“Do you ever just relax?”
He flipped a page, not even bothering to look up. “No.”
“Why?”
“Because letting your guard down is how you get killed.”
Fear coiled in her gut and she instinctively placed a hand over her stomach, as if she could shield her baby from whatever dangers may be lurking around the corner. “Do you really think a rival gang or whatever is going to attack us in broad daylight?”
“It’s been known to happen.” Another flip of a page. Was he actually reading, or just making a show of it? “But a place like this, with all these people, the feds are more of a concern.”
She had to consciously stop her jaw from falling open. “The feds? Like the FBI?”
Now he did glance up, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. “Yes, love, like the FBI.”
“Does the FBI come around… often?”
“Every now and then. We’re pretty much always on their radar, but they usually don’t hassle us unless we give them a reason. They’ve been on our asses more after what went down at the docks a couple months ago.”
“What went down at the docks?”
“Nothing to concern yourself with.”
He might as well have patted her like a puppy and told her not to worry her pretty little head about it.
Asshole.
But before she could interrogate him any further, it was their turn at Goldie’s table. She was even prettier in person, with her dark hair cropped close in a style that managed to seem business-like and whimsical at the same time. From her ears dangled a pair of gold earrings, and it took Aria a moment to realize they weren’t just random blobs, but hammerhead sharks. The oversized blazer she wore was covered in hot pink sequins, and when she looked up, her smile shone as bright as the glittering jacket.
All in all, the effect was… dazzling was the only word that came to mind.
“Hi! Oh my gosh, I love your top. That blue really makes your eyes pop.”
Still somewhat reeling from the impact of not just seeing her new favorite author in person for the first time but also realizing that author was basically the human equivalent of a house decked out for Christmas, complete with an army of inflatable lawn ornaments, Aria blinked and looked down at her top. It was one of those pieces that had magically appeared in her closet one day, and she hadn’t really thought anything of it when she’d put it on that morning. “Um… thanks?”
“You’re welcome.” A hint of mischief infused Goldie’s smile. “Did you want me to sign your books?”
The question knocked Aria out of her stupor. “Yes, of course. Sorry. Here you go.”
“No sorries needed, these things can be a lot,” Goldie said with a laugh as she took the book and flipped it open to the title page. “Who do I make it out to?”
“Aria.”
“Aw, that’s such a pretty name! Do you live around here, Aria?”
“Yeah. Well, now I do. I mostly grew up in Oregon, but my dad was born and raised here so I’ve spent plenty of time here too.”
“Oregon is beautiful. I love the Pacific Northwest.” Still smiling that dazzling smile, Goldie handed the book back to her and shifted her attention to Brody, her eyes brightening with interest. “Is this your husband? Boyfriend?”
“Babysitter. It’s… a long story.”
The interest in the other woman’s eyes deepened as she held out her hand for Brody’s book. “I love long stories, as you can tell by the door stopper of a book you have in your hand. What’s your name, Mr. Babysitter?”
“Just leave the name blank, thanks.”
“Curiouser and curiouser.” Goldie scratched her name onto the page and handed it back. “Enjoy the book, Mr. Babysitter No Name.”
“Read it while we were standing in line. It’s all bullshit, but I suppose that’s part of what makes it entertaining.”
