“We don’t accept bones as payment.”
I pulled open the door and held it for Hayes. “Guess I’d better stay on the straight and narrow.”
“Guess so.” Hayes smiled at the woman behind the hostess station. “Hey, Cammie. Got a table for two?”
“Sure do. A booth and everything—” Her words cut off as she registered me next to Hayes. “Oh, my God. No way. You’re—you’re—”
“A friend of mine, who is trying to keep a low profile and away from prying eyes,” Hayes finished for her.
Cammie’s eyes were still wide, but her head bobbed up and down. “Got it. Top-secret status.” She all but vibrated but kept her voice barely above a whisper. “That movie you did with Ava Arndt? I’ve probably seen it a million times. I know it by heart.”
I reached out a hand to her in a shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Cammie. I’m sure I can rustle up some swag from the film. Maybe a poster and sign it for you. Get Hayes to pass it along.”
She let out a little squeak. “That would be amazing. Just amazing.”
“Happy to. And thanks for keeping my secret. If the paparazzi show up here, I’ll probably have to go back to LA.”
Cammie shook her head vigorously. “I won’t tell a soul.” Her cheeks pinked. “Well, I’ll tell everyone and their brother, but not till after you’re gone. I swear.”
I chuckled, but something about her words grated on me. I didn’t want to leave. Wolf Gap, with its sweeping landscapes and calming air, was becoming like a drug. And it wasn’t the only thing. Laiken’s face filled my mind, slack with sleep. When she rolled on top of me, I’d watched her for hours. The way the hair around her face fluttered with each breath. The movement of her eyes beneath her lids. I hadn’t wanted to miss a second of what it felt like to be wrapped up with her. And I wanted more.
“Thanks, Cammie.”
She motioned us forward. “I’ve got a table for you in the corner. It’s got dividers so no one will have a good view. And I’ll wait on your table personally so no other waitstaff sees you.”
Hayes patted her on the shoulder. “I knew we could count on you.”
We settled into the booth, and Cammie jogged off to get us a couple of Cokes. Hayes let free the laughter he’d clearly been holding in. “Is it always like that for you?”
“In LA, not so much. People pay attention, but they try to play it cool. This is better. More honest. I’d prefer someone come and talk to me rather than try to sneak a picture when I’m not looking.”
“That has to be exhausting, always feeling like you’re being watched.”
I shrugged. “It’s the price I pay to do what I love.”
Cammie slid the sodas across the table. “Do you know what you want, or do you need a minute with the menu?” She grinned. “I know he doesn’t need a minute. Burger or nachos?”
“One day, I’m going to stump you,” Hayes said. “I’ll take a burger.”
“If you order something else, I’ll faint on the spot.”
This was the kind of thing I’d missed growing up in LA. The small-town, everyone-knows-each-other feel. The simple comfort of someone knowing your restaurant order like the back of their hand. “I’ll do the burger, too. Medium. With American cheese.”
“Coming right up.” She turned on her heel and headed for the kitchen.
“So, you just bored, or did you call this lunch with a purpose?” Hayes asked.
I guessed there was no sense in dancing around the issue. “I’m worried about Laiken.”
Hayes set up straighter. “In what way?”
“If someone is out for the people involved in the accident, who’s watching her back? Anyone could walk into that gallery. All day long. And what about at night? It doesn’t seem like there’s stellar security on the building.”
“I’ve got it on regular drive-bys. Which is how I know her car never made it there last night. One of my guys saw her following you back to Ramsey’s.”
Why did I feel the sudden urge to blush? “She was rattled. We stayed up doing anIron Manmarathon and fell asleep on the couch.”
Hayes held up both hands. “I’m not asking what your intentions are with Laiken. I’m just saying we’re paying attention. I’ll do whatever it takes to help keep her safe. But it wouldn’t hurt if you stayed close, too.”