“Oh my God. He’s a cop. Ms. Stella, what did you do?” Michelle asked with concern in her voice.
“And was that a gun?” Avery asked.
“That’s kind of hot, not to mention, he’s sexy,” Michelle added.
“Why is there a cop here, Ms. Stella?” Peter asked.
“Are you in some kind of trouble?” Conrad asked. “You know, we can distract him while you make a run for it.”
Ashton turned in their direction and told the person on the other end he’d call them back. His eyes were narrowed with suspicion like he was about to throw the cuffs on one of them after reading their thoughts.
14
Ashton
“So, who do we have here?” I asked as I approached.
“Michelle, Avery, Peter, and Conrad,” she introduced. “You guys, this is Special Agent Ashton Bennett. He’s a childhood friend, in town for the art exhibit.”
“What’s up, man?” Peter said.Who the hell is this douche? He looks like he’s got his head stuck up his ass. Ms. Stella would never go for a guy like him. Then again, she was engaged to the creep who called my painting trash.
“Hi,” Michelle said with a little wave and a bat of her fake eyelashes.Oh, he’s yummy. Ms. Stella is a naughty girl. Where has she been hiding this sexy thing? I could climb him and plant my flag.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Avery said.Damn, I knew I shouldn’t have come here. This guy looks like if I breathe wrong, he’ll arrest me. I’m going to be in such big trouble.She fidgeted, lacing her fingers as her gaze darted toward the exit like she was about to make a run for it.
“If you’re a childhood friend, why haven’t you come to visit her before?”Conrad asked as he looked over at the food.I’m starving. I wonder if she’ll give me some of her fries if I ask nicely.
It was probably a good thing that they didn’t know I could read minds. Their thoughts were all over the place. One was undressing me with her eyes, thinking about how big my package was. The other was debating what excuse to use so she could get out of there. One of the guys was sizing me up like he wanted a fight. And the other looked like he’d take me out if it meant he could eat my food.
“I’m sorry, guys, but we’re going to have to reschedule the art class. I’ve had some personal issues come up.”
Most of them frowned, except for Avery. Her eyes sparkled at the thought of getting out there.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to monopolize Stella’s time,” Ashton said, pulling out his wallet and handing each of them a twenty-dollar bill. “Why don’t you guys go out to eat on me.”
Sweet. Maybe this guy isn’t such a douche. I bet Conrad and Avery can get us a discount at the pizza place and we can keep the rest,Peter thought.
“And I’ll call when things slow down and we have more time to continue with the paintings. I’m sorry, guys. I totally forgot Ashton was coming for a visit.”
“It’s okay, Ms. Stella,” Conrad said with a frown. “You can’t plan for everything.”
He and the others took the money and used the exit door, but Peter jogged back in, pulled a flower from his backpack, and handed it to her. “I almost forgot. I picked this for you. Maybe the next project can be flowers; fruit makes me hungry.”
His cheeks tinted.
A crush. Peter’s affection, however misguided, was understood. Stella was a beautiful woman, and I’m sure she inspired him with more than just her ability to paint.
We watched as he walked out, and she turned an accusing glare on me. “You read their thoughts.”
“Of course, I did. I needed to make sure none had killer tendencies.”
She sat back down and took another bite of her burger. “And did they?”
“Not that I could tell, but one of the girls was worried about something. She was nervous I’m a cop.”
“Avery,” Stella said, knowing just which of the four I was talking about.
“Is she in some kind of trouble?”
