“We can all hear you,” the man behind me mutters, and I spin around and gaze at him. This time, I fully take in his appearance.He’s wearing loose-fitting cargo pants, a simple cotton shirt, and an expensive-looking blue blazer. His hair is dark, with golden hues, and his blue eyes are dazzling. He looks like a typical rich tourist who thinks that just because he’s handsome and has money, he can treat people however he likes.
“We don’t stand for entitled rude assholes in our small town.” I muster all the gravitas I can at the moment and ignore the way his lips twitch at my words. “I’m on a very important call with my work colleague, and my earbuds don’t appear to be working.”
“Then maybe you should go outside and deal with the issue.” He stares at me as if that is the only sensible answer, and in any other situation, it would be, but I can hardly tell the man that I’m spying on my maybe boyfriend to see if he’s two stores down at the jewelry store, looking to buy me an engagement ring. If I go outside, Patrick will definitely see me, but from Emma’s vantage point, she’s unlikely to be noticed.
“Unfortunately, this is a high-level operation.” I lower my voice and lean forward. “I cannot be seen.”
“You cannot be seen?” His eyes narrow as he takes in my appearance. I know I don’t look like a secret agent in my faded, about-to-rip-apart jeans and oversized sweater, but maybe I can use that fact to my advantage. Maybe, just maybe, I can play this and make this man feel like a fool.
“This is a uniform,” I blurt out. “To blend in with the normal people of Whisper Cove.” I am looking around the store now, pretending like I’m scoping it out. “I can’t tell you any more information, but just know that if I could be outside on this call right now, I would be.”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me.” He glances in front of me. “You can move up again.”
“I am,” I snap as I turn back around and shuffle ahead. My eyes narrow as I gaze at the glass display case in front of us.There is only one Strawberry Special cupcake left, and my heart sinks. The Strawberry Special cupcake is my favorite cupcake of all time. It is a vanilla sponge with strawberry pieces, the most delicious pink frosting, and a fresh-sliced strawberry on top. It tastes like heaven and is the entire reason I’m willing to stand in the long line. I count the number of people in front of me. Eight. Shit. If one of them takes my cupcake, I will cry. Not even a mocha latte with whipped cream will make up for missing out on my favorite cupcake.
“Can you hear me, Gina?” Emma’s garbled voice sounds through my fading earbuds, and I realize for a moment that I’d completely forgotten about her.
“I am here, Alpha Beta Gamma 10,” I say officially. “Any updates on the mission?” I look back at the handsome grump behind me and tilt my nose up.
“Rhihadi jihd,” she says, and I groan. I do not know what she’s saying. Damnit! I have two options right now if I want to hear her, and one of them, going outside, is not really an option.
“Sir, I apologize in advance, but this is a case of national importance.” I feel my stomach curling at my lie, but even that is not enough to stop me from what I do next. I grab my wallet, pull out one of my credit cards and my driver’s license, and flash them in his face quickly. Hopefully, he’s not some superhero with special sight that could actually read what I just showed him. “I’m Special Agent Spellman, FBI.” The words are out before I can stop them. “My operative is in the, um, field and is in need of instructions, so I will have to place her on speakerphone. I promise it will be low, but I can’t promise you won’t hear anything.” My face is red hot, and I feel immediately ashamed of myself. I am better than this. Though, maybe if I do figure out a crime before it happens, the FBI will be impressed. The sinking feeling in my stomach tells me that the mature and socially aware part of my brain isn’t buying it.
“FBI?” He doesn’t look impressed, and I don’t know if that’s because he doesn’t believe me or because he doesn’t like the FBI. I will not ask. “Who’s the director?”
“Sorry, what?” I stare at him in confusion. “Of what movie?” Is this his way of trying to get to know me? I offer him a small, conciliatory smile. He’s hot, but I am in the middle of an it’s-too-complicated situation and really don’t want to give him the wrong impression.
“Who’s the director of the FBI?” He assesses me smoothly, and I feel all the blood run out of my body. “It recently changed, correct?”
Oh shit, shit, shit. Why did I say the FBI? I swallow hard and think. Do I have time to do a quick search on my phone? I square my shoulders and tilt my head up before glancing down at my phone.
“Excuse me, but my operative is waiting. I’m sorry to do this, but the earpiece on the phone doesn’t work properly if I put it to my ear.” I quickly press the speakerphone and turn down the volume. “Are you still there, Agent Alpha Beta Gamma 10?” I try to talk quietly. I know it’s obnoxious to be on speakerphone.
“What? Gina, is that you?”
“This is Special Agent Spellman. I can hear you, Agent...” I pause as I try to remember the name I’d given her. “Beta Gamma 10. You are on speakerphone, by the way. My stupid, cheap-ass Bluetooth earbuds stopped working.”
“You forgot the Alpha,” Grumpy asshole says, and I don’t even bother to look at him. Partly because I’m embarrassed about this immature ruse, and secondly, because he’s the reason I started the lie in the first place. “And I don’t mean the alpha male you want to carry you across his shoulders,” He mumbles under his breath, and once again, I wonder if he’s flirting. Or offering to carry me…anywhere.Get it together, Gina.
“Gina, I’m not sure what’s going on, but I haven’t seen Patrick yet. What time was his appointment?”
“The target’s appointment should be in five to ten minutes,” I say authoritatively. “Keep your eyes and ears open.”
“I’m trying, girl. It stinks back here. Did you hear me say my boots may be ruined? Dog owners really need to do a better job of cleaning up after themselves.”
“Understood, Agent. I will see if we can get you reimbursed by the bureau.”
“The who?” Emma sounds confused, and I’m sending her telepathic thoughts to just go along with whatever I’m saying. “Is that what you’re calling your travel fund now?”
“Agent, I need you to concentrate and keep your wits about you. We are dealing with a very...” I was about to saydangerous individual, but then realized that’s crossing a line I shouldn't cross. I’m not looking to go to jail, and I have a feeling that I’m already close to it by pretending to be in the FBI, when what I’m really doing is trying to spy on my boyfriend. “This is not worth it,” I mumble under my breath as I shift forward. I feel like I did as a teenager, and I know I need to make some big changes in my life moving forward. Pretending I was in the FBI had been a dumb move, and I know it.
“I’m thirsty,” Emma says. “Get me a lavender latte, please, and an oatmeal raisin cookie if they have any left. How’s the line today?”
“It’s long.” I sigh. “And they only have one of the Strawberry Special cupcakes left. I will die if it is sold before I get to the front. It looks so perfect and delicious sitting there, waiting for me to eat it.”
“The FBI is so professional these days,” The guy behind me mutters yet again in his grumpy voice. “Talking about food while investigating an important case.” I turn around and give him my most icy stare and narrow my eyes.
“We are just people who have to eat, as well.” I stare at him in disdain. “We do this work to save lives. However, we are not martyrs to the job.” I say it proudly, like I really am a member of the FBI. Maybe I’ll look into applications if I get fired from the paper. Though I am almost positive that the FBI would never hire me, for a multitude of reasons, not even including this performance.
