Without answering, he tugged Rosalyn toward the venue and caught the heavy red door before it closed. Rosalyn blinked against the dim lighting, waiting for her eyes to adjust. A woman stood silhouetted on stage under bright lights.
“I told you I was a barista, right? I’ve got stories, man. People are weird.” She waved her hand in the air.
The crowd murmured in agreement.
The familiar-looking figure continued. “Like the other day, a bunch of customers started getting rowdy.” The comedian paused. “It was a totalbrewhaha.”
A young hostess approached the vacant stand next to Rosalyn. “I’m sorry, we’re no longer selling tickets. This show is almost over.”
“Oh, we got what we needed, don’t worry.” Cade looked at the stage, then at Rosalyn, and grinned. For a moment, the drama of her exposed secret seemed suspended in another time.
She glanced between him and the stage, then clamped her hand over her mouth as the comedian stepped further into the spotlight. “Is that?—”
“Thank you, thank you.” The dry voice deadpanned on as the crowd applauded. “I would say I’ll be here all night, but that’s a lie. My segment ends in about five minutes.” Then she shaded her eyes with one hand and peered toward the door.
Cade offered a casual wave and a grin.
A mild expletive fell into the microphone.
He laughed. “Yep, that’s Miley.”
twelve
“All right, what’s this going to cost me?” Miley cracked a bubble with her gum as she leaned forward from the backseat of Cade’s Audi. The cloudy afternoon transitioned into dusk as they sped down the highway toward Magnolia Bay.
“I told you we’d give you a ride for free. I can’t believe you were planning to take an Uber an hour each way.” Not to mention Cade would’ve gladly paid Miley to ride back with them and be a buffer between him and Rosalyn.
He wasn’t ready for more conversation yet.
He risked a look at the passenger seat where Rosalyn sat, gazing out the window. Her ponytail was up again, hoodie back on, makeup smudges wiped clean. She’d tried to put herself back together.
Currently, he possessed no such ability for himself.
And their kiss…his chest heated.
Miley was still talking. “An Uber is expensive, but my car broke down and this gig was worth it.”Crack. Another bubble. “But I meant what’s it going to cost to keep my secret?”
Cade glanced in the rearview. “We’re good at doing that, don’t worry.” He felt Rosalyn’s eyes boring into his profile. “Professionals, really.” Maybe a cheap shot, but his mood kept flipping from frustrated to sad and back.
But mostly frustrated at himself. What had he expected? Well—admittedly—notthat. But he should’ve known better than to start to fall for Rosalyn Dupree. After twoalmosts now—the Lazy Spoon encounter and that kiss—he should take the hint.
Rosalyn Dupree was meant for the circus.
“I’m serious.” Miley’s voice took a panicked note. “I can’t let anyone in Magnolia Bay know I’m a stand-up comedian.”
“But you’re funny.” Rosalyn twisted in her seat, turning to face Miley. “You had that place cracking up. Why don’t you want anyone at home to know?”
Cade looked in the rearview at her. Good question. Everyone in town had noticed Miley’s better mood lately—this had to be the reason why.
Miley looked away.Crack. “It doesn’t exactly fit my vibe.”
“Vibes can change.” Rosalyn’s gaze drifted over to Cade. “A lot of things can change.”
What exactly about her situation did she think she could change that would matter right now? He clenched the steering wheel. “Change, huh? You mean, like people being friends one minute and kissing the next?”
Rosalyn sucked in a sharp breath.
“Weird example, but yeah, I guess.” Miley leaned forward again, bracing her arms on the middle console. “More like, I have a reputation I like and want to keep.”
