Page 157 of When Love Takes Root

Security-detail energy with homework due.

I turned just enough to include him. “You want to see too?”

His jaw flexed. “I’m good.”

“Cool.”

I left it there. His no didn’t need to become a contest.

JJ looked at him. “You might want to learn. You always acting like you can fix stuff.”

“I can fix stuff.”

Maya glanced up from her sketchbook. “YouTube can fix stuff through you.”

Zuri gasped. “Maya.”

“What? It’s true.”

Kayden’s mouth twitched before he caught it.

Celeste caught Kayden’s half-smile and held it like something precious.

Skye came over with her spelling test and held it up to me. “See my ninety-eight?”

I bent slightly. “That’s strong work.”

She beamed. “The S was not a snake.”

I studied the paper. “Looks more like a fancy ribbon.”

Skye turned toward Zuri. “See?”

Zuri nodded. “That’s what I said but worm.”

Maya looked at me then, her eyes careful and bright. “You really fixed everything?”

“Yes.”

“So the dryers won’t mess up again?”

“Not from what we repaired.”

“That’s not a yes.”

“It’s an honest answer.”

She held my gaze for another second, then nodded like honesty had passed inspection. “Okay.”

Kayden crossed his arms. “How long is the warranty?”

Celeste closed her eyes. “Kayden.”

I held back a smile.

Parole-board energy in Nikes.

I answered him without laughing. “One year on labor. Manufacturer warranty on parts. But if something acts wrong, your mother has my number.”