Free Little Bird (Caged #1) by M Dauphin, H. Q. Frost

no solid answers, but now I want to know. I want to find out what she's done and how. I really assumed she'd have a mess of clues and answers for me, but there's nothing and Jasper's adamant there isn't 'nothing'.
    After a quick shower, I toss on shorts and a t-shirt and am out the door, Google searching the closest pet shop. 
    Three hours and a few hundred dollars later, I'm standing on her front porch with nerves starting to make me feel like this might have been a bad idea. Pressing the doorbell, I stand and wait for her to swing the door open, ready for a fight. She's got that attitude about her... always on guard and ready, even if she doesn't mean to show it. 
    The door opens and she's wearing a turtleneck dress thing... It's eighty and sunny out. But I guess she has to hide what I imagine is a fucked up sight under there.
      "Lucas," she cautiously says my full name I never gave her permission to call me. But I guess she never told me to call her Megs either. Her eyes glance around behind me. "What're you doing here? I'm fine. I'm sorry how you found me. And thank you. For... what you did. But I'm fine."
      "Are you going to let me talk or just keep rambling on and on? I mean, I know I'm good-looking and all, but there's no need to be nervous around me." Quirking up a slight grin, her eyes momentarily go wide before the mask returns. 
      "As attractive as you may be, you always seem to remind me why beauty is only skin deep." Her door partially closes. "What do you want?"
      "Well." I clear my throat, hiding the amusement in my voice as best as I can. "I looked all over for your bird," I lie, "but I never found any traces. So..." I hold up the small cage with the bright yellow canary inside and smile. "I brought you a new one." 
    Her eyebrows are high and her mouth is hanging open as she stares at the cage. "A bird? You bought me a bird to replace Pretty Bird?"
      "I mean... nothing can replace Pretty Bird. But, I bought you another bird to... stink up your house." I can't mask the smile on my face and she's still staring at me with the confused and surprised expression. 
    She finally rolls her eyes and pushes open the door, stepping to the side. "I know how to care for my pets, Lucas. My bird did not stink up my house." She gestures me inside.
      "You seem to have cared for your snake pretty damn well too." 
    She gasps but before I see the anger on her face, she dulls it down, giving the door a firm shove so it slams. I expect a smartass remark, her to tell me I'm vile and idiotic. Instead, I get slammed in the chest and shoved against the door.
      "Who are you and what the fuck do you want?" Her weak attempt at forcing my hand is cute.
    Jasper was right, she isn't stupid, but she's not smart enough to outsmart Lucas Acey. I take her hands and move them back to her side, slipping around her while I walk to the kitchen and smile setting the bird on the kitchen table.
    Extending my hand I say, "Hi, my name's Lucas. I'm a computer geek at heart and I love solitaire." I'm laying on the charm way too fucking thick just to get in her pants and finish this job. I could get so many other chicks way easier than this one. 
      "Why the fuck won't you leave me alone? And why'd you bring me a bird!" she shrieks, glaring at the fucker that won't stop whistling a happy little tune.
    I have a feeling I'm going to wake up to a yellow bird head in my bed.
      "You looked so sad when Pretty Bird got out. And... there was a sale." I shrug and shove my hands in my pockets. "Uh... so about that whole having to be out in a week thing?" 
      "Jesus Christ," she mutters dropping her head. "A fucking bird sale. Did you buy me a bird so you can have more time to clean out your family's house?" she snaps. "After you saved my damn life, I think I can give you the time you need. I just expect you not to be a dick and to realize the longer you're there, it puts off me selling the place."
      "I can live with that. I mean... I did