“Keep telling yourself you don’t notice things, Elk.”
Shane laughed, then grew serious again. “Look. You two would be good together. You both love those fantasy books, you’re both uber-nerds, and you are about to give her something that will make her little nerd heart go pitter-patter. She’s going to love it.”
Ben couldn’t help but grin. “Maybe.”
“Maybe nothing. Stop second-guessing yourself, dumbass.”
As Ben laughed, he felt something in his chest unclench. “Thanks, brother.”
“Anytime. Now go give her that dress.”
“Hang on. How do you know I’m seeing her today?”
“I know because I already talked to King about you, among other things.”
Ben almost dropped his phone. “You what? So you already knew everything when I called.”
“I did. Ain’t I a stinker?”
“You suck. So why’d you talk to her?”
Shane laughed. “We do work together, remember? I was at her debriefing about what went down on Saturday. She spokehighly of how you helped with getting her principal to safety.Highly. You hear what I’m saying?”
Ben’s heart sped up. “Yeah.”
“You better. Like I said, Moose—you two are adults and it’s up to you to work your shit out.”
“I hate it when you’re right, Elk.”
“It’s for the record books, I know. And Moose?”
“Yeah?”
“When she says yes to going out with you—and she will—don’t make me regret giving you this pep talk by chickening out again.”
Ben grinned despite himself. “Deal.”
He looked toward the dress bag. The morning light spilled through the doorway, catching the faint glint of the zipper. He should leave it alone. Let it hang there, like a secret he’d keep forever.
But the thought of Charlie’s face when she saw it—surprise first, then that reluctant, wary smile she tried to hide—that was worth every risk.
He rinsed the mug, set it in the sink, and reached for his jacket.
“Warrior Princess,” he muttered under his breath. “You’re gonna be the death of me.”
NINE
Monday morning,Charlie caught Flo’s big, doggie smile in the hotel’s bathroom mirror and smiled back. She wasn’t sure which one of them was happier that Flo was coming along today instead of getting sidelined again. They were going up into the mountains today, to check out potential filming sites with Viv, Rowan, and Maddie.
And Ben.
Charlie closed her eyes and felt her cheeks heat up. How was she supposed to face him after the debriefing at Watchdog on Saturday night?
The conference roomat Watchdog felt small with six people crammed around the table. Charlie sat with Flo at her feet, the Malinois picking up on the tension thrumming through the room. Viv and Rowan sat side by side, still in their Ren Faire costumes minus the prosthetics. Maddie clutched her tablet like a life preserver. Viv hadn’t wanted to disturb her on her day off, but she insisted on coming in the moment she heard whathappened. Shane sat beside Maddie. Kyle stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, his expression grim.
“Let’s go over what happened,” Kyle said. “Charlie?”
She kept her voice professional, clinical. “At approximately 13:45, I observed five individuals in Caidansworn capes converging on the costume shop. Ben Massey alerted me to their presence before they reached our position. We evacuated through the back exit with his assistance. Faire security escorted eight individuals off the premises total—the original five plus three more who attempted to intercept us.”
