Page 55 of Landry

“Rough day?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Busy, but not terrible. I’m taking Ava to stay with Gisele and Rafael tonight, then I’m going to the fair.”

“Sounds fun. We can ride some rides and eat cotton candy.”

“Actually… She cleared her throat. “I committed to a date yesterday before...” Before I made love to you. “Anyway, I’d have cancelled, but I don’t have his phone number. I’m supposed to meet him at 6:30 at the fair.”

“Okay.” Landry nodded slowly. “Is he someone you know from Bayou Mambaloa?”

“No.”

“Is he an old friend or someone you know from another town?”

Heat filled Camille’s cheeks. “No. He came into the shop yesterday and asked me out. In a weak moment, I said yes.”

“Why isn’t he picking you up here at your house?”

“I didn’t want to give him my address. I also wanted to go on my own terms, so if I didn’t feel comfortable, I’d leave in my car. Then I wouldn’t be reliant on him bringing me home.” She grimaced. “I haven’t been on a date for a very long time. I wasn’t sure if I was ready.”

“Are you now?”

She shook her head. “No. I want to cancel, but I don’t have his number.”

“Does he have yours?” Landry asked.

“Not my personal number,” she said. “But anyone can contact me by calling Sweet Temptations. That number forwards to my personal phone.”

“I’m sorry if my questions sound like an interrogation. I’m responsible for your protection. If I had his name, I could run a background check on him.”

“His name is Mark Sands.”

“And he’s from?”

Her brow puckered. “Sorry, I didn’t get that.”

“You know I have to go with you to meet this man, don’t you?”

Camille bristled. She valued her independence. But she wanted to be with Landry, not Mark. “Of course.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re okay with me coming on the date with you?”

Her eyes narrowed to match his. “I would think you’d go in stealth mode. Isn’t that what you call it? Like an undercover cop.”

His lips twitched. “I can do that. But I won’t be far from you. I don’t like that you know nothing about him. What if he was the guy who followed you and nearly ran you off the road?”

Camille hadn’t thought about that. “Why would he ask me out if he wanted to run me off the road?”

“To shake you up. Maybe make you feel better about going out with someone who appears to be friendly and protective. What does this guy look like?”

“He’s tall, almost as tall as you, but a little bulkier, like a bouncer.”

Landry cocked an eyebrow. “The guy who almost ran into me at your store?”

Yeah, the guy I agreed to go out with because you were a scary option.

Camille refused to meet his gaze. “Yes.” She hoped he couldn’t read her thoughts or her expressions. Could she be more embarrassed?

“Are you going on the date with him? Or are you certain you want to cancel?”

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