Page 35 of Fool Me

Curiosity and exhaustion finally convinced Grant to abandon his car. After he explained to this mystery person that they were at the wrong address, he would have a stiff cup of coffee or, if he could manage it, a nap followed by a stiff cup of coffee before starting his errands. His acting career wasn’t going to wait while he sorted out how to piece together a new life plan without Sadie Heppner as its centerpiece.

Rounding one of the enormous bougainvillea bushes flanking the narrow sidewalk that led to his front door, Grant was startled to see that the person who’d exited the limo was a woman.

“Hey, Farm Boy,” Julia said from behind large, dark sunglasses. She pulled a pink scarf from her head and tucked it into the pocket of her long, tan raincoat, cinched tight at the waist.

Her unexpected appearance at his home left him momentarily unable to move or speak. His shoes might as well have been nailed to the sidewalk, and his tongue too.

“Are you going to let me in? I didn’t wear this get-up because it flatters me.” She smiled as she removed her sunglasses and winked at him. “I’m trying not to be seen.”

He dashed forward, digging in his pocket for his keys. “Sorry, sorry. I’m just surprised to see you here. I didn’t realize you know where I live.”

“I know a lot of things that might surprise you,” she said. She placed her hand lightly on his back as he put the key in the lock and turned.

The cloudy day let in little light, so he went to open the curtains, but she flashed him a warning look. He flipped the overhead light on instead. “Sorry. You’re trying not to be seen.”

She slipped out of her coat with the grace and confidence of a big cat and hooked it over his coatrack by the door. Underneath, a lavender, sleeveless wrap-around dress showcased her slim waist.

“Can I get you something?” he asked. “I have orange juice, water, coffee, herbal tea?”

“I’m fine. I’m just here to congratulate my hero and see how my leading man is doing after his final date with mini-me. It was quite a finale.” She sat down in the middle of his sofa and patted the seat next to her.

Grant began to lower himself into a nearby armchair, but she batted her eyelids at him and patted the couch with greater insistence. Not wanting to annoy his future co-star, he moved over and sat down to her right, leaving some space between them. She scooched herself over till their hips touched. Grant was instantly uncomfortable. Why hadn’t Julia phoned like she usually did? He folded his hands in his lap and pulled in his shoulders, trying to manufacture a modicum of air between them. “It was kind of a crazy day yesterday, especially that woman who was drowning.”

“Photos of your selfless deed are everywhere this morning. If I didn't know you as well as I do, I’d suspect you planned it that way. What could be better for the lead-in to our summer beach movie than a handsome hunk dashing into danger to save a drowning damsel?” She paused as she reached up and played with one of her curls. “But did anything else unusual happen at the beach?”

The hair at the back of Grant’s neck began to prickle, though he couldn’t say why. Nothing had happened at the beach that Julia, or Ronny for that matter, shouldn’t know about, but what had sparked such a question? “Why do you ask?”

“Let’s just say I suspected things might be a little more off than usual on this date. That’s why I intercepted the photographers Ronny sent. Paid them double and told them to skitter away home.” She made running motions in air with her fingers.

“You did that? We noticed there didn’t seem to be paparazzi around.”

Julia sent him a motherly smile. “I had to protect you.”

“Protect me? What do you mean?”

Julia held her hands a foot away from her face and admired her deep fuchsia nails for a moment before puffing out an impatient breath. “You still haven’t caught on?”

She sat so close he could see the creases in her foundation. “Caught on to what?”

“Oh, Farm Boy,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “What would you do without me looking out for you? I’m the one who told the producers to give you a few speaking lines when I spotted you as an extra in the bank heist movie.”

“You are? Well, thank you.”

“I’m also the one who insisted to Ronny that you get the co-lead inSurf Summer.” She reached up and stroked his cheek with long, cool fingers before adding, “I told him I needed a fresh, handsome face.”

Grant leaned away from her a little. He nodded in a perfunctory way he hoped came off as businesslike. “Well, thank you again. I figured you might have had something to do with that.”

“Mm hm. And ever since Ronny came up with the fake dating idea, I’ve been watching Sadie extra carefully.”

“Sadie? What does she have to do with me being in danger?”

Julia chuckled knowingly. “Darling, why do you think she chose to go to the temple festival without telling you?”

“I don’t know. I thought Ronny had forgotten to tell me, but later he said she liked surprises.”

“She does at that,” she said, and rolled her lips over her teeth like she was resisting spilling a secret.

Famous actress or no, Grant’s patience ebbed. “Julia, I appreciate all your help, but I’m afraid I’ve got a bunch of things I have to do today. Can you please tell me whatever it is you came here to say?”

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