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Jalen bit the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing. “He’s a pop singer.”
“I don’t listen to that either,” she said, pressing her red lips together.
Wow. Either this woman lived under a rock somewhere, or she was playing him. He shoved his hands in his pockets and assessed her. She didn’t look like she was joking. She looked like a middle school librarian with those large glasses. Maybe she didn’t watch television. He supposed there were people out there like that. “I’m surprised you’ve never heard of him.”
She dropped her gaze. “I prefer classical or jazz.”
“Miles Davis?”
A smile popped onto her face, showing her perfect, white teeth. “Yes. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington. The old greats.”
He had to admit, it thrilled him to talk to someone young who knew something about classic jazz music. Not that he was that much older than her. Maybe five years. But his conversations with women her age usually ended around the time they would ask, “Do you know Shawn Mendes?”
Jalen leaned against the dresser. “What got you interested in jazz?”
“My father. He would play his old vinyl records on Saturdays when he was tinkering out in the garage. It’s where I learned to love music. And fix cars…” Her words trailed off as if she had begun to ramble and just realized it. Her cheeks turned pink.
He raised one eyebrow. “You fix cars?”
She squirmed and smiled. “Well, I know some basics. How to change the fuel pump. Stuff like that.” She pushed her glasses up with one finger. “But that’s not why I’m here. Tell me about Shadow Stalker. What kind of meals does he like?”
Jalen laughed. “Shadow Walker. Shadow for short. And he doesn’t like hotel food, so you’ll probably be asked to run to several places nearby. Not fast food. Something local would be good. He likes seafood.” Jalen’s mouth watered thinking of the food he’d eaten last year when he was here. He handed her the company credit card.
“Got it. When will I meet him?”
The way she asked made Jalen freeze. Something was off, but he wasn’t sure what it was. Was she too eager? Maybe her eyes were a bit too wide. Was she conning him? He slowly shook his head. “You won’t be meeting him.”
She brightened. “That’s fine. Do I bring his meals here, then?”
The strange feeling left, and Jalen mentally scolded himself for being too on edge. He’d just had some crazy fans go way out of their way to get close to Shadow Walker. He must be paranoid. Riley was about as innocent as you could get. She didn’t even know who he was.
Jalen shook his head. “No. You’ll drop everything he needs off next door at room 177. I’ll give you the key card so you can stock his fridge and drop off his laundry.” He gave her the plastic card and pulled out his phone. “I’ll text you when he needs something. What’s your phone number?”
Riley rattled off her number, and he added it in, the feeling of unease creeping back into his chest. Why was he apprehensive of this young woman? She was clearly harmless. Right?
Chapter 2
Riley exhaled as she walked down the hallway, her legs shaking. How in the world had she come across such great luck? Jalen mistook her for Shadow Walker’s assistant. It was a sign, for sure. This was meant to be. She wasin. Bless her father and his love of jazz. It made her story much more believable. Now she could pump Jalen for information while pretending to know nothing about Shadow Walker. It was perfect.
Jalen had even booked her a room in their wing, next door to Shadow. Not down the hallway. Next door. How could this get any better? Everything was falling into place. She could even check out of her expensive room and save some money. She walked to her room to pack her suitcase, still unable to believe the luck that had smiled upon her.
After she was all moved into her new room, she sat down on the fancy couch and took a look around. This room was a massive upgrade from her cheap room. Spacious, with a sliding glass door that led directly to the beach. All the furnishings looked plated in gold. It was like one of those large, fancy rooms you only see on TV. There was even a fruit basket on the desk.
She slid open the deck door and sat on her patio chair. The warm breeze hit her skin, and she relaxed a bit. Thanksgiving would be here before she knew it. And then Christmas. If she could get the promotion before the holidays, it was possible she could have her Christmas miracle.
She pulled out her phone and called her father. His weak voice came through the line. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you? How was your flight?”
“It was fine, Dad. How are you? Are you minding Mrs. Lewis?”
“Why would you ask that?”
Riley rolled her eyes. “Because sometimes you’re ornery. You need to let her check on you.”
He grunted, and she could imagine the fake scowl on his face. He pretended he didn’t like Dorothy, but she knew he had a secret crush on her. “She’s pushy. I’m fine. No one needs to check on me.”
“Dad. Stop it. I don’t want to hear that you gave her a hard time when I come home.”
“I don’t need a nurse.”
