Page 13 of Risky Move

“Careful.”

She looked at Tom, even as her skin tingled with electricity where he touched her arm. “Obviously, I overpacked,” she stammered.

“I’ll carry it—no tripping on my watch.” Even his soft laugh made her heart flip.

“I almost fell because I’m a klutz. I’m okay now. Thank you for not watching me do a face plant.”

A slow smile crossed his face. “No emergency room in my plans tonight.”

Cassie hesitated before breaking contact, hoping he didn’t notice the goosebumps or hear her racing heart.

“Thanks for coming back to help me,” she said as he lifted the bag over his shoulder.

“Maybe you need to get used to that.” She saw the smirk and his attempt to hold back a laugh. “I’m not leaving you behind.”

* * *

“Cassie? Wait up!”

She stopped as Tom pushed the door open and saw the guy from the Stand Up to Bullies event and a gorgeous blonde date approaching.Yikes! His name was…

“Shall I stay?” Tom asked.

“Do you know his name?”

“Yep—Cliff Camden. How does he know you?”

“I met him at the anti-bullying kick-off.” Cassie noticed the frown that flashed across his expression.

“Word of warning—he has quite the reputation.” Tom had leaned close to her ear to keep his voice low.

“Thanks. This won’t take a minute.”

Tom made eye contact with Cam, nodding before continuing through the door.

“I didn’t see you—avoiding me?” Cam greeted when he and his date stopped beside her.

“Why would I avoid you? I was watching the twins in the play area Lauren set up. They keep me busy.” She glanced at the girl beside him. “I’m Cassie Johnson—Lauren’s niece if you met the newlyweds.”

“This is Amelia—my twin sister,” Cam introduced.

Amelia smiled. “I’m glad to meet you. But, please call me Amelie—or Amie. I prefer the French spelling. Cliff mentioned you, perhaps?” She looked at her brother with a teasing smile. Unlike Cam, her voice carried a lovely French accent.

“Our paths crossed at a Suns’ event,” Cassie said. “Happy to meet you, Amelie. Are you in Tampa for a while?”

“Amelia’shelping to set up my new condo. I may have mentioned it when we met?”

Cassie shrugged. “Maybe. Your sister’s very kind to help you.”

“She has an ulterior reason, don’t you, ‘Amelie?’” He ignored the glare she lasered toward him. “She just finished her second year at the University of Paris and is taking a semester off. Something about declaring a major.”

Amelie laughed and swatted her brother. “Too many choices, Cassie. My parents refuse to pay for living expenses in Paris if I don’t take a full schedule.”

“I hear you. I’m in the same situation…except, I don’t even know if I want to go to college. But I enjoy working as a nanny. Are you staying in Tampa a while?”

“Until Cliff kicks me out. I hope I can find a job, so he won’t call me a freeloader.”

Cassie glanced outside and saw the Chadwick’s SUV pull in front of the entrance. She slipped her phone from her purse and handed it to Amelie. “Call your cell phone, please. Then we’ll have each other’s number. Maybe we can get together—if one of us can borrow a car.”

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