Page 12 of Hiding Hollywood

“No.” She crossed her arms like him and shifted her weight to her other hip. “Fast, six-speed Mercedes are more my taste.”

He narrowed his eyes and leaned down until they were nearly nose-to-nose. The green of his eyes still startled her. “You mean your boyfriend’s speed. That washisstolen car you were driving after all. Based on your background check, you don’t even own a car. Just living off”— he made a sour face—“Brian.”

She could afford any type of car she wanted if she didn’t care about letting friends and family, or the world, know about her source of income. She out earned Brian by three if not four times.

His lips twisted to the side, and he slipped his hands into his pockets. “Don’t get mad, Addie. I’m simply stating the facts.”

“You’re clueless.”

“No. I believe that adjective is already taken.”

Addie suddenly didn’t care about her cover or her job. Proving herself worthy in Cameron’s eyes blew away any feelings for keeping her secret. She took a step, pointing her finger. “Listen—”

“Cameron,” his mom called in a high-pitched voice as she exited the library, taking quick, long steps in their direction. “I heard about a new break-in. That makes the fifth one in a week, right?”

The dark humor in his eyes disappeared. “Yes, it does.”

“What did your dad say about it?” His mom waved to someone leaving the library and seemed to miss the flash of insecurity before he looked away. What was that for? He’s been nothing but an arrogant ass since they’d been reunited.

“We haven’t talked about it today. Dad’s still in that meeting in Atlanta.”

“I’ll make sure he calls you when he gets back in town. You guys need to get a handle on this.” Mrs. Dempsey rose on her toes and kissed his cheek in a motherly way. “Y’all will figure it out.”

“Yup.” He looked out over the street. “I’ve got to get going.” His gaze snapped back to Addie. “I have hardened criminals to watch for, and I need to make sure I locked my truck.”

Mrs. Dempsey pulled out her cell phone. “I’ll text your father now and let him know about it. I know he’ll come up with a plan.”

Addie pressed her lips together. For some reason, instead of rubbing his nose in it, she wanted to make him feel better and take away that glimmer of uncertainty she’d seen when his mom suggested he needed his dad’s help.

She ran a hand through her hair. “I’ll be sure to stay inside, so I don’t confuse you in the hunt forrealthieves.” She winked, something she often did, but her world brightened when his crooked smile, the old one that melted her insides, reappeared for the first time.

“Addie, dear, didn’t you mention that you needed to check your email? There are a couple of computers open in the library.”

“Email? Is your phone not working? Didn’t you say you checked your email in the truck.” Cameron’s confusion made sense. She’d checked her personal email. Not for her real job.

“The email on her phone can’t pull up her work email.”

“Really?” They both stood watching her. She tried not to look nervous, or disappointed, but judging by the way Cameron analyzed her so intently, she didn’t do an excellent job of it.

“Yeah, but no biggie. I’ll try again later.” She flipped her hair and glanced around the street. “Is there a nail salon in this town?” Any excuse to stay away from Cameron. She looked at her nails. “I would love a good mani/pedi. Relax after yesterday’s nightmare.”

“There’s a lady that does nails, but we’ll have to schedule you an appointment.” Mrs. Dempsey motioned to the library. “Are you sure about the computer, Addie? I don’t mind waiting.”

She focused solely on Mrs. Dempsey. “Yes. I’m not even sure I’d know how to get to the website to check my email.”

“Since when is working the perfume counter really that serious?” Cameron asked.

Addie lifted her eyebrows at the dig. And to think she felt sorry for him a moment earlier. “Between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, there are several new releases and other…things I need to know about.” That didn’t sound very confident. She really needed to work on a cover story for a reason to be on the computer. “Not everyone can pull off your pine trees and grass smell.”

“Takes a real man to smell like one.” He set his hands on his hips, his gun shifting. “What kind of cologne does Brian wear? Or does being a moron have a special scent you’re attracted to?”

“More like the smell of success.”

“Didn’t realize living off your parents’ money and one toothpaste commercial equaled success.”

“Trevor told you to look into his background, didn’t he?”

“He didn’t have to.”

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