Page 78 of Right Number, Wrong Man
Her head tilts, brown hair falling into her eyes. I must be completely out of my mind, cause I think I notice a hint of worry crossing her face as she points to the entrance. “Did you forget to unlock the doors?”
Dazed, I turn. My brain bounces back into action when I see the crowd gathered outside.
Shit! How could I forget the doors?
I sprint around the counter and open up, apologizing to the customers filtering into the lobby. Nobody seems mad, but I’ve never made a mistake like that before.
People keep pouring in for the evening rush. Hailey sells snacks and drinks while I ring up the tickets and the usher—some part-timer college kid—funnels folks toward the screening room.
There are chain theaters in every bigger town. What makes theRetro Reelstand out is a focus on old movies and indie titles from around the world on real film, not digital. It’s a small niche, but its fans are dedicated and often make the drive from further away. Our current specialfeature—a collection of international horror shorts—is especially popular.
When the bustle dies down and the movie starts, Hailey disappears into the ladies’ room. I lean against the ticket counter, ready to sink back into my sullen thoughts, but my pessimistic pondering is interrupted.
The door flies open and Cody saunters in, arms spread like a superhero. His long salt-and-pepper hair is tied into a low ponytail and aviator sunglasses perch on his aquiline nose. He’s a little shorter than me, but no less imposing with his broad build.
Cody stops in the middle of the lobby, pointing at himself. “Have you already forgotten about your favorite spotter? Wait, is it the suit? You don’t recognize me when I ain’t dressed in camo.”
Lips pressed into a line, I put a hand on my gun. “Yeah, I got no idea who you are. Fuck off before I call the cops or I’ll take care of you myself!”
Cody laughs and strolls over to me, clapping a heavy palm on my back. “Cool place you got here! I dig it. Feels like steppin’ into a bygone era with the old school interior and the lit-up marquee. Do you arrange it by hand for every movie?”
I raise my brows. “Sure do.”
“Neat!”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Why are you here?”
“For a tour?”
“Why are youreallyhere?”
“To visit my best bud Colton?”
“Cut the bullshit.”
He grumbles. “Not to sound like your dad, cause that makes me feel like a fuckin’ dinosaur, but I was worried about you. You seemed off in your texts lately. Then the suspicious business with the voicechanger?—”
I elbow him in the side. “Not so loud! She could hear you,” I whisper.
Cody takes off his sunglasses, brown eyes widening. “You mean she’s?—”
The bathroom door opens and Hailey steps outside. Her face lights up as she sees us standing together. She marches toward us and holds her hand out to Cody, the other clutching her phone with that sparkly pink Hey Kitty case.
“Hi, I’m Hailey!”
Cody shoots me a look that can only be described as smug as fuck. I scowl. He better not blow my cover.
He shakes her hand, grinning. “The name’s Cody. Also known as the best spotter in the US militaryand—more importantly—Colt’s best friend.”
Hailey giggles like chiming bells and my heart flip-flops. “Are you sure Colt isn’t paying you to say this? Here I thought he was such an insufferable asshole that he didn’t have any friends.”
Cody roars with laughter and winks at me. “I like her already! You need somebody with a backbone to keep you on your toes when I ain’t around.”
Warmth suffuses my chest. I should’ve known these two troublemakers would get along famously.
“Are you from Texas, too?” Hailey asks. “Because of the accent, I mean.”
“Tennessee—and thank God for that! We both know nobody likes a stuck-up Texan,” he says and she snickers.
