Page 63 of Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

“That’s lovely. They must be so grateful to have someone of your stature assisting their career.”

If only.

We walk far enough that we approach the street that borders the park, Livia’s bed-and-breakfast sitting grandly on the other side.

“Are you wanting to head back to the house?” she asks.

“Oh, no. I was looking for Kelsey.”

“Oh.” Her voice drops. “Are you two ...”

“No, no,” I say quickly, in case Popcorn Boy is local and I might start gossip. “We work together.”

“Are you auditioning people on the road?” Her voice catches with excitement, as if she might be on the verge of getting discovered herself.

“Something like that. We’re casting a new movie.”

“Well, I did a fair amount of theater in high school.”

And here we go.

We reach the street, and I’m not sure where to look. “The last time I spotted her, she was at the stage, but we just left there and walked the entire length of the festival.”

“I haven’t seen her.” She lets go of my arm. “Do you need to find her?”

Dang it. “I think I do. I’ll catch up with you later?”

Her smile returns. “I’ll make some coffee. Come downstairs if you want some.”

I hear the invitation in her voice. “Thank you, Livia.”

I turn on my heel, pulling out my phone. I swiftly text Kelsey.

Are you still at the fair?

I walk the full length of the booths another time, phone in my hand, willing her to respond.

A hundred images go through my mind. Kelsey, in the throes of a passionate embrace behind the cotton candy tent. Kelsey, already running off to some white chapel in the boonies, ready to prove the fortune teller wrong.

The fortune teller I paid.

Damn it.

Or worse, Kelsey getting abducted by some popcorn psychopath.

I can’t take it a minute more, so I do something I know I shouldn’t. I put through a call.

I think it’s going to roll to voicemail, but then I hear Kelsey’s shaky voice. My entire body goes on red alert.

“Hey, Zach. You need me for something?” The trembling makes me shake with rage.

“Yeah, it’s time to go. Where are you?”

“I, uh, okay.” There’s a muffled sound. “I’m going to have to go.”

I hear that motherfucker’s voice, saying something like, “You sure?”

But I also hear something else. Singing. They’re near the stage.

---