Page 22 of Hiding Hollywood

“Dinner, honey.”

“Oh, shoot, I asked him, but we got off topic.”

Mrs. Dempsey made a little noise of agreement. “That tends to happen.”

Addie scrambled. “No.” She made it sound like they had something going on. “It’s not like that—”

“Has your boyfriend called yet?”

She crossed her arms. “No. He hasn’t.” What did that have to do with anything?

She made that little noise again, and Addie narrowed her eyes at the implication.

“We started discussing coffee.”

“With Cameron?” She laughed. “Don’t bother. My boy only drinks something that resembles tar instead of real coffee. And never offend him by putting anything like creamer or sugar in it. He thinks it’s sacrilegious.” She paused and pointed. “There he is now, following Mrs. Latham back across the street. Run over there and ask him about supper.”

She gave Addie a gentle shove in her son’s direction. No use in pointing out to Mrs. Dempsey that she didn’t have anything in common with Cameron to discuss besides coffee.

She swiveled around and walked back down the sidewalk. Cameron’s back stiffened the moment he spotted her. Mrs. Latham headed into the coffee shop while he shoved his hands in his pockets and waited by the door.

She slowed down and strutted a little more without being too obvious, satisfied that this time, finally, his eyes followed her every move. This is what she’d practiced for the past few years. She could handle the chase when she was in the lead, making the calls. Despite every reasonable thought, she wanted him to chase her. To look at her the way other men did.

“Forget somethin’?”

No matter how many times she prepped for it, the slow roll of his accent always hit her hard. “An answer to your mom’s question about supper. We got off topic earlier.”

His phone chimed. He pulled it out, shaking his head. “My mom asked me to pick up some beer for tonight.”

She’d texted? Addie’s face flamed with heat. Why had she sent her to ask him to begin with? She whipped her head around to see Mrs. Dempsey leaning against the car, watching them. She waved.

Addie didn’t wave back.

Cameron shoved his phone back in his pocket. “I should have seen it earlier. Tanya Dempsey is the perpetual matchmaker.”

“That’s so weird.” She ran a hand through her hair, hoping the shock or small shred of hope didn’t show. “Right?” She asked at his silence. He still didn’t answer, only pinned her in place with his dark look.

Her thoughts had traveled down that path and hit the dead end called reality. She broke into computer systems for a living. That wasn’t exactly conducive to dating a cop.

Finally, he shook his head. “I’m sure you’ll be excited to know that I don’t think I can make dinner.”

She should have been excited. Ecstatic, really. Keep her from the constant stress to stay away. But, she had to admit a pang of disappointment ran through her. She’d hoped her job could distract her from the attraction. Deep down, she didn’t want the distraction. She wanted him.

But she wouldn’t let him know that. With a smile and shrug, she turned away. “Your loss.” She strutted back to his mom’s parked car, her mind racing at Mrs. Dempsey’s subtle plan. Her and Cameron? Did she really think that would work?

Mrs. Dempsey didn’t have all the facts. Her job was a top priority in her life. She loved it. There was nothing, short of being stranded in a small town facing grand theft auto charges that would keep her away from working forWhite Rabbit.

To be with Cameron, she’d have to come clean about her job. She glanced up at the blue sky. Nope. Not going to happen.White Rabbitdidn’t allow it, and it wouldn’t get her Cameron, anyway. He’d probably lock her up on principle.

And she could never entirely be herself around him. He might tease her about her glasses and sloppy clothes, but Brian had drilled it into her that guys only said those things to placate women. That she looked ten times better with hair and makeup fixed. He always expected his girlfriend to look spectacular.

She was finally ready to move on from Brian. She couldn’t land herself in another relationship where she couldn’t be herself.

Cameron would have to remain right where he was. Stored in the fantasy between closing her eyes and falling asleep.

8

Addie stood hip to hip with Mrs. Dempsey and watched every step to make fried chicken. Addie’s mouth had never watered this way before. Hot grease and fried meat. Not something you typically smelled in L.A. She bet Trevor would love this. He’d enjoy the food, but more, he’d love the time spent in the kitchen. Cooking side-by-side and having fun. They’d done it together several times with their parents traveling and away from the house so much.

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