by Nina Lindsey
His protectiveness toward Pam had intensified when she told him she was pregnant. Not only was Jake determined to keep his sister out of harm’s way—and that also meant out of the public eye—there was no way in hell he would let anything happen to his soon-to-be-born nephew.
But he couldn’t let his instincts take over with Callie. He needed to keep things between them firmly in old acquaintance territory.
The movie was definitely a good idea. A couple of hours sitting in a dark theater meant he wouldn’t have to look at her or talk to her. He wouldn’t find any more little things that he liked about her.
After buying their tickets, he stepped aside to let her precede him into the theater. He followed her in, nostalgia sweeping over him at the smell of buttery popcorn and the sight of the concessions stand. On closer look, however, he saw signs of age—the old patterned carpet was frayed, the lobby benches worn, and several lights around the classic movie posters were broken.
“I can’t remember the last time I was here,” he said. “Must have been when I was a senior.”
“Gus and Martha Mortimer still run it.”
“The Mortimers? Really?” Jake chuckled with remembered affection for the older man who not only owned the theater but was an encyclopedia of film knowledge. “Gus gave me my first job when I was fifteen. I ran the camera up in the projection booth.”
“They still have the summer film festival too.” Callie accompanied him into the short line of customers waiting to buy popcorn. “You should stop by and see them.”
Pleasure filled Jake at the thought—and died just as fast. He pretended to study the list of concessions when Callie settled her hand on his arm. She leaned in so close he caught a whiff of her scent—something warm and sweet, like peaches.
“Can’t you see anyone else from back then?” she whispered. “Gus and Martha won’t tell.”
Jake shook his head. Yeah, he could trust the Mortimers—but the more people who knew the truth, the more risk he was taking. He’d have to wait until this whole mess was over and done with. Then he’d come back here as Jake Ryan with nothing to hide, and he’d definitely visit the Mortimers then.
He’d come back. Maybe he’d even see Callie again.
“Who else knows you’re here?” she asked, her voice still low.
“My agent and my mother.”
“How is your mother, by the way?” Her expression turned both gentle and inquisitive. “She used to come into Sugar Joy at least a couple times a month. She was always so friendly.”
“She’s good, thanks. She works in the costume department at the studio. I keep telling her she doesn’t have to work, but she loves it. She won’t even think of retiring.”
“My mom feels the same way.” She smiled wryly.
He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her beautiful eyes—a deep, rich brown with a ring of black around her irises.
“What about your sister?” she asked. “She was younger than you, right?”
“By four years. She married a bank manager a couple of years ago, and now she and her husband are expecting their first child.”
“How wonderful.” Callie smiled, her eyes lighting up. “You’re going to be an uncle.”
“Yeah. I’m pretty excited.” He suddenly wanted to tell her the whole story of the paparazzi mess and why he’d ended up back in Bliss Cove. But then he might cave and tell her everything else about why he’d asked her out in the first place—even if the “deal with your mother” reason was becoming increasingly irrelevant.
“I’d be excited, too,” she said. “If I were going to be an aunt, I mean. Not that there’s any chance of that happening anytime soon.” She faced forward, but not before he caught a glimpse of longing in her eyes.
“Why don’t you think you’ll be an aunt anytime soon?”
“Oh, Aria is in a new relationship, and Rory is steadfastly single.” Callie explained. “She’s planning to return to her IT work soon, which means she’ll leave Bliss Cove again. Neither of them is interested in settling down. Not in the near future, at least.”
“What about you?”
Her features tensed. “What about me?”
“Are you interested in settling down?”
“I am settled down.” She slanted him a glance, her voice light. “I have an excellent tenure-track career, an IRA, mutual fund investments, and I own my own house. If that’s not settled down, I don’t know what is. Are you getting popcorn?”
He should have been grateful for her abrupt change in subject, but he wasn’t. He still wanted to know more.
“Yeah.” He dug into his pocket for his wallet. “What would you like?”
“Nothing.”
“Not even popcorn?”
“I’m not much of a snack person.”
Jake widened his eyes and dropped his mouth open in exaggerated disbelief, which had the desired effect of making her smile. “Movie popcorn isn’t a snack, Professor.”
Her lips twitched again. “What is it, then?”
“An hors d’oeuvre.” He spread his hands out to emphasize his point. “A delicacy. An ambrosia.”
Callie laughed, a rich throaty sound that he wanted to hear over and over again. “All right. How about I share some of yours?”
“Hmm. Okay, but only if you don’t hog it all.”
“I’ll be good.”
“I know.” He winked at her. A flush pinkened her cheeks, and his entire body filled with responding warmth.
Danger zone straight ahead. Huge flashing lights, police tape, and screeching sirens warning him away. He’d damned well better listen.
He bought a large popcorn, a mega bag of M&Ms, and two sodas, despite Callie’s insistence that “water would be fine,” and they headed into the auditorium. An ancient Art Deco chandelier presided over the sea of worn, red velvet seats, sconces with several broken lights decorated the pilasters, and dusty murals covered the walls.
They took the stairs to the mezzanine and sat in the front row overlooking the whole space. About twenty other people were scattered around in the other seats.
“I once spent a lot of time here.” Jake set their drinks in the cup holders. “The Mortimers used to bring in quite a crowd.”
“Not anymore.” Callie twisted her mouth as she sat beside him. “Locals still come here out of loyalty, but more and more people are going to the multiplex cinema over in Rainwood. They have sixteen theaters, two ultra-screens, reclining seats, and they serve alcohol. It’s getting harder for the Mortimers to keep up, and they can’t afford to renovate. Aria and her boyfriend Hunter have launched a big campaign to revive Mariposa Street, but it’s brand new and they’re still in the funding stages. It will take a while before they start making progress. The whole historic district has been struggling for years.”
“Well, that sucks.”
“Yes, it does. This area has been draining the town’s economy for some time. I don’t know what will happen if they can’t turn things around.” She nudged his arm and indicated the stage as the lights dimmed.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” Dressed in khakis, a sweater vest, and a polka-dot bow tie, the white-haired Gus Mortimer came onto the stage. He set a paper bag on the floor and waved. “Welcome to the Vitaphone’s showing of Sudden Impact, a fast-paced, adrenaline-driven movie that is sure to get your heart racing! Please be sure to visit our concessions stand for popcorn and candy. Believe me, folks, you’re not the only ones who are hungry!”
The audience applauded in anticipation. Gus took a can of cat food and an opener out of the bag. Holding them close to the mic, he opened the can. As the metal-crunching sound filtered over the auditorium, three cats raced down the steps toward the stage. One of them hopped onto the stair railing and balanced her way swiftly across the room.
More applause and laughter rose. The three cats bounded onto the stage, twitching their tails and licking their chops. Gus opened two more cans and set them all down. The cats converged on the food and began eating.
“Thanks again for coming tonight and supporting the theater,” Gus said into the mic. “As you may know, we’re raising funds for a full renovation of Mariposa Street. We’ve been struggling for a long time, so we appreciate all the support we can get. Thank you all, and enjoy the show!”
As he departed the stage, the red curtains parted to reveal the screen. The opening scene started, but Jake couldn’t focus on the movie. He hated the idea of the Vitaphone “struggling,” taking with it so many memories.
He’d spent many Saturdays here, sometimes with his friends but more often alone, especially when things were rough at home. He’d dig up enough money for a ticket and sit right in the front row of the mezzanine.
Callie’s fingers nudged against his as she reached into the popcorn bucket. “Who’s that guy?” She gestured with her other hand toward the screen.
“Which guy?” He ducked closer to catch her whispered response.
“The blond guy with the ponytail.”
“He’s the secret double agent, but Tex doesn’t know that.” She smelled so damned good.
“Why not?” She met his gaze, her eyes gleaming in the darkness.
“Because the lieutenant wants him to get the flash drive.” Jake’s heartbeat sped up as her closeness infused his blood with warmth. “He knows Tex wouldn’t do that if he knew the guy is a double agent.”
“Why not?”
“Because Tex doesn’t work with other agents. He’s a lone wolf.”
“What about the woman at the beginning?” She shifted. Her shoulder brushed his.
“That was his fiancée, but she’s been kidnapped.”
“By whom?”
“That’s what he’s trying to find out.”
“Well, all he has to do is look at her phone.” Callie ate a few kernels of popcorn. “She was using it right before that guy in the BMW grabbed her, and she dropped it.”
“Tex isn’t that smart.”
“This really is a bad movie.” Amusement threaded her voice.
“Told you.”
He reached for more popcorn, and their hands touched again. So much for him thinking the movie would be better than dinner and drinks with her. That he’d sit in his seat, isolated and immune to her presence.
Just sitting beside Callie was an exercise in awareness. He was attuned to every shift of her body, the crunch of her teeth into the popcorn, her scent that still filtered into his nose. His blood warmed when her knee or elbow bumped against his, and he fought the urge to take her hand or even put his arm around her.
He tore open the bag of M&Ms and held it out to her. She eyed it like he’d offered her poison.
“I don’t eat candy,” she whispered.
“This isn’t candy.” He shook the bag impatiently. “It’s nectar of the gods.”
“I’ll have one.” She plucked a single M&M out of the bag.
“No, you won’t.”
He was right again, as she snuck her hand into the bag numerous times over the next two hours. When the movie ended—kidnapped fiancée found, double-agent discovered, drug cartel villains eradiated—they made their way back to the lobby with the rest of the small crowd.
“That wasn’t the best movie to break your decade-long cinematic drought,” he said.
“What would have been better?” She pulled on her jacket and grabbed her hair to tug it away from the collar. He resisted the urge to help her. “A Fatal Glory movie?”
“Fatal Glory is better than that, but no.”
As they walked to the doors, she shook her hair out, the long thick curtain falling past her shoulders. His fingers itched to touch it. No, he wanted to drive his fingers into all those heavy strands, to wrap her hair around his fist and tilt her head back while he devoured her mouth and—
Heat rose to his chest. He didn’t want this evening to end. He was even starting to think he might be in no hurry at all to leave Bliss Cove.
Chapter 7
Jake followed Callie out to the sidewalk, drawing in a breath of the cold night air. Stars twinkled overhead, and streetlamps created pools of golden light on the worn cobblestones.
“Are you hungry?” He fell into step beside her, not wanting this evening to end yet. “We could grab something at the Mousehole.”
“I’m not hungry after all that popcorn…”
His heart sank.
“…but I’d like something to drink,” she finished.
“Great.” He smiled so wide his cheeks hurt—a disproportionately ridiculous reaction to having a drink at the local tavern. Or maybe not, considering who he was having a drink with. “No, wait, it’s almost nine-thirty. They’ll be closing soon.”
“The Mousehole is open until eleven on weekdays now.” Callie slipped her hands into her pockets and gave him an amused smile. “A new owner bought the place a few years ago and changed things up.”
“Eleven?” He lifted his eyebrows. “Bliss Cove is getting cutting edge. Does the movie rental place by the high school stay open past eight o’clock yet?”
“That closed down ages ago. Couldn’t compete with Netflix, I guess. But the Carpenters were ready to retire anyway. Lots of changes over the years.”
Jake pointed his thumb in the direction of the rugged mountain range south of town. “I’m guessing kids still party in the Fog Forest, huh?”
“I imagine so.”
Jake also guessed that Callie had never been one of the partiers. He, on the other hand, had enjoyed some raucous nights in the unincorporated redwood forest that wasn’t under the authority of the park service.
“Is the old Peabody mansion still there?” he asked.
“Oh, yes. Still boarded up and unclaimed.”
Jake was glad to know that—he had rather fond memories of trying to break into the old house with his buddies, though they’d never had any malicious intent. No one wanted to damage the Peabody mansion, which was tucked away in the foothills like a secret hideout. Bliss Cove residents had always been protective of the house, even if it had been vacant for as long as anyone could remember.
He and Callie left the historic district and walked to the Mousehole, an ivy-covered stone building nestled in a grove of redwoods. White lights twinkled around the windows, and three other structures sat behind the tavern.
Jake opened the door for Callie and stepped in behind her. Unlike the Vitaphone, the rustic tavern had undergone a renovation, with new wooden tables and chairs, checkered tablecloths, and upholstered booths. Lanterns glowed on every table, and candles flamed in the big stone fireplace. A jukebox played Elvis’s “Love Me Tender,” the mellow tones filtering over the sounds of conversation and clinking silverware.
Callie waved at the tall guy behind the bar and pointed at an empty table. “Can we take this one, Grant?”
“Go ahead. I’ll be over in a sec.” The guy shot Jake a curious look as Callie took two menus from the hosting station and led the way to the table.
After Jake pulled Callie’s chair out for her, they sat down. Out of sheer habit, he glanced warily at the other diners to see if anyone was eyeing him with either curiosity or dawning recognition. All clear.
The bartender—Grant—approached the table with two glasses of water. “How’ve you been, Callie?”
“Fine, thanks.” She indicated Jake, a sudden crease appearing between her eyebrows. “This is my…Jake. He’s an old friend.”
Her alarmed gaze collided with Jake’s in a sudden question, as she appeared to realize she’d just used his real name.
Grant nodded a greeting, his attention lingering a half-second too long on Jake’s face.
Shit. He’d know that flash of recognition anywhere.
Glancing back at Callie, Grant lifted his eyebrows. She pressed her lips together and gave him a slight shake of her head. A wordless communication passed between them.
Grant pointed to a secluded table in a corner. “Why don’t you two take that table instead? It’s more comfortable. I’ll bring your menu
s.”
Without waiting for a response, he tucked their menus under his arm, picked up their water glasses, and led the way over to the table. In addition to being shadowed, two wooden beams helped shield the table from the rest of the room.
“Thank you, Grant.” Callie gave him a grateful smile.
“No problem. We’re short one cook, so I need to get back to the kitchen. I’ll have Tina come take your order.” After making sure they were settled, Grant headed back across the room.
Jake looked at Callie in disbelief. “Did he—?”
“Grant isn’t one for prying into other people’s business.” She bit down on her lower lip. “But that’s not the case with other residents. I’m sorry, Jake. I shouldn’t have insisted on you not wearing the…costume. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“I’m not.” Despite his wariness, he realized it was the truth. If anything, he was more comfortable in Bliss Cove than he’d been in a while. “Turns out it feels good to be me. A me who likes being with you.”
“Should I have used another name to introduce you? Do you have an alias?”
“No. I also like the way my name sounds in your voice.”
Her lips curved, drawing his attention to a speck of blue M&M shell at the corner of her mouth. He reached out to brush it away, unable to prevent himself from sliding his finger over the soft fullness of her lower lip. Callie startled, her eyes widening.
Jake held up his finger to show her the blue speck and made a mental note to always have a bag of M&Ms on hand. Just in case she wanted one.
Lowering her head, she studied the menu. “Artichoke soup is still the specialty here. Grant inherited the recipe when he bought the place.”
“So he’s the new owner?”
“Grant Taylor.” She nodded, casting a glance toward the bar where Grant was speaking to a young, red-haired waitress. “He’s had the women of Bliss Cove in a tizzy ever since he moved here. He’s dated and apparently was involved with a woman up in Santa Cruz last year, but he turns down all the offers he gets from the local single ladies. My guess is he wants to avoid complications.”