The compassionate look in his eyes drew her in. There was so much sincerity in those blue depths. As though he’d like nothing more than to solve all her problems or at least comfort her. No doubt she could use a hug about now. But she hardly knew Levi. And he was only doing his job.
“Nothing, I—it’s just business. I have to make a phone call.”
She didn’t want him to overhear her conversation with Nolan. She looked around the lot. It was empty here at the back, but there were a lot of people up toward the docks, and cars coming and going. She couldn’t be seen here, much less take the chance of being overheard.
“Just take me back to the inn, please.”
He was still studying her with that unfathomable expression. As though he wanted to say something but didn’t know if he should. Growing uncomfortable with his scrutiny and the silence, she dropped her eyes to her phone.
Nolan had tried to call twice, and there was a voicemail.
“I already know about the scandal,” Levi said softly.
She sucked in a deep breath as her eyes locked with his. He’d read all those headlines. Not today’s, she was sure. But the others were bad enough. Her face filled with heat.
But why did she even care about some backwoods innkeeper’s opinion of her?
She knuckled off a tear. “Of course you do.”
“Did the media find out where you are? Is that what’s wrong?”
“No.” She sniffled. “But hey. Maybe you can just tell them and put us all out of our misery.”
He tilted his head. “I’m not going to do that.”
“Oh, why not, Levi? You could make a lot of money, you know. One simple phone call and you’d have a nice fat check.”
He gave an audible sigh. “That’s not my style. I wasn’t trying to pry into your personal business, and I’m not trying to pry now. But I am trying to keep you safe, Mia, and I need your help in order to do that.”
Another tear leaked out. This one because she was being such a jerk, and he didn’t really deserve it.
“Do you need to leave Bluebell? I have a friend with a floatplane. We can get you out of here without anyone knowing.”
She gave that some thought. She didn’t think she needed to leave, but it was nice to know she had a discreet way out of town if she needed it.
“I need to call my agent and figure things out.”
“All right. Whatever you want. We’ll head back to the inn.” He put the car into Reverse and pulled from the lot.
Her mind was spinning with everything she’d just read. If only they’d jumped on this sooner. Now anything she said was only going to seem fabricated. She should’ve come out with the truth from the beginning instead of hoping all this would just blow over.
A few minutes later Levi was pulling into the slot in front of the inn. Mia put her sunglasses back on and stepped out when he opened the door.
She stopped, staring at the inn. “Do the others know too?”
When he didn’t answer, she sneaked a peek.
His lips pressed together.
Of course they did. Great.
She walked past him and up the walk. If there were any inkling of a chance they’d believed in her before, it had just died with today’s press release. They thought she was some sleazy, obsessed seducer of married men.
She almost laughed, because that’s just the kind of character she’d played inInto the Deep. Then she realized it wasn’t funny at all. Because America, who’d already seen her play that role so convincingly, would have no trouble believing that’s exactly what kind of person she was.
***
Things were quiet at the inn after Levi brought Mia back. Miss Della had already left for the day. Molly was probably at Adam’s house. Grace had cleaned Mia’s room while she was hiking, but his little sister seemed to have disappeared too. She was probably off enjoying the great outdoors.
