“Hello, Allen,” Reid said cheerfully. He was still standing too close to me and I took a step to the side.

“What are you doing here, Decker?” Allen asked. His eyes darted between the two of us and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. Which was absurd, since nothing had happened, nor was going to, nor would it have been any of Allen’s damn business if it had! I shook my head in frustration.

“I made the gossip mill at Bread & Bean,” I said. “Reid came over to pump me for information about the new break in. I suspect he’s secretly a reporter for the local crime beat.” My hand slipped into the doughnut bag once more, retrieving a restorative bite of what turned out to be-- oh, heaven-- apple cider.

“I’m not gonna get my scoop if you keep giving me all this ‘no comment’ crap,” Reid joked back with a grin. Allen still looked less than impressed.

“Yeah, Rose called me last night-- all freaked out, thank you for that-- but she said you didn’t see anything. Where is Rose, by the way?”

“Doing her laundry,” I replied.

“Great, I thought we were doing wedding shit today,” he grumbled, looking put out. He glanced towards the staircase, but didn’t move. Instead Allen fixed his gaze back on Reid and I.

“You know, if nothing actually happened we should probably all just move on with our lives.”

“Has there been any progress on your case?” Reid asked, undaunted by Allen’s tone.

“Not a peep. This town seems to be going downhill, fast,” Allen replied with a smirk. “Maybe it’s time for some new leadership.”

“Small town drama,” I said with a whistle that caused both men to startle. “This guy I knew once had his apartment broken into and pretty much cleaned out, and the city cops basically told him good luck but we have too many murders to solve. And yet here the Sheriff personally investigates a little B&E. Kinda crazy, right?”

Allen rolled his eyes. “I’m going to find Rose. Decker, thanks for dropping by.” He departed with one final glare, at me for some reason, and I felt my hackles rise.

“Gee, I forgot the part where you live here, Allen,” I muttered, though he was long gone. Reid chuckled.

“I’m not exactly his favorite person.”

“Well he’s not exactly mine, either. But I try not to be a dick about it.”

Reid studied me, his hazel eyes dancing with amusement. “It’s hard to imagine you being a dick to anyone,” he said. I was glad I hadn’t gone for another bite of doughnut so there was nothing to cough on.

“Wow, that couldn’t be farther from what… probably most people would say about me,” I said. “I was like, top of my class in Asshole Academy. Seriously, I’d offer to get some references but they’d all tell me to fuck off if I called.”

Reid shook his head, eyes still filled with mirth. “Nope, I don’t buy it. You’re a little snarky, but I’m betting you’re all squishy on the inside. Like a jelly doughnut.”

“OK, maybe I will let Allen kick you out,” I said, glaring at him. His smile refused to be affected.

“I should see myself out anyways, I’ve got a couple more errands before work.”

In spite of what he’d said I found myself following Reid out to the porch.

“Thanks for, uh, checking in, I guess. And the doughnuts. Those were really good.”

“Anytime, jelly,” he said.

“Oh no you don’t,” I fumed, marching down the stairs after him. “You can’t just keep giving me nicknames, we aren’t even friends!”

“Aren’t we?” he asked, a glint in his eye. I continued to glare at him and, after a moment, it looked like I was getting through. His gaze turned serious.

“OK,” he said, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m going to stick with firebug then, because it’s feisty and cute, like you.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I don’t see what’s so cute about someone who runs around setting fires. Sounds more dangerous to me.” I balled up my fists so he could see how serious I was, an effect that was instantly ruined when he leaned close and I stumbled back. He had the audacity to laugh softly in my face.

“Only when left to your own devices. But don’t worry, I’m always close by.” He hooked a thumb over towards the patch of woods that shielded his house from view and I turned to stare at it. By the time I looked back he was almost at his truck. He waved at me without turning around.

“See you next time, firebug.”