ready to take her steak knife and find Dana.

“She’s been so damn sketchy lately, but this is her final straw. I’m firing her ass tomorrow,” she scoffs.

“Babe, don’t make any rash decisions. Maybe she was just being friendly, and I took it the wrong way. I’m not Southern bred.”

She rolls her eyes. “You don’t need to be. Everyone knows there’s a fine line between friendly and tryin’ to steal another woman’s man. She made you uncomfortable, and that doesn’t sit right with me.”

I grab her wrist and pull her to my chest. “Even if that was her intention, it’d never work. I’m too madly, crazy, and stupidly in love with you.”

She sighs, then finally smiles. “Fine, but I’m at least having a chat with her. Make sure she knows I’m aware of what she said to my man. Then if she pisses me off again, she’s gone.”

I chuckle, then tilt up her chin. “Another reason I adore you so much.”

I swipe my tongue between her lips and taste her sweetness.

“Maybe you can show me just how much,” she taunts.

“Always got your mind in the gutter, don’t ya?”