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Cole and I share a look, and it’s clear from his flash of confusion, that he wasn’t expecting anyone either. My roommate lays down his spoon and exits the kitchen.
Paige gives me an eyebrow raise, displaying mild curiosity that I don’t know how to respond to yet. But I get my answer seconds later when Cole stalks back into the room, not even trying to suppress a scowl.
“Delaney is here.”
Shit. Our parole officer.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Paige
Delaney must not be Dash’s friend, from the way his entire body tightens up at the sound of the name. I don’t think Cole likes the person too much either from the extra surly tilt to his mouth.
Behind the Dash’s roommate enters a tall, dark-skinned woman with a thick waterfall of braids, dressed in a worn pantsuit.
The woman’s expression is hard for me to read, and I wonder why Cole would invite her into their house if both men dislike her so much.
Is Delaney their landlady? Boss?
“Mr. Lamont, I am here to conduct a random home search.”
It takes me a second to realize she’s addressing Dash. He mentioned Lamont was his last name, but I’ve never really thought of him in such a formal sense.
Then the second half of her sentence registers, and that’s when I remember that both Dash and Cole are on parole.
They make it easy to forget. I don’t even know what Cole was arrested for.
This woman must be their parole officer, and from Dash’s frown, he was not expecting her visit tonight.
Guess that’s why they call the visits random.
“Fine. Nothing has changed since last time.” Dash’s words come out clipped, bordering on harsh. My nerves spike. Whether or not he wants this woman to be here doesn’t matter. She has the power to send both of them back to jail as far as I know.
“Who’s this?” Delaney nods my way. Dash stands from his seat and steps as if to block me from view. The tension in the room becomes a tangible thing, and my mind jumps around, trying to land on the right words to defuse the situation.
This woman is the law, just like my dad. How would I talk to him if I wanted to make clear nothing is amiss?
Honesty. He appreciates honesty and clarity. That’s worth a shot.
“Hello. I’m Paige Herbert. I’m a friend of Dash’s, and I’m just here making him and Cole dinner. There’s plenty, if you want some. Gumbo.” As I speak, I stand and move around Dash.
The woman stares at me with guarded eyes. I stop myself from offering a hand to shake because I get the sense she wouldn’t accept it. Instead, I muster a friendly smile.
Delaney continues to watch me for another moment, as if judging me. Is this what Dash and Cole have to deal every day of their lives?
Dash steps forward and wraps his hand around my wrist. “Can Paige wait in my bedroom?” His voice comes out strained as if he’s attempting to sound cordial.
The woman’s slim eyebrow raises just a touch, and she doesn’t respond.
“Dash, it’s okay. I’ll just sit on the porch.” I tug at my arm, but he doesn’t let me go.
“If you search my room first, can she wait there?” The words push through clenched teeth, and his discomfort is so pronounced I don’t try to get away again. Instead, I rub my palm over his knuckles, hoping to soothe him.
Delaney’s sharp eyes drop to watch my movement, but no expression changes her face. “All three of you will need to stay in the room as I search.”
Tension radiates off of Dash, and when he opens his mouth, I can see that the next words are going to be some kind of argument.
“That works!” I cut him off and wrap my arms around his waist, trying to tell him with my firm embrace to let the subject drop.
