“But Merrilee, she’s—”
He patted her on the shoulder and slipped away into the crowd, considering himself lucky he’d managed to avoid her one more time. But it couldn’t go on forever. Sooner or later, they’d have to meet. And sooner or later, he’d have to tell her the truth.
He thought of the heart-shaped ruby necklace he’d hidden in his flight bag. Just a few more gifts. A few more, and then he’d fortify his courage and go have a talk with the woman he loved.
Carefully, so as not to attract Merrilee’s attention, he slipped behind a stand of potted palms and ran smack into Tony.
“Lord have mercy, you scared the devil out of me.”
“Sorry.” Tony stepped backward, slipping further into the shadows. “Trying to avoid Merrilee?”
“Eavesdropping’s a bad habit, son.”
“I’ve got a lot of bad habits.”
The kid tilted his head, one green eye boring into C.J. “Didn’t I see you outside of Merrilee’s cabin the other night?” He grinned, then leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest. “C.J., old man, have you got a thing going with the boss?”
C.J. took an involuntary step backward. He’d left a wreath of roses along with a bottle of White Shoulders perfume on her bed. The last thing in the world he imagined was that he’d been seen. “Don’t be absurd. There’s nothing going on. I was just in the area,” he lied.
“Uh-huh.” Tony didn’t look convinced. “What were you telling me about going after Kyra? It was good advice. You sure you’re not taking it yourself?”
“I never noticed your eyes are different colors,” C.J. said, hoping to change the subject.
The kid shifted, pulling the cap he wore down lower. “Just a trick of the light,” he said.
C.J. wasn’t convinced. In fact, for the first time, he noticed that, slicked back, Tony’s hair seemed darker. And the boy was in desperate need of a shave. Something tickled the back of his memory, and he tried unsuccessfully to grab on to it. “Kyra’s over there,” he said. “I think she’d love to see you.”
“And I think you’re changing the subject.” The kid leaned against the planter. “You’ve got a secret, old man. When are you going to tell her?”
C.J. exhaled. He knew when he was beat. “The time’s not right. Not yet.” He also knew what had been bothering him. The unshaven face. The one green eye. He looked Tony in the eye. “It’s hard knowing when to share secrets, don’t you think?”
“I’ve never given it much thought.”
“No? Maybe you should.”
For a moment, the kid looked startled, but he recovered nicely, and C.J. wondered if Kyra had any clue that her friend and her lover were the same man. Even more, he hoped that finding out wouldn’t kill that light he saw in her eyes when she talked about either one of them. Deception was a tricky game.
He knew. He was risking everything for another chance with Merrilee.
But soon…soon he’d share his secret with the woman he loved.
He only hoped that Tony would, too.
* * *
SECRETS.
The word hung in the air, raw and accusing.
Tony swallowed and took a step backward. “I don’t have any secrets.”
“Uh-huh.” C.J. nodded toward the bar. “Go see the girl, son.”
Tony shook his head, wanting more than anything to go to her, right then. But Tony Moretti wasn’t the man she wanted to see. “I’m not the one she wants to see right now. She’s interested in someone else.” He met C.J.’s eyes. “She’s waiting for someone else.”
C.J. looked him up and down. “I know. She told me exactly who she’s waiting for.” He patted the kid on the shoulder as he moved past him. “Good luck, son. Give my regards to Ms. Cartwright.”
As C.J. moved past him, Tony wondered if C.J. had figured out his secret identity. The possibility didn’tunnerve him too much. After all, the man was part of the staff, so if he did clue in, he’d still be sworn to secrecy. Besides, he knew C.J. liked him; the man wouldn’t rat on Tony.
