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She chuckles. “You wouldn’t know. You didn’t actually go on a date with me.”
“No, but I had a lot of fun yesterday. You’re a fun person. A sweet woman.”
“You sound like my brothers right now.”
Except I’m not thinking about her in a brotherly way at all, damn it. I feel protective of her in an almost possessive manner, which is insane.
“But talking to you just gave me an idea. I’ll watch Casablanca tonight. It’ll be a good distraction,” she says.
“I have a better offer. Let’s go out. It’s Friday evening, a goddamn shame for both of us to stay cooped in.”
Sophie is right. This isn’t LA. I have to be careful, but the chances of a pap showing up are slim, especially since my move here isn’t common knowledge. Yet.
“I—okay. Where do you want to go?”
“Don’t know the city too well. You pick a location. Just someplace that doesn’t attract too much attention. Dim lighting is a plus.”
“Uh-huh, I’ll see what I can do, Jack the Ripper.”
“I’d rather not be recognized.”
“I know. Wait, I just had an idea. Did you ever take a tour of San Francisco at night?”
“I never took any tour of San Francisco, except checking out houses with my sister.”
“What? That’s such a shame. I’ll give you a tour. Just let me think up an itinerary. Hmm... it’s dark already, which rules out a couple of sights. Let’s keep to the waterfront. Can you meet me at the Ferry Building? Then we can pass by the Embarcadero, end up at Pier 39. How does that sound?”
I’d say yes to any suggestion. Anything to spend some time with her tonight. I have no idea where the need to see her is coming from, but I don’t want to stop and analyze it. I want to run with it.
“Meet you in an hour at the Ferry Building?” I suggest.
“One hour? Geez, some of us need more time to get ready. We don’t all wake up pretty, like you.”
“You’re beautiful just the way you are, Summer. But if you need more time...,” I offer.
“See you at the Ferry Building in ninety minutes?”
“Done.”
Chapter Five
Alex
Ninety minutes later, I pull my baseball cap lower in the front as I pay the cabbie, who doesn’t recognize me. Maybe I should kick the paranoia to the curb. As I step out of the car, I see Summer in front of the Ferry Building, wearing jeans and a red jacket, waving at me excitedly.
“I’m sorry about all the fog. It’s inescapable near the water in the evening,” she says.
“I’ll take it over the smog in LA every day.”
“Hmm... you don’t like LA much, do you?”
“It’s suffocating if you’re in the movie business. How about you?”
“I like it. I have cousins there. I love visiting them.” She points at my cap. “Lose that. I know it’s the universal star trick, but it’ll just attract attention. The sun has set, what’s the cap protecting you from, moonlight?”
She has a point, but wearing a cap whenever I’m in public has become a habit. I feel exposed as I take it off.
“I’ll keep it for you,” she offers, opening her purse. I drop the cap inside. “Besides, I have an idea. If someone recognizes you, just say you’re your own stunt double.”
