A sliver of fear worked through Hone. If June hurt Cassie, he didn’t know what he’d do. “Where’s Cassie?”
“Two fans stopped her for autographs and pictures.”
“Fuck.” Hone jumped to his feet and was at her side before he’d decided what to say. Photos. Social media. A big, fat hell no. “Hey, C-Katie-Jo. Your dinner has arrived.”
“Just one more photo,” a young woman pleaded. She snapped a selfie with Cassie before Hone could stop her. “Thank you,” she gushed.
“Dinner.” Hone gripped Cassie’s forearm and led her to their booth.
“You didn’t have to be so rude.”
“With all the weird things happening you shouldn’t publicize your whereabouts.”
“But I’m in disguise.”
“Hone is right,” Emma said, cutting through Cassie’s argument. “You can’t be too careful. Our house was set on fire. What if it’s all connected?”
Cassie plonked onto the seat, her cheeks paling. “You think this is linked?”
Hone was certain it wasn’t but if Cassie became warier, all the better.
“We don’t know for sure.” Emma swallowed. “We’ll have to wait for the police reports.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think,” Cassie said, sounding miserable.
The waitress rocked up with their meals. Jack and Emma had ordered him a steak while Cassie had fish and chips with salad.
“Where are you guys staying tonight?” Cassie asked.
“They’re staying with us,” Hone said.
“Great,” Cassie said. “Hone said we could go to the Matakana farmers’ market tomorrow and we’re going snorkeling again.”
“No swimsuit,” Emma said.
“Actually,” Jack said with a hint of smugness. “You’re in luck. I put your swimsuit in the vehicle yesterday. We have swimsuits and towels and the clothes on our backs.”
Later that night, Cassie snuggled up to Hone. “I’m too wired to sleep.”
“Excellent,” Hone said. “What should we do?”
“Play tiddlywinks?” A smile tugged at her lips in the darkness.
“I can see those pearly whites, Cassie Miller-Pope.”
Her grin broadened as she sought his lips. She missed, but it didn’t matter. She—plump and with no drive or ambition, according to her mother—was naked and in bed with a total hottie who delighted in her curves and thought her musical talent rocked. He’d told her so. A lot to celebrate.
Her mind drifted to Emma and her jubilation faded. Poor Emma and Jack. Maybe she could offer them her house as long as they wouldn’t mind her living there too. She’d suggest it tomorrow.
“Hey, where have you gone?”
“I’m right here, silly.” She pressed a kiss to his chin because she could. His stubble tickled her lips, and that was enough to bring on the happy again, her body language broadcasting her feel-good mood.
“Your mind is busy. I can hear it ticking over.”
“I was thinking I’d offer Emma and Jack the use of my house as long as they wouldn’t mind me staying in one of the rooms. I won’t be there for long.”
“You leaving?”
