Page 29 of By The Book
“I hear you.”
“She lost her husband.”
“I am aware.”
“Are you…dating?”
“No,” he said. “She’s coming to confirm I’m actually a bodyguard.”
“What?” Eliza asked, laughing.
Denz related the story with a sheepish grin and a shake of his head. “I think she’s more interested in potentially rubbing shoulders with a certain celebrity we know.”
“Ah,” Eliza said, a smile in her voice. “Clairey always did follow that sort of thing. We all did in high school because we thought it was so cool that Marsali actually knew Oliver as he made his rise to stardom. Okay, well, I’ve got you both down and I can’t wait to see you. And if Claire has any questions or wants to chat beforehand, please give her my number?”
“I’ll do that. I think she could use a few friends right now.”
“Oh?”
The moment the words left his mouth, he wished he could take them back.
“What’s going on?” Eliza asked.
“I’ll pass along your number, okay? I’ve got to get going or I’ll hit the lunch traffic.”
He heard her disgruntled sigh through the phone.
“Fine. But have her call me.”
Denz tucked the phone away and finally closed the door of the rental, making the turn to head out to Ft. Fisher and the end of the island. Today’s shoot was a series of beach scenes that were scheduled to last most of the day.
He parked and made the long walk toward the barricades, flashing the credentials Oliver had been kind enough to provide. Security let him through, and Denz made his way behind the area where cameras, tents, and all sorts of equipment had been set up.
While everyone watched the goings-on, Denz searched the crowd for any sign of the woman who’d been on his mind a lot the last week. Maybe it was because of the mama bear way she’d come to take him on in protection of her son or the quiet sadness and worry he saw in her sky-blue eyes, but whatever it was, he’d become uncomfortably aware he felt as hooked as the shark Tom had helped him land that fateful day.
He finally spotted what looked to be the craft service area and headed that way. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw Tommy lugging a bucket of ice in the same direction up ahead of him.
The kid’s growing muscles bulged and reminded him of the idea he’d had today while doing his PT at one of Mac’s many investments—the gym. A tired kid had less anger, after all. And if a few hours a day and some proper training got the kid into something productive, all the better.
Denz followed Tommy toward the van and noted the open windows on either side. Inside were Tom, Claire, a young girl Denz didn’t recognize, and another man who looked to be in his forties. Tommy joined them. “Starting to look like a clown car in there,” he teased. “Think you can fit in a few more?”
“You volunteering?” Tom asked, grinning.
Denz shoved his sunglasses up on his head and felt it the moment Claire met his gaze. “I have a message for you.”
She frowned. “Me?”
“Yeah. I confirmed you as my plus-one for the wedding and got a squeal of excitement from the wedding planner. You guys also went to high school together. Eliza Hayes, maiden name Bellefonte?”
“Oh, yeah. I remember her.”
“She said to tell you she can’t wait to see you,” Denz said.
“You’re going out?” Tommy asked. “Like adate?”
Realizing his mistake far too late, Denz cringed and met the kid’s gaze. “Not exactly. Your mom agreed to accompany me to a wedding so I wouldn't have to go alone like a loser, that’s all.”
“No one likes to go to weddings alone,” Claire told her son. “And”—she lowered her voice—“I might be able to meet Oliver Beck.”
