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I think for a second, knowing it’s probably for the best. “That works. What about if we go out to my little piece of land, ride ATVs or hike? We could get you a bit of ‘behind-the-scenes with Keith Perkins, Country Star’ out there for the next article. And then, there’s a little cabin. It’s rough, but we could stay overnight.”
Elise smiles like she just won the lottery. “That sounds like the best plan I’ve heard in ages. Except . . . by rough, you do have plumbing, right? And heat?”
I laugh, letting go of her hands. “So high-maintenance. Yes, there’s plumbing and electric. Heat is handled by a wood stove, but it’s a small cabin so it’s enough. Besides, if you get cold, I can probably come up with some ways to warm you up.”
Chapter 15
Elise
And so, in an ironic twist, the story that brought us into contact with Keith Perkins was easily explained.
I pause, pondering before highlighting the whole paragraph and deleting it. “Nope, just won’t do.”
“What won’t do?” Maggie asks, making me jerk my head up. “Let me guess, Keith’s got a girlfriend?”
Ouch, close to the bone. “No, it’s not that,” I reply, lying my ass off while trying to distract my friend. “I just . . . I have a lot of information, and it’s been harder trying to figure out what’s supposed to go in this one and what goes in the next one.”
Maggie nods, taking a seat on the edge of my desk, a familiar spot for her. “So what’s his big secret then?”
I smirk, knowing I’m lying, but it’s the lie that Keith said was okay when I texted him. “He was out running errands, and if you can believe it, his maid was having a bit of a situation and he was just doing her a favor.”
“Uh, by buying half the aisle?” Maggie asks, lifting an eyebrow. “Nice boss. I think if I had that problem, Donnie’s response would be to ball up a copy of The Times and chuck it at me.” She doesn’t sound remotely convinced.
I shrug, wanting to change the subject as quickly as possible because the more I think about it, the more ridiculous it sounds. “Keith’s just boring, really. His only unusual hobby is archery. Next time, I’m going to get some shots of him practicing. But other than that, he’s just a normal guy. So . . . what’s with your face?”
“My face?” Maggie asks, rubbing at her cheeks. “What’s with my face?”
I look closer, squinting as I confirm my suspicions. “You’re . . . glittering. What the hell have you been up to?”
“Oh, well . . .” Maggie says, blushing. “That undercover at the senator’s office didn’t pan out, so Donnie has me following another angle. There’s this club out by the airport, Petals of Heaven—”
“Oh my god, Donnie has you, of all people, at a strip club?” I ask, gleefully shocked. “I mean, not that you don’t look the part but . . . well . . .”
“Don’t worry, I’m not stripping,” Maggie reassures me. “I’m a cocktail waitress, so the glitter’s more for showing up under the blacklights.”
“What does Donnie have you out there doing then?” I ask, worried. I’ve heard of Petals. It’s one of those places where you don’t ask questions most of the time. You don’t want to piss off the owners.
“They get a lot of celebrity patrons, apparently,” Maggie says, waving her hand. “One of Hollywood’s big family men, in particular, has been in three nights in a row now, having himself a particularly good time in the private rooms in the back. I don’t have pics yet, but I think I’ll be able to. Someone’s going to have some explaining to do!”
“Wait, what is this?” I ask, surprised. “You’re liking this assignment, aren’t you? Our innocent little librarian has a naughty streak to her? What happened to the Maggie who was scandalized when someone told her that her ass looked good in a dress?”
Maggie blushes and shrugs. “She’s still there. I guess I get caught up in the fun of the bust, that’s all. Speaking of busts, tell me how the interviews with Keith are going. I need boring and nice right now, honestly.”
I lean back in my office chair, humming. “He is nice, actually. Still sometimes a bit of a commanding asshole, but . . . well, it’s the good kind of commanding asshole. I’m feeling good about the interviews.”
“Feeling good, huh?” Maggie asks, lifting an eyebrow. “Sounds like you’re feeling good about him. You starting to like him?”
“No!” I protest, maybe a bit too strongly. There’s no way I’m going to let anyone, even sweet little Maggie, think that I’m getting this story Francesca-style. I can’t even let them think that I’m interested in Keith. “I just . . . it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised, that’s all. He’s hot but boring.”
