Page 47 of Delicate Escape

Sutton’s eyes began to glisten. “He brings you dinner every night?”

“Please, do not start crying. You know I can’t handle tears.”

She sniffed, waving a hand in front of her face. “Okay, okay. I’m just happy for you. You deserve this.”

“Nothing’s happened, Sutton.” I did not need her runawayromantic heart on this train. She’d have us married in her mind before the day was over.

Her smile only widened. “Maybe not yet, but it will.”

I just shook my head, quickly washing my hands before grabbing the mug of coffee. “I need to get this to a table.”

“It’s the truth!” Sutton yelled after me.

I only hurried away faster, dropping the coffee with the tourists and scanning the rest of the restaurant. Mara had left, so I moved to her table to clear it. I grabbed her plate, balancing a now-empty cup on top of it, and then moved to grab the magazine she’d left behind.

The moment my gaze connected with the glossy cover, I froze. Ice slid over me, making my skin turn clammy. My heart thumped as if someone were squeezing it in a brutal grip.

A face stared up at me, one with a perfectly straight smile and shining blue eyes. I’d seen them shine at me like that. But it was nothing but a lie.

I jerked my gaze away from the photo to the headline. The words had all the blood draining from my head.

America’s Favorite Superhero Heads to Oregon to Film a Western.

18

SHEP

My phone dinged justas Anson and I climbed out of my truck. Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I took in the screen.Group name changed to This Could’ve Been an Email.

Cope

Shep, you get your house exorcised yet?

I chuckled as I typed out a reply.

Me

No, but no ghostly sightings either.

Fallon

How would you know? You haven’t been there after dark.

Me

You an expert in all things haunted now?

Rhodes

She has watched Supernatural at least three times.

Fallon

More like five. You’re all going to want me on your side when you have an angry apparition.

I shook my head as I switched the device to silent and shoved it back into my pocket. A couple of tourists held the door to The Mix Up open as Anson and I headed inside. We were met by some incrediblescents that had my mouth watering the moment we stepped inside. But not even my stomach could distract me from my single-minded focus.

My gaze swept the space, landing on mahogany hair. Thea wore it down today, the thick strands curling around her shoulders. I was already moving toward her as if she had some sort of invisible pull. But as I approached, I realized she was frozen in place, staring down at something on the table.

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