I laugh softly, shaking my head. "You're unbelievable. I'm not walking into a stranger's house just because he's handsome. Carlson, I need to go."

"But Hazel, I think it isn't so bad."

I don't even allow her to complete the sentence when I utter a goodnight and cut the call. "Let's talk tomorrow."

The call ends with a click, and I tuck my phone back into my pocket. I bend a little to dip the bowl into the bucket.

I have done it just twice when I feel a warmth brushing the back of my ...