Undercover with the Hottie (Investigating the Hottie) by Juli Alexander Page A

turn on the irrigation system and lay out in the sun.”
    Irrigation system. At home, we use sprinklers. And we call them sprinklers.
    When we made our way back to the stairs, I turned back for one last look. I bet it looked even more like a winter wonderland after a snow.
    I shivered violently, unable to stop myself. If I ever moved to NYC for real, I'd have to have GASI design a coat with a built-in heater.
    Logan put an arm around me. “Sorry, Amanda, we stayed up here too long.”
    “Y-y-you aren't cold?”
    “Not really. I would be before too much longer though.”
    He let me take the inside of the staircase and positioned himself next to me as if to help block some of the wind. My teeth chattered like crazy, and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
    “Guess they don't grow them as tough in Chicago as they do in NYC,” he said with a laugh.
    Sorry Chicago. I didn't mean to make you out to be a bunch of wusses. I couldn't even answer what with my teeth chattering.
    I turned the handle on the door and rushed into the hall, jumping up and down in an effort to get warm. I'd never had chills like these.
    I started to take off the coat so we could hang it up, but Logan stopped me. “Leave it on until you get warmed up.”
    “I f-f-feel like an idiot.”
    “I have an idea, but don't think I'm trying to make a move on you.”  Logan opened one of the bedroom doors. “Come on in here and wrap up in the blankets.”
    I peered into the room and saw the inviting comforter and throw. Thick, probably down, and no doubt warm.
    Logan held his hands up. “I'll leave the door open, and I'll stay in the chair across the room.”
    I laughed in between shivers. Then I went into the room, sat on the side of the bed, and pulled the bedspread around me. Logan helped me free the bottom corners and tuck it around my legs, and I was completely cuddled in the heavy blanket.
    “Is that better?” he asked.
    I nodded. “Just give me a minute.”
    Logan smiled at me. “Was it worth it?”
    “Oh yeah.”  The chattering of my teeth had slowed to bouts of a half dozen instead of a continuous chatter.
    “Hey, man,” a familiar voice called from the hall. “Have you seen Amanda?”
    Uh oh. I looked up at Logan who stood suspiciously close to me, and then over at Will who'd walked far enough into the room to realize that I was in the center of the comforter burrito.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    Will's expression turned menacing. “What's going on here, Amanda?”
    Logan held up his hands. “It's not what it looks like,” he said.
    Will practically growled at Logan. “We had a deal, man. I look out for your sister, and you look out for mine. We agreed. Hands off our sisters.”
    I was impressed that Will managed to keep our covers because I knew he was angry. Very angry.
    “Will!” I jumped up, tossing off the cover. “W-w-will. Calm down.”
    He stopped when he heard me shivering and actually looked at me. “Are you okay?”
    “I was cold. Just cold. W-w-we were on the roof. It was so p-pretty. Logan didn't do anything wrong.”
    This situation could turn bad fast. We had to get out of here before Logan picked up on the not-so familial vibes.
    “Logan,” I said. “Can you give us a minute?”
    “Sure. It's cool, man,” he said to Will. “I promise. Nothing went down here.”
    Logan went into the hall and shut the door.
    Will stood there for a minute. He closed his eyes for several seconds as if summoning calm. Then he walked over to me. “You're really okay?”
    “I'm fine. Cold. Not as bad as I was, but still cold.”
    Will reached out to feel my cheek with the palm of his hand. “You are freezing.”
    “M-my legs are worse.”  I tried to smile.
    “Sit down,” he said.
    When I did, he pulled the blanket back around me. Then he sat next to me and wrapped his arms around me and the blanket.
    “Should we call Nic?”
    “No. I'll be okay. I feel silly, but I got so cold.”
    There was a knock on the door, and Will called