“Hashing out a plan for tomorrow.” Just the thought makes me sweat even more than the muggy nighttime air.
Del sighs. “Boring. You’re spoiling my fun. You know that, right?”
I choose to ignore her poke. “We almost blew it with his roommate. If Payton acts as nervous as he did tonight, I’m not sure we’ll pull off this cover.”
“Then do something to defuse the tension, luv.”
“Like what?”
She hums over the connection. “You could kiss him.”
Even though she can’t see me, I roll my eyes. “That’s completely unprofessional and would only complicate things.”
“Interesting that you didn’t flat-out refuse.” Her voice trails off with implication.
“Don’t start reading into things, Del. And I don’t want to fluster him any more than he already is.” Anticipating the end of this conversation, I turn around to head back to the apartment. So much for gaining some perspective.
“I meant in a strictly professional capacity, of course. You’re posing as a married couple. Couple’s kiss, in case you didn’t know.”
“I know that.” I bark out.
A soft chuckle accompanies her words. “Just checking, luv. I know you didn’t grow up around that kind of thing. Maybe you should do it now and get the awkwardness out of the way.”
She’s right, as always. I never knew my father, and cancer took my mother away before I even started school. “We’ll navigate that when,and if, it becomes necessary. I don’t want to rattle him more than he already is.”
“Hmmm. You sure he’s the only one rattled in this scenario?”
“Okay, we’re done for tonight. I will check in tomorrow around the same time.”
“Deflecting now. This is getting very interesting.”
“Good night, Del.” I end the connection before she can worm another unwelcome thought to take residence in mybrain. The last thing I need in my head are images of kissing Payton. Although, Del made a valid point. There may come a time when we’re in a situation that warrants a show of affection.
The problem is that I’m unsure whether discussing this with Payton would do more harm than good. Sometimes, you have to keep a principal in the dark about certain aspects, but that usually has more to do with potential danger and kissing doesn’t fall into that category.
Cool air makes the dampness on my face tingle when I walk back in. Payton’s still poised in the same spot as when I left, a mix of concern and confusion on his face. I close and lock the door quietly so Luke won’t hear and wonder.
When Payton opens his mouth to speak, I put my finger over my lips and then point toward the bedroom. Once inside, I kick off my shoes in the closet and tug out a set of pajamas off a shelf to change into after I shower.
He shoves his hands into his jeans pockets, causing his shoulders to hunch near his ears. “Do you have to be with me at the arena the entire time?”
“No. Most of the time, I’ll do surveillance from outside. Del’s already scouted the facilities for weak points. Do you carpool with Luke?”
“Not really. He often has plans with his fiancée.”
“Good. We’ll use the single car as an excuse for me to drive you back and forth each day.”
He nods. “Should I make a proper introduction to the blokes so they can meet you?”
“That’s up to you.” I walk toward the bathroom. “We can be flexible with things like that. You could say I’m shy and not ready to meet your friends yet.”
He quirks a lopsided grin, bringing back those creases bracketing his mouth. They’re like giant dimples. “Not sure they’d believe that once they actually get to know you.”
“Why, Mr. Maxwell, are you implyingI’m not genteel enough?” I slide in a mock British accent I know sounds horrible, because Del as much as told me so when I tried it on her one day as a joke.
A guttural laugh rumbles from his chest, which oddly spikes my pulse. “Now you sound like my mother.”
I grin. “Yes, but I made you laugh. The easier we keep our rapport, the more believable this will be.”
