Page 6 of Spy Book Boyfriend

“Oh, that’s nice. Yes, I hope to take in some of the women’s sports like basketball and gymnastics. Oh, and I can’t forget track and field. They are some of my favorites.”

“Chances are America is going to bring home a ton of gold this year.”

“One can only hope. It seems like our teams are stacked. I look forward to seeing everything. I wonder what the opening ceremonies will entail.”

Just then, the waitress approached the table to take our orders. After she walked away, Aja began asking more personal questions. I found it amusing because if she read the dossier I left for her, she already knew the answers. I simply smiled and waited to see where she was going with this.

“So, I know you’re American, but where are you from?”

“Though I have homes all over the world, my company is based out of Atlanta, Georgia. That’s where I spend most of my time.”

She tried to look shocked at the news. Aja was an actress and could pull of this whole façade, but my skills as a former agent allowed me to see right through her.

“Oh, my goodness. I grew up in Atlanta. Well, it was actually Decatur, but I know the city well.”

“Decatur where it’s greater, huh?”

“Well, it used to be until all that gentrification happened. Now, it’s full of hipsters. It’s a damn shame.”

“You have a problem with hipsters?”

“Yes, when they take over a neighborhood and drive the people that have live there for decades out because they can no longer afford it.”

“You’ve got a point.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent. Let’s change the subject. What do you like to do for fun, Cruise?”

“Fun isn’t normally on my list of things to do. I’m afraid I spend too much time working.”

“Well, maybe that’s why you met me today. I am in one of the sexiest cities in the world and I intend to have a ton of fun. Stick with me, and I’ll show you a good time.”

After lunch, we decided to walk around the city. I took her hand, as we strolled from shop to shop. The crowd was enormous, and it was making my anxiety twitch, but I managed to tamp it down. It didn’t hurt that Aja was chattering on like we were old friends. She played her role well.

Things got a bit tricky when I received a phone call from one of my friends who was in on the plans. I stopped walking and lifted my phone so she could see it.

“I’m sorry, Aja, but I need to take this. Can you please give me a minute?”

She nodded her agreement and took a couple of steps away from me. The beauty pretended to window shop, but I could tell she was listening to my conversation.

“Hello?”

“What do you mean there is a problem with the package?”

I paused to listen to my friend. Irritation marred my face as he jabbered on about not meeting his deadline.

“Listen, I don’t care what you need to do. This has to happen on time. There are to be no mistakes. I will not accept any excuses. Get it done!”

I abruptly ended the call and stepped back to Aja. I watched her face in the reflection of the window. She was taking in everything I said, and I could see the wheels in her head churning. She turned to me with fake concern on her face.

“Is everything alright?”

“I apologize for the interruption. Just some work issues. Nothing for you to worry about. Now, how about you show me some of that fun you were talking about?”

“I have an idea. Let’s head into this store and grab some supplies. Then I’ll show you a fun game.”

We entered a small arts and crafts store, where Aja located some index cards and a couple of markers. After we made our purchase, she explained the game. We each would take six cards and write something on each that we wanted to do or places we wanted to see. Once we finished writing on the cards, we would hold them up so the other person couldn’t see what was written on it. They got to choose the activity blindly. It sounded like fun, so I agreed.

Since it was her game, I allowed her to pick first. The card on the left said Louis Vuitton and the card on the right said Balenciaga. She chose the card on the right, so we marched into the expensive store, and I purchased her the handbag of her choosing. The way the woman squealed with delight told me she was into shopping. When she jumped into my arms and planted a lingering kiss on my mouth, I was in heaven. It was the best 5k I had ever spent.

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