Page 20 of Hiding Hollywood

“You’re wound up tight today.” She laughed, not seeming at all intimidated by his threat. “Your mom drove us. She ran into your dad when we were leaving the coffee shop a few minutes ago and sent me down here.”

Good. That saved him a headache from figuring out what to do with her if he did arrest her. He tossed the pen and pad of paper onto the desk and crossed his arms. What happened to those large eyeglasses from two days ago? It’d knocked him back a step seeing her looking so down to earth. Approachable. Touchable. Well, it was probably a good thing she didn’t keep them on now. He didn’t need her looking more appealing and being so friendly. What happened to the perpetual flirter? The vain, narcissistic woman that thrived with turning a man’s head? There was a chance they could be civil to each other after all.

He looked at the cup in her hand. “How does the Crossroads Coffee Shop measure up to your big city coffee shops?”

Addie’s cheeks turned pink. The woman who acted as though she knew every man she passed fell out behind her actually blushed. Dammit if it didn’t make her even cuter.

“When I placed my order, I think I embarrassed the lady behind the counter. I didn’t mean to make her feel bad. I was so distracted by all the Christmas decorations still up that I didn’t even read the menu. Just ordered.” Addie brushed a hand over her shoulder. “I think I was attacked by a rogue Santa Claus shedding glitter.”

“The one near the register?”

Addie grinned. “Yes! I don’t know how there’s not glitter in my coffee. I still feel bad for ordering it.”

“How difficult was your order?”

She held up the cup, partially blocking her lips. “Non-Fat Frap with extra whip, extra hot and chocolate sauce.”

“Are you sure she wasn’t confused?”

She passed him her cup. He accepted to keep it from dropping. “Try it.”

He examined the inside. “Did she actually make it?”

“Not at first. Once I realized my mistake, she pulled out her phone and looked up a recipe.” Addie pointed at the cup. “I gave her a few extra directions. It’s as good as anything I’ve gotten at any coffee shop in L.A. Try it.”

The cup’s lid had a faint trace of her lipstick. This shouldn’t be a big deal. Hell, she’d taken a sip out of his cup for no other reason than to get a rise out of him.

But, even though the woman had disrupted his life and annoyed him with her superficial coverings, his body didn’t seem to care. The threat of Trevor beating the crap out of him if he touched his sister didn’t put a dent in the moment. He’d take it. He needed the distraction.

Cameron took a sip.

She smiled again and nodded. “Good, huh?”

He grimaced, coughed, and struggled for a breath. “No. That was horrible.”

Addie’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

He coughed again and croaked out, “Seriously.” That’s why he took his coffee dark, without anything else. People always screwed up a good thing.

“Your loss. I like coffee anyway it’s served. Hot or cold. Sweet or bitter. Ice cream. Lollipops. Hard candy. Whatever.”

“I’ll take the loss, and you can keep your coffee.”

The front door opened. Mrs. Latham came in, her typically happy expression now worried. “Cam, someone broke into my car behind the coffee shop.” She rushed forward, holding out a to-go cup similar to Addie’s. “I brought you a coffee.”

Cameron’s shoulders sagged. Another break-in. He couldn’t get ahead.

“I see you already have a coffee,” she said.

He started to hand it back to Addie. “No, this is hers.”

“You can keep it.” Addie smiled and almost looked innocent. Almost. “I know how much you enjoyed it.”

“Oh!” Mrs. Latham clasped her hands together. “I’m so glad you liked it, Cam.”

“Yes. It was great. Here,” Cameron said, handing Addie the cup as his face grew warm from the lie.

Addie raised her eyebrows, lips tilted in a mischievous grin. “You know,Cam,” she began as she stood, emphasizing his old nickname. “I’ll leave this coffee here with you, and I’ll take this one.” She took the one Mrs. Latham held out. “That one will give you extra energy. You know. All the sugar.”

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