Page 33 of Fake Engaged to the Enemy

She looks between both of us. Her shoulders slump. “I’m probably overreacting.”

“Or you’re stressed and need to share what’s happening,” I offer.

Catherine chews her lip. “A photographer that used to hang around Crimson a bunch found me here. He came into the museum and started to ask me all sorts of questions while taking my picture. Ginny had to kick him out.”

My stomach drops. “Why would he follow you out here?”

“Looking for a story. This guy has been sued at least a dozen times for infringing on a celebrity’s privacy. I just know he’s going to come out here and we’re going to get more and more unwelcome guests.”

If she really isn’t dating Crimson, why all of this?

I fight back the urge to ask.

If she’s dating Crimson, she wouldn’t be pretending to be engaged to me.

“Let’s take a deep breath,” I urge. “If this was a situation one of your clients was in, what would you suggest they do?”

Catherine presses her fingertips to her temples. “I suppose I’d tell them to face it head-on.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. Let me pick up my stuff here and we can plan our attack,” I suggest.

Catherine gives me a startled look but nods slowly.

I tidy things up and pour the excess paint back into the can. By this time, Catherine’s in the kitchen with Lynn. She’s sipping cherry cola out of a margarita glass.

Lynn pats her shoulder. “I’ll leave the two of you to talk.”

“You don’t have to leave,” I protest.

Lynn only winks at me.

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. Just what’s going on in that head of hers?

I don’t have the time to think too much about it.

Catherine heaves out a sigh once her grandmother’s gone. “I know this isn’t what you signed up for.”

“Nonsense. You needed someone to help take the heat off you. What else did I sign up for?” I ask.

She squints at me. “Dinner with your parents?”

I chuckle. “And you faced them for me. The least I can do is help you with this photographer. Now. Tell me about him. Is he dangerous?”

“No, just pushy. I suppose sometimes he borders on stalkery but I’ve never felt like I’m in danger around him,” Catherine answers.

I nod slowly. “Then we’ll have to take matters into our own hands. Tomorrow I’m going to go into the realtor’s offices and see about buying that place up the road here. Either way, you and I are going to have a sit down with this guy.”

“What?” Catherine’s eyes widen.

“If it’s the inside scoop he’s after, then we’ll give him the inside scoop,” I say with a grin.

“That… might work.” Catherine takes a deep breath as she straightens. “Are you sure?”

I nod firmly. “Bring it on.”

***

Lanky and thin, Donny looks like a paparazzi photographer. His eyes bug out of his head in a way that makes him look permanently surprised.

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