“Look who it is,” I say.
“Still up from the Underworld I see.” Quincy tips her head to the side. “What do you have to do to stay in Satan’s good graces, Dunn? Sell your soul to eternal damnation? It’d be nice if you could hurry up and sacrifice yourself. Our town is a much more pleasant place without you inhabiting it.”
“Good to see you again, Monroe. I knew you couldn’t resist coming over. The four hours we spent apart were too much for me too.”
“It’s a wonder you don’t get a migraine from how big your head is.” She sighs, the hint of exhaustion behind the exhale. “Congratulations on the win. I’m convinced you paid someone to seal your victory, but Harlow and Mia said your chili actually tasted good.”
We were busy throughout the entire cook-off, a line snaking through the park for either the food or Cooper in his tight white T-shirt, I’m not sure, but we barely have anything left over. I grab one of the last bowls and lift it her way.
“Want to give it a try and share your honest opinion?”
Quincy leans forward. Sniffs the offering and steps back. “Is it safe to eat?”
“We could Romeo and Juliet it if you want. I’ll go first. I’ve always liked being a noble guy.”
That earns me a smile.
It’s faint.
Bordering more on a grimace while she probably plots my demise, but it’s something, and I’ll be damned if I can’t get her to do it again.
“If it’s poisoned, I’m going to haunt you from the afterlife.” She takes the chili, fingers curling around the base of the bowl. “The Grim Reaper and I will make your life miserable.”
“When you do your haunting, can you keep it to daytime hours? I like my sleep.”
“Not sure you’re in a position to barter, Dunn.”
“Tell me what position you want me in,” I toss back, smirking when her cheeks flush even redder.
Point, me.
“Away from me would be preferable.”
“We’ll get there soon.” I drop a spoon in her bowl. “If it makes you feel better, Cooper did the cooking.”
“What a relief.” Quincy brings the spoon to her mouth and swallows. “Dammit. That isphenomenal.”
“Sucks to lose, doesn’t it?”
“I’m glad it tastes good.” She shovels down another bite. Her shoulders sag when she swallows. I’m not sure she’s even stopping to breathe. “And we didn’t lose because of favoritism.”
“I’ll make sure to pass along your congratulations to Coop.”
Awkward silence settles between us.
I’m not used to being around her without having our friends as a buffer. Our lives all overlap, with Mia and her and everyone else getting along. Quincy and I have done our best to play nice when we’re in a group, but the time we spend alone is minimal. I clear my throat, glancing around for something to use as a conversation starter.
“Did you—”
“I saw—”
I laugh when we talk at the same time. “Go ahead.”
“We have our first named storm of the season. Alice. It came out with the five o’clock advisory,” she says.
“Five o’clock? That was hours ago.”
“You’re behind, Dunn.”
