Page 33 of 7 Dirty Lies

“Here?You’restaying...here?”

“I’m one of the executive producers of the film and Charley has agreed to leave her job as an executive of another Hollywood marketing firm to come run the public relations arm of ourcompany.”

Before they even said, “I do” Ted had made Charley a full business partner in his production company.He was that sure ofeverything.

“Well that’s pretty incredible.Congratulations toyouboth.”

Unfortunately while this impromptu conversation was taking place, Tabitha was leading the men to my room with my bags.And even more unfortunately, she saw me hidingbehindTed.

“Your room will be ready in just a minute, Lily.I’m so sorry about the delay.”Her cheeks turned bright red as she glanced back at Colt.“Again, I am so, so sorry we intruded in your space like that.It wasunforgiveable.”

“Go on, Tabs.Lily will be right in.”Ted shooed her off, but not before Colt cranedaroundTed.

“Annie?”

There probably wasn’t much point in hiding behind Ted any longer, but it didn’t stop me from trying.“Nope.NoAnniehere.”

I tried to make a run for the room but Ted grabbed my arm.“Oh no you don’t.Time to face the music, Princess.”He pulled me against him.“Meet your movie star, Miss Lily Lawrence, better known to you asAnnie.”

Colt’s gorgeous eyes went wide as they washed over me.I blushed crimson from head to toe.“I’m...confused.”

That made twoofus.

“Hi,” I said weakly.“Surprise.I’m not aredhead.”

That...was not the answer he was looking for.And while it was true the red was gone and my natural color was back in bleached form, it was a sad little shadow compared the mountain of information Iowedhim.

“Why don’t Charley and I take Tabs over to our bungalow to help us unpackfirst?Yes?”

“Yes!”Charley agreed so enthusiastically she had to have known exactly what I was walking intotoday.

Traitor.So much forsisters.

They were gone so fast, leaving me standing alone in front of a very different Colt.This man was dressed in a three-piece suit, for one.And for two?He didn’t seem to be capable ofsmiling.

My Coltsmiled.

Of course,my Coltalso thought my name wasAnnie.

“So, it’s been a while,” I saidweakly.

“Six months, three weeks, andtwodays.”

I...did not expect that.“I’ve missed you.”Now that was the god’s honesttruth.

“I missed you too.Or at least I thoughtIdid.”

I winced at the hurt in his voice.“I didn’t lie tohurtyou.”

“No, you just lied because youcould.”

“That’s not fair!”I took a step towards him.“It’s not like you were full of information.You blacked out yourlastname.”

He scowled at me, giving me a pretty good idea of what he must have looked like when his sister shoved him on a plane.“Are you really ablonde?”

What kind of inane question was that?“Yes, I’m ablonde.”

“Well at least we can start somewhere.”He seemed to realize how crappy he was being and took a breath.“Sorry.That was acheapshot.”

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