AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Flynn moved to the side, barring her exit. “You can speak freely in front of my friend.”
“No, that’s okay.” Her eyes darted around the room, stopping only to spare the waiter another glance and… Oh, shit.
Damnit to time-warp hell.
Despite blond hair, coifed and standing several inches above the waiter’s hairline, was that jaw. Not to mention that equally mesmerizing Adam’s apple.
“Lucas,” she hissed. “This has got to stop.”
He looked up with the beginnings of a grin. “Hi, honeybuns. Not until we finish this and go home.”
She crossed her arms. “You’re a numbers guy. You’ve got to know the probability of Errol figuring out who you are only increases with the number of times you are in the same room with him.”
“I’m willing to take the odds. Worth the risk.”
Reining in a warm smile, she cleared her throat. “Has Grant found the diary and the thumb drive?”
“Still waiting to hear back.”
“Then what are you doing here? If Errol recognizes you, he could have you arrested or worse. You could find yourself in a dark room, hooked up to an I.V. with God knows what running through your veins.”
Flynn clarified, “To be clear, it’s a customized in-home medical unit with soundproof walls, down to the acoustic caulk. Complete with a licensed doctor, who’s conveniently on the take.”
Birdie stared at Flynn, and then back at Lucas. “What he said.”
Lucas splayed his hands to the side. “I told you, Birdie, I’m not leaving. I’m here for you until we can go home. Together.” He bobbed his head back and forth. “But…we’re kinda on the clock, as we need to get back to Wayward by next week.”
Birdie was at first confused and then she remembered, her entire body going slack. “Mia’s fifteenth birthday,” she said, her voice turning soft.
Lucas nodded. “So, as soon as I hear from Grant, we’ll need to come up with a plan, execute said plan, and get back to Wayward.”
Suddenly, there was a commotion toward the entrance of the large living room turned ballroom.
Someone notable had arrived, but it was difficult to make out who through the throng of guests and the rows of tables set up with several seafood towers and more flutes filled to the brim with champagne.
“Try calling Grant,” Birdie said, looking over her shoulder for Errol. “He’s the chief of police, for crying out loud. He should have found the thumb drive by now.”
She kept watch for Errol as Lucas pressed Send and brought the phone to his ear, but shook his head.
Then she would just have to convince him to leave. Stalking her, even undercover and in disguise, was too risky.
Before she could say another word, she heard Errol’s voice behind her.
“Darling, there are some people who’ve asked to see you. Some business associates, I believe.”
As he spoke, she turned to face him and side-stepped protectively in front of Lucas.
Business associates? Most of the people she had done business with over the years were already here. Eager to watch the lunacy alive and in color, only to rush back to their respective watercoolers and telling everyone the juicy details.
No different than high school really.
“I’ll be right there,” she said, pasting one of her plastic smiles on her face.
“What’s the matter with him?” Errol asked, trying to get a look at whomever was behind her and standing next to Flynn.
Birdie took another step to the side to hide Lucas. “Waiter. He’s not feeling well. Says he’s nauseous. I wouldn’t get too close. I think he helped himself to the champagne and paying the price. I’ll handle it.”
“Fire him,” Errol said, glancing at his Rolex and then back up at Birdie. “If he can’t be trusted with the champagne, he can’t be trusted around the priceless artwork.”
