Elisa recited the end of the clue. “‘Search the books if you want to find the truth to end a fray.’” She grinned, triumph crowding out any remaining disappointment over the missed moment. Well, almost. “We went to the wrong kind of books.”
“We need legal books.” Noah nodded. “The courthouse.” Then he checked his watch with a frown. “They’re already closed.”
Drat. “And tomorrow’s Saturday.” Elisa groaned. “I hate to lose momentum when we’re this close.”
“I agree.” Noah shot her a hooded look, and heat flushed Elisa’s throat.
She coughed and he blessedly looked away as he dug in his pocket for his phone.
He wiggled his cell. “I have an idea.”
Elisa bent down and picked up the penny she’d dropped as he made a call and put his phone on speaker. Soft ringtones mixed with the gurgling sounds of the fountain, and Elisa pretended to examine the raised head on the coin as she hid behind her short curtain of hair. That had been close—again. Too close.
Was she destined to be burned?
“Hey, man. Sup?” Cade’s voice suddenly echoed from the speaker.
“I need a favor.”
Cade laughed over the sound of the road noise coming from his end of the connection. “Doesn’t everyone these days.”
Noah shot Elisa a look. “Elisa’s here with me.”
Cade’s laugh broke off mid-chuckle. “Wow. I mean, hey, Elisa.”
“Hi.” Flustered, Elisa waved toward the phone, then awkwardly lowered her hand at Noah’s smirk. She stuck her tongue out at him.
He turned back to the phone. “Listen, we need to get into the courthouse.”
A blinker clicked. “It’s after hours.”
“I know.” Noah rolled in his lip.
“So?” Cade asked.
“Sowe were hoping you could help us out.” Noah switched his grip on his cell, wiping his other hand down the leg of his jeans.
Elisa squinted at him. Was he nervous Cade wouldn’t help? Or was he reacting to their second near-kiss?
Her own palms could use a good swipe, but she wasn’t about to let him see that.
The road noise grew louder. Cade must be on the interstate. “You guys can’t wait until Monday?”
Elisa shook her head as Noah confirmed the sentiment. “It’s sort of an emergency. You know that treasure hunt I told you about? We’ve got to get the next clue—ASAP.”
Cade exhaled. “Man, I don’t know.”
“We were thinking since your dad’s the mayor and all…” Noah met Elisa’s gaze and winced, as if holding his breath. Brilliant move. It was Cade’s favorite line. But would it work?
They stared at the phone together. Silence ticked off several beats.
Then…
“Meet me there in twenty.”
Noah fist pumped the air. “See you soon, brother.” He slid his cell back into his pocket.
“Ready, Sherlock?”
