Page 39 of Hiding Hollywood

He shrugged. “I guess. I’ll be by in the morning.”

She didn’t wait for a good night kiss. He still thought that she was dating Brian. She would have to take his mother’s advice and wait until the right moment to let him know.

13

Alight mist from heavy rain clouds cast his parent’s house in an eerie shadow. Addie acted as though she took long runs every day. She looked fit, but that didn’t mean she could keep up with him. But he’d slow down, enjoy their time together, and deposit her back at his parents’ house, keeping his distance like he knew he should.

Lacy placed two paws on his shoulder and licked his face when he took too long getting out of his truck.

The dog needed a day out as much as he did. She bounded for the backyard in search of squirrels to chase the second he opened the door. Must be nice to have such freedom from everything. Cameron stepped onto the porch. The front door swung open before he knocked.

Addie emerged with a shy smile. “Good morning.”

“Mornin’.” In one subtle sweep, he sized up his running partner. She looked the part. Tight leggings, the color of a yellow highlighter. A fitted, white long sleeve shirt. Her toned legs ended with a pair of hot pink running shoes. “Cars will definitely see you coming.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to have any fashion sense since you wear a tan shirt every day of the week.”

He motioned to his clothes. A sweatshirt that he knew would come off about halfway through the run and black running shorts. “This is high fashion.”

“No, those are clothes you’re about to sweat in.” She glanced at the sky. “And get wet in.”

“What are you wearing? You’re about to sweat too.”

“Yes, but I will be fashionable when I sweat.”

“You’ll besomethingwhen you sweat,” he added under his breath. “And you’re not wearing makeup.”

She ducked her head away from him, her voice unsure. “Somehow that doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

He reached for her arm as she tried to push past him, catching her with a gentle, unrelenting hold. “It is.” He tipped her chin up with a light finger until she looked up at him. “You’re very pretty without makeup.” Beautiful, really.

Her brown eyes widened. “You don’t have to say that.”

“I don’t lie, Addie.”

“Cameron?” His mom’s voice called through the screen door.

He jumped back five steps like a teenager caught in his bedroom with a girl.

His mom came to the door. “Remember we have that benefit dance Saturday night.”

“I remember.” He had a lot to remember. Like keeping his hands to himself.

His mom’s eyes flicked between the two of them. “Weren’t you going for a run?”

She meant so much more by her statement, punctuated by a sly smile. Cameron also ignored her raised eyebrows. “Lacy is in the backyard,” he replied, hoping his tone sounded unaffected. “I have no idea if she’ll actually stay there or not.”

His mom whistled, and the dog came bounding up. “Of course, she will. She loves me.”

“Don’t feed her table food.”

“I’ll let you know when you’re old enough to tell me what to do,” his mom said with such a sweet tone of voice it tugged a smile from his lips.

Addie dropped to her knees. Lacy ran right to her. “Cutest dog ever!” She scratched her ears and belly when it was offered to her. “How on earth could anyone throw you out?”

He squatted down next to her. “If she peed in their house as much as she pees in mine, then I have a clue.”

Addie pressed a kiss to the dog’s forehead. Cameron felt a small bit of jealousy at the attention. He’d had a moment last night, when she kissed his cheek, that he’d almost lost his control. He’d practically pulled her across his lap, shitty boyfriend or not. Thank goodness for Dewey sitting in the patrol car right behind them.

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