Page 9 of Hiding Hollywood

“I suppose you will,” he replied as he pulled into his parents’ driveway. Towering pine trees, still green in January, grew in perfect rows on either side of the gravel road. The scent of the woods he loved drifted into the truck as he drove past.

He put a little more space between them as he propped his arm up on the door. The truck bumped along until the small clearing opened up. His parents’ white, one-story ranch sat directly in front.

She leaned forward, staring at the house with an unreadable expression. Did she like it? She lived near L.A., so this was probably a lower income house for her neighborhood. It didn’t come close to the five-bedroom house she and Trevor had grown up in outside of San Francisco. Although, he’d rather have had this life with his parents than hers. Trevor had complained several times that it seemed the housekeeper knew more about him and Addie than their own jet-setting parents.

He cleared his throat. “I know it’s not a fancy, five-star hotel like you requested—"

“I love it.” The simple statement and blatant honesty in her eyes caught him off guard. It was hard to know which way was up with her.

He parked and climbed out, meeting her with her pink duffel bag as she hesitated at the bottom of the porch stairs, clutching her purse. “I’ve never stayed with strangers before.”

“But we’re not strangers.”

She tilted her head up and watched him for a long moment. “In a roundabout way, I don’t guess we are.”

Cameron’s hand hovered behind her lower back for a brief second before he dropped it to his side. He had no business touching her. It wasn’t right, and Trevor would kill him. His dad would kill him. Instead, he chose to live, adjusted her bag, and motioned toward the house.

“My mom is really nice and only the third most gossip-loving woman in Statem.”

“Third?” She looked at him before looking at the house. “I didn’t know there was a formal ranking.”

“In this town there is. My mom enjoys pumping my dad and me for information on the behind-the-scenes action in town.”

“I heard that.” His mom pushed open the screen door. Her hair was pulled back, her long black ponytail trailing over one shoulder. Her typical sweet expression permanently in place. She never aged. “I hope you included yourself in that list.”

“I have a professional responsibility to listen to gossip. Addie, I’d like to introduce Tanya Dempsey, my mom and the best cook in Statem.”

“Welcome, Addie,” she said and shook Addie’s hand. “Nice to have you stay with us for a while.”

Addie grimaced and looked between the two of them. “I know it’s really more of an imposition. I hope to be out of your hair in a couple days. Once my boyfriend, Brian, comes here to explain this mix-up, the judge will clear me. I really didn’t steal a car.”

He hated the man’s name when she said it. How could she stand it after the loser left her in jail?

His mom waved a hand in the air. “We all know that, sweetie. You’re welcome as long as you need to stay. Don’t consider yourself a stranger.” Her look was one that Cameron knew from over thirty years of experience. Arguing with her was useless. “You’re simply a friend we haven’t met yet.”

Addie quirked her lips to the side. “That’s a nice way to look at life.”

“My mother-in-law cross-stitched that into a sampler that’s hanging in the hallway. I’ve always liked that philosophy.”

Cameron’s phone chimed with a text message from Dewey, reminding him of a job more important than delivering Addie. “I need to swing by the house to check on Lacy, and then head into town.” He rested his hand on Addie’s shoulder without thinking.

For anyone else, it would be a simple gesture, but the flash of heat there almost made him jerk away. Or move closer. His fingers tightened on their own.

Her eyes widened a fraction.

Crap. She thought he was like every other guy, falling all over himself to get to her.

He cleared his throat and stepped away, his tone dropping into something he’d use with anyone that’d been arrested. “Remember that you’re technically in custody. We need to know your whereabouts at all times, so don’t leave the house without—”

“Goodbye, Cameron,” his mom interjected as Addie crossed her arms with annoyance. They might not like to be reminded of her situation, but he needed that reminder.

A few days distance should help. He could make it for two weeks. Then, she’d fly back to California. Back where she belonged.

3

“Brian.” Addie fell back onto the wide, four-poster bed covered with a bright pink floral quilt, her phone snug against her ear. “Call. Me.” She tapped the end button. If only she could end their relationship just as quickly. It was a ridiculous situation at this point.

She watched the bright, morning light stream in through two, floor-to-ceiling windows partially covered by large, white shutters. The smell of cinnamon rolls added to the perfectSouthern Livingatmosphere. The jail down in Florida could take some pointers on how to decorate from Tanya Dempsey.

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