Next to her, she felt him relax.
She glanced at him, wanting some form of reassurance, but knowing she couldn’t ask for it, not here. “But I can’t stay forever.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
“So, what happens now?” What happens to us? she wanted to add but didn’t. Maybe last night didn’t mean what she thought it did.
“We’ll see how things go this afternoon. He’s bringing samples for the kitchen staff. I suspect he’ll carry on with legit business deals for now, waiting for the right moment to go after what he really wants. That’s when we’ll move in.”
“Meanwhile, I’m just supposed to sit around and wait.” Her tone carried no malice, but Bruce grimaced.
Next to them, the couple continued kissing. The man pulled the woman’s legs sideways over his lap. Cassidy turned away.
“And if you’re comfortable, engage with him,” Bruce said, seemingly unfazed by the PDA going on inches from him.
Cassidy suppressed a groan, though she had expected him to say this.
“But don’t let him get you alone, okay?”
Cassidy clenched her molars so tight an ache spread into her jaw. Great, like that won’t be awkward.
“Surfing is probably safe.”
“Unless he tries to drown me,” she said, surprising herself.
Bruce cursed softly, then adjusted his cap. The gesture reminded her of Brad Sawyer.
“Anyone bother looking into Brad’s claim yet?” she asked, knowing it would likely further provoke him. Maybe that was her goal.
Bruce didn’t answer for a moment. “There’s not much to go on.”
The conductor rang the bell to announce an upcoming cross street, then the cable car tipped over the edge of another hill and accelerated. In the back of the car, the brakeman leaned hard against his lever.
“I tried to follow up with him, but he’s not answering.”
“Do you want me to try?” she asked.
“No,” he said, almost forcefully.
I wouldn’t have taken it any further than that, she wanted to protest. Why was he shutting her out? “Anything else, captain?” she said, her tone brisk.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him flinch. “We have to play this by the book.”
So…what was last night? she wanted to ask. “Fine, I get it,” she said, though this was a lie. She could feel herself shutting down, and stood to pull the cord.
Bruce grabbed her hand and urged her back down. With difficulty, she resisted the urge to shake him off.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Don’t,” she replied as her heart turned prickly and full.
He looked away. “Nothing’s changed.”
Cassidy barked out a laugh, which felt so wrong, but her mind was turning to mush.
He sighed. “He’ll likely contact you, either to surf or to meet up.”
“So, I guess that means I’ll be going.” The cable car slowed. She stood to disembark, and this time, he didn’t stop her.
As the cable car continued down the hill, dropping out of sight, the clunks and groans of the cab disappearing with it, Cassidy scrubbed her face with her hands.
Her phone chirped from her pocket.
I’m watching your TV interview on YouTube, the message said. Very impressive.
Disoriented, Cassidy scanned for the name of the sender and felt her blood pressure drop: Quinn.
I’m kind of a big shot, she texted back.
Make sure you remember the little people when you hit it big.
She grinned. I could say the same about you, you slut.
Meet me for breakfast. You’re buying.
Cassidy grinned as a powerful warmth spread through her. Deal.
Quinn arrived before her, so she met him in line. He was dressed in faded chino shorts, sneakers, and a pale blue button-down, his hair was still wet from his shower, and smelling like cloves.
“Interesting turn of events,” he said as they shuffled forward in line.
She knew he was talking about the burner phones. “I just met with him.”
Quinn arched an eyebrow. “I thought maybe I might see him this morning…”
“He didn’t stay,” Cassidy said, cutting him off.
Her abrupt tone didn’t seem to faze him. “Hey, whatever, but you know it’s cool with me…”
“It’s not like that,” she said with difficulty.
They placed their order, a bagel sandwich for her and a nut-encrusted sticky bun for Quinn, then stepped to the side to wait for their coffees.
“Did something happen?” he asked. “Your forehead’s doing that thing.”
“What thing?” she huffed.
“That thing that tells me something is bothering you.”
Cassidy tried to make her forehead relax, but it was like her brain couldn’t find the right strings to pull, so instead, she tried rubbing it.
“See?” he said.
Cassidy drew her thoughts together. “He’s got a job to do, and so do I.”
Quinn nodded sagely. “Okay.” The barista called Quinn’s name. After picking up their drinks, they moved to an outside table.
He slipped his sunglasses on. “I know it’s tough,” he said with a tightness in his face that made her squirm. “And this situation is complex.”
A young couple with a baby tucked into a stroller passed by, the father leading a large black dog on a leash.
“But he cares about you.”
Cassidy felt like throwing her coffee against a wall, just to hear it splatter. “Then why is he treating me like some pawn?”
“I’m sure it’s not intentional.”
She shrugged off her doubts. “He says I have to stay in town,” she said to change the subject.
“Good,” Quinn replied, cutting off a bite of his sticky bun. “We can spend some more time together. Once you start your job in the fall, you won’t come up for air until Christmas.”
She decided not to tease him about how often he’d been out at night since her arrival. Why shouldn’t he enjoy himself?
“Speaking of time together, you think he’ll invite you to meet at Drift later?” he asked.
“I haven’t heard from Bo, so I’m not sure what’s happening.” She watched him frown into his coffee. “Are you nervous?”
“Some,” he admitted. “But it’s also kind of a rush.”
She swiped a blob of cream cheese from the edge of her bagel.
“I guess it’s like what acting feels like.”
Cassidy nodded, though she
