“What aboutEndZone?” Blayne asked. “If someone hacked your cell, how would you explain that?”
“It doesn’t sayEndZone. I put some skills I learned through an online course to change the app logo,” Ethan said. “Trust me. I’m carefulandparanoid.”
Blayne couldn’t come up with a reason for needing his cell phone, but they agreed to forward any emergency texts throughout the day. Blayne and Ethan swapped phones, and Ethan gave Blayne a quick tutorial on using his device.
There was a knock at Blayne’s door, so he walked through the apartment, checked the peephole and opened the door.
“Whoa,” Kira said. She took Blayne in as he stood framed in the doorway. “This is pretty damn eerie.”
“Were you followed?” Ethan asked, standing out of the way of the front door.
“At least two photographers followed me. I had to slow down several times to ensure they could tail me.”
“Shall we give them a big show?” Blayne asked.
“I would prefer a friendly handshake,” Kira said, her annoyance shining through. “But, let’s put on the show. If you grab my ass, though, I’ll deck you.”
Blayne laughed audibly and hoped it would make for a magnificent picture before he embraced Kira in a bear hug. He then ushered Kira into the apartment and shut the door.
“So, what’s the plan?” Kira asked.
“We’ll wait a few minutes, then head over to Dream Bean,” Blayne said.
“We think the more ridiculously public you two can be, the better,” Ethan said.
“Let’s get this over,” Kira said. “My car or yours?”
“Ethan and I talked about it,” Blayne said. “We both think it makes more sense for you to drive since Ethan wouldn’t have a car here.”
“Fine,” Kira said.
“Call me if you need anything,” Ethan said.
Blayne opened the door, and Kira left the apartment. Blayne made a big show of locking the front door of the apartment. He grasped Kira’s hand as she practically dragged him to her car.
Within minutes, Kira pulled into a parking space about a block from the coffee shop. There were cars everywhere.Hopefully, Dream Bean is getting some good publicity and business out of this, Blayne thought.
“Shall we hold hands?” Blayne asked.
“Only if you want me to squeeze your hand so hard one of your bones will break,” Kira said with a sickly sweet smile.
“Okay, so no hand holding.”
“Smart idea.”
Blayne and Kira walked the block and pretended they didn’t see any of the paparazzi along the way who were taking a ton of photos. Someone had asked the paparazzi to move off the property, so Blayne and Kira could make it into the café unaccosted.
“Stage one is complete,” Blayne muttered as they entered the café.
“Thank God.”
The two walked up to the barista. Once again, Blayne found himself face-to-face with his student.
Blayne watched as Todd did a double-take as Blayne removed the baseball cap and moved the Oakleys to the top of his head.
“Morning, Todd. I’m going to have a large flat white.” Blayne motioned to Kira, saying, “And whatever she’s having.”
“Large bold coffee, cream, no sugar.”
