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“Luck would have it for you, but not for her, she needs a handyman to help her fix her porch steps. Can you believe she was going to watch one of those YouTube videos and attempt to fix it herself with help from her little brothers?”
“That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen and a possible trip to the ER.”
“That’s what I said! So she needs help, and you used to have that summer job at the construction company when you were in college. So I offered up your services.”
“So you want me to work for her? And when would I find time for this?”
“On your days off which just so happen to coincide with her days off. Isn’t that convenient for both of you?”
I chuckle at the amusement in her voice. “Yes, it is.” I do remember her porch needing some work when I went over there to give her back her ID. When she also turned down my invite for a date. “You sure she agreed to this knowing it was me that’s going to help her?”
“Well…sort of…”
“Aunt Rachel,” I mumble. “She doesn’t know you were talking about me, does she?”
“She didn’t ask. I simply told her I was calling in a favor and I’d send someone over to help her. She agreed. Payment will be giving you a meal or two for the time you are there to work. That’s it. She happily agreed.”
“Happily agreed, huh?”
“Yes, sir, Officer James. Now get your ass to work making these Philly streets safe. You can drop by and thank me whenever you want for helping you do what you couldn’t.”
“What’s that?”
“Closing the deal and getting you a date. Byeee!”
I laugh, shaking my head at the phone in my hand.
“What was that about?” Miranda asks, next to me, in front of the locker room door in the police department.
“That was my Aunt Rachel. Apparently, she volunteered my services to Lexi. I help her fix a few broken planks on her porch and all it will cost her is one to two shared meals with me.”
“Well, will you look at that?”
“What?”
“Aunt Rachel has skills. Unlike you, Rachel is a playa for real.” She walks ahead of me.
“Hey, I have skills too.”
“Yeah…you keep telling yourself that.” She smiles, throwing a mock sympathetic look over her shoulder. “If it makes you feel better.”
“So annoying.” I huff, catching up with her.
* * *
“What the hellare you doing here?” is the greeting I get standing in front of the door with a bag of donuts in one hand, and a cup holder with two cups of coffee in the other. Not what I was expecting but it could be worse. He didn’t slam the door in my face.
“Hello to you too, and good morning. I’m here to help fix the porch.”
He looks at me and tilts his head. “Aren’t you the cop who pulled us over the other day?”
“Yes, I am. Noah James.” I smile, hoping it’ll be an indication I’m not here on police business. I place the donut bag on the coffee cups in my other hand and hold out my hand to him. “You’re one of the brothers who were in the back of the car.”
“Is this some kind of trick?” He looks at my hand and then back up at me.
“No. Of course not. I’m really here to help with the porch.”
“Yo, Drew!” he says, without looking away from me. This feels almost like a role reversal. He’s the cop and I’m a suspect. It would almost be funny if I didn’t have doubts about being sent away with my bag of donuts and coffee, and striking out again before I even get the chance to see Lexi this time.
