Page 24 of My Hotshot

I blinked. “There’s a wine and cheese shop in town?”

“Yeah,” Smoke said. “Stop by sometime. She loves talking cheese and wine. It’s her thing.”

I filed that away. “Why are you here?”

Smoke pointed at Duane. “Here to make sure this wasn’t some trap to kill Dice.”

“Trap?” I gawked. “Why the hell would I want to trap you?”

“Uh, no reason, babe,” Duane cut in, shooting Smoke a look. “We just like to be careful.”

Smoke raised a brow but let it go.

“Let’s see if we can find your phone,” Duane said. He pulled out his own phone and tapped the screen. “I’ll call it.”

A moment later, my ringtone echoed faintly from somewhere inside the house.

Smoke lifted a finger. “Kitchen.”

They both moved quickly, like a couple of search dogs. I stood there useless, hugging my arms across my chest and watching them hunt for my dignity.

The ringing stopped.

Duane pressed a few more buttons, and the ringing started again.

Both of them froze in front of the fridge.

“Oh no,” I groaned.

Duane opened the fridge and reached inside. The sound grew louder. Then he pulled out my phone like a magician revealing a rabbit.

“Got it,” he chuckled, holding it up.

“Oh god,” I muttered and covered my face with both hands. “I must’ve put it in there when I got the wine.”

Smoke closed the fridge with his lips twitching.

“Well,” he said, “since we solved that mystery, I’m gonna head to the store and then back to the clubhouse if you two are all good here. I don’t think Lainey is going to kill you.”

I blinked. “Kill you?” I repeated. “What iswithyou guys?”

Duane gave Smoke a nod. “Thanks for coming. Tell Yarder I’m all good.”

Smoke nodded. “Will do.” He turned to me. “See you around, Lainey.”

I almost told him no—you won’t see me around.But instead, I just nodded awkwardly. “Uh, have a good night.”

Smoke tipped his head once, then walked to the front door and opened it. Then the door clicked shut behind him.

And just like that, it was just Duane and me.

Alone.

Duane leaned against the kitchen island, arms crossed, and his gaze heavy on mine. “So…”

I nodded, lips pursed. “Yup, so…”

“I have to admit, I was pretty confused when your message came through. No ‘hi’ or ‘hello,’ just your address.”

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