Page 61 of A Spot of Tea
“You’re welcome.” She let out a heavy sigh and took a seat at a nearby table. “I’ll be honest—it was rough. I don’t think I’m cut out for shop life, and no one from Hollywood is taking the bait, either.”
“You’ll figure something out,” Eliza said, patting her on the shoulder.
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “How was your day stalking Stacy?”
“We found her,” Eliza said.
“Anything suspicious to report?” Cora asked.
Mackenzie was staring at her. She didn’t want to say it. She never wanted to speak of it again if at all possible.
Mackenzie cleared her throat. “Joey picked her up. In the seaplane.”
Cora gasped. “Wait, I forgot. He came looking for you!”
Eliza’s head shot up. “He did?”
“Eliza,” Mackenzie said slowly. “I think maybe you shouldn’t talk to him anymore.”
Cora went on. “He seemed distressed. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but he asked if you were avoiding him.”
Her heart, the poor thing, leapt in her chest.
“He must know we’re catching on to him,” Mackenzie said. “Typical scammer, trying to cover his tracks.”
Cora bit her lip. “I’m not sure that’s it. I might’ve let something slip that I shouldn’t have.”
Daggers could’ve shot out of Mackenzie’s eyes and hit Cora like a bullseye. “You told him we suspected him? You’re going to put us all in danger!”
Cora rolled her eyes. “No one is in danger. It was nothing to do with the robbery.”
“What was it?” Eliza asked.
She shifted her weight. “Don’t get mad at me, Eliza, but I might have hinted that you like him.” She stopped, then rushed to add, “It’s not a big deal.”
Eliza couldn’t help it. A smile crept onto her face. “And he seemed intrigued?”
“Very. He’s interesting, though,” she said, tapping her chin. “He told me he fell in love once and acted like he’s never going to fall in love again.”
Eliza’s heart tightened in her chest. “Oh. So he doesn’t feel anything for me.”
“I didn’t say that.” Cora shook her head. “If he’s so cool and unaffected, why did he care so much about finding you?”
“He only wants to know if you’re going to turn him in,” Mackenzie said. “Eliza, you can’t fall for this.”
Her heart was in her throat. “Did he say anything else?”
“Not really. He asked me to let you know he was sorry he couldn’t catch you today.”
“Catchyou,” Mackenzie repeated. “Do you think that means something?”
Eliza didn’t know what it meant, but she knew what she hoped it meant and there went her stomach, flipping and turning.
His voice popped into his head. What was it he’d said at game night to Mackenzie?Next time, leave before you’re left.
The words knocked her heart back into her chest. She’d thought he was joking or was trying to make Mackenzie feel better.
But now, as sudden as a canceled ferry, she knew he’d meant it. Really meant it.
