Page 58 of By The Book
Claire leaned over him and hugged him, her cheek pressed against his hot back. “You don’t mean that. It wouldn’t hurt so much if you hated them. You love them both.”
Just like I do.
Chapter 23
The next day, Claire stared dazedly at the hamburgers frying on the grill inside the craft service van and tried not to let her thoughts drift to Denz.
When she’d woken up this morning and looked out the kitchen window, his rental was gone and the bag carrying Tommy’s game system was on the kitchen table.
Her father had already made coffee, and he’d given her a hard stare as he’d told her Denz had brought it over before saying goodbye.
She’d nodded and got her coffee, trying hard to pretend the news hadn’t gutted her. She wasn’t sure what she expected after the scene in the car when he’d driven them back from the marina, but she’d be lying if she pretended a part of her hadn’t hoped to wake up this morning with Denz on the doorstep because he’d decided to stay.
“You!”
Claire startled so badly at the loud voice she dropped the spatula she held. It clattered as it bounced off the grill onto the floor.
The woman who’d come to the van before to get Claire to be a stand-in hurried through the narrow space to grab Claire by the elbow.
“We need you again. Right now.”
“I’m working.”
The woman lowered her chin to her chest and shot Claire a look over the top of her black-rimmed glasses.
“We need you.”
“Claire, go. It’s fine,” her father said. “Tommy and I can handle things.”
Tommy was in as bad shape as she was today, unable to focus and having to redo things. “Dad, are you sure?”
“Go,” Tom said. “Just make sure she gets paid,” he said to the woman.
“Oh, she’ll be fine,” the woman said. “Now come on. We have to hurry.”
The woman prodded Claire out of the van and down the blocked street into a building.
“Here. Put this on,” the woman said.
Claire looked at the black turtleneck, black leggings, and black booties and frowned. “Who am I supposed to be this time?”
“Jewel thief. Hurry up.”
Claire rushed to change, pulling on the hot clothes, all the while hoping the set was air conditioned.
Once dressed, she was shoved into a chair and her makeup quickly done. She’d French braided her today due to the heat and dealing with food, and other than a quick touch-up of a curling iron to the tendrils around her face, her braids were left alone.
Deemed ready, she followed the woman, who led her to a set decorated to look like an interrogation room.
“Sit and hold out your hands.”
Amelia stepped forward from out of the shadows and smiled at Claire.
“Hey, you.”
“Hi.”
Amelia clicked handcuffs together and smiled. “Don’t worry, I have the key.”
