Page 50 of Blind Luck

I watched the table for a little longer. Galaxy Guy was definitely the top dog. He told the stories while the others listened, but the laughter at his anecdotes seemed forced. I’d seen that “Lord, have mercy” look on Kelsey’s face a hundred times when I was waiting tables in Florida, and I always kept an eye on those couples. If things went too far south, I’d sometimes slipped the girl a note offering to help her leave, and about half the time, she’d taken me up on it. Galaxy Guy was an arrogant son of a bitch.

Hmm, arrogant. Could I do something with that?

Our food came, burgers and fries, and I ate the burger first because the fries would taste okay cold. Kelsey’s table had ordered appetisers, so we had to eat slowly.

“I still don’t think it’s a date,” I told Rusty. “I’m not sure it’s a business meeting either. Too much laughter, not enough work.”

“The guy with the blue shirt just kissed Amber’s hair.”

“I’m focusing on Kelsey.”

Honestly, she looked the way I used to feel when I was stuck in the marriage from hell.

“If it isn’t a date, and it isn’t a business meeting, then why are they here?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

But we’d find out. After dessert, Kelsey and Amber—who did appear friendly toward each other—hurried off to the bathroom, leaving Galaxy Guy and Blue Shirt Guy at the table. I grabbed my phone.

“What are you doing?” Rusty asked.

“Back in a minute.”

“Hey, wait a?—”

More than once in my life, I’d been told I sounded like a lunatic, and this was one time that trait would come in useful. I strode over to Kelsey’s table.

“Ohmigosh! I thought it was you. It is, isn’t it? You’re Lucas Collins.”

A total lie because Lucas Collins had darker hair, a straighter nose, a stronger jaw, and looked as if he actually worked out. But I figured Galaxy Guy wouldn’t mind being mistaken for him.

He looked puzzled for a second. “No, I?—”

“Hidden Intentis my absolute favourite movie. I’ve seen it, like, a hundred times.” And still couldn’t recognise one of the stars. “You and Violet Miller were fabulous together.”

“No, you’re?—”

“And you were amazing inGreen Eyes. Between you and me, I don’t think the plot was that great, but you totally made it watchable. Can I get a picture?”

Blue Shirt was trying not to laugh, but Galaxy Guy just smirked and held out his hand for my phone.

“Sure, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart? Ugh. Later, he’d tell all his friends about the girl in the Salt Shaker who was so dumb she couldn’t recognise the star of a movie she’d watched obsessively, but I didn’t care. Solving the case was more important than my pride, and I’d have the last laugh anyway.

I cringed inwardly as he wrapped an arm around my waist and took at least ten selfies. Handsy, he was definitelyhandsy, even in a public place. But now I had fodder for Alexa’s cyber machine.

“Wow, thanks so much. My friends aren’t going to believe this.”

“You’re welcome, darlin’.”

I scrolled through the pictures as I walked back to our table, where Rusty was taking care of the check. Galaxy Guy might have been a sleaze, but he was a reasonable photographer, and I was certain Alexa would be able to run these pictures through her facial recognition software.

“Are you crazy?” Rusty asked when I plopped into my seat.

“Maybe, but it worked, didn’t it?”

Kelsey returned, and I kept my head down as her party ambled in the direction of the door.

---