Changing Roles

“I had Ryan drive out with his windows open so they could see I wasn’t in the car. They hung around the gates.”

“Wait. I thought you just said you went out?”

“I did. I was in the trunk. Ryan let me out at the side entrance. I did my shopping and hid on the way home again. I chatted at him from the split seat in the back. He told me all about his wife and how they met.”

I burst out laughing. “Whose idea was that?”

“Mine.”

“Oh, Beaker, you are bloody brilliant.” I chuckled. “But that is rather dangerous. I don’t think I like the idea of you rolling around in the trunk, unrestrained.”

“You’d rather I be restrained, Liam?”

“I’d like to restrain you.”

She giggled. “Hold that thought, Oscar.”

“Oh, baby, I will.” Then I became serious. “They’ll catch on.”

“I know. But I fooled them today, and I’ll handle tomorrow when tomorrow comes.”

She still astonished me how coolly she was handling this pressure. “You are truly amazing,” I praised her. “I can’t believe how well you’re coping with this mess.”

“You’re worth it.”

God, I hoped she kept thinking so.

I heard my name and I sighed. “I have to go.”

“I love you.”

“Ah, Shelby, you have no idea how bloody much I love hearing you say that. I love you too. I’ll call you tonight.”

I hung up, thinking. Ryan had driven her, and all went well, but I didn’t want her in the trunk, as genius as that was today. And soon she would refuse to let him drive her if she felt she could do it on her own—I knew that for a fact. She would want to start testing the waters. Her car was older, a Honda that had seen better days—it was also the base model. No tinted windows, no air conditioning. She said she didn’t need it for errands. But things had changed. I didn’t want her that exposed when she left the house.

My name was called again, and I grabbed my phone, dialing Everett.

It was time to upgrade Shelby’s ride.

And I had $90,000 burning a hole in my pocket to pay her back.

Perfect.18LiamI never thought the week would end, and I was thrilled when I finished ahead of schedule. I caught the first flight out so I would be home early in the day instead of late that evening. I had Everett keep the change a secret so I could surprise Shelby. With the early departure, I even slipped through the airport undetected. I hoped it would happen at LAX as well. I wanted to arrive unannounced.

God, I had missed Beaker.

She had been amazing all week. She kept her cool and her sense of humor, even when other stories surfaced about the fact that she was older and divorced, accompanied by pictures of her looking less than glamorous. I didn’t care about the age difference or the photos, and I was thrilled they had gotten the second part wrong. Once they found out she wasn’t yet divorced, it might get uglier. Although Everett thought the divorce would happen any day now. The lawyer he had hired was pushing it through as quickly and quietly as possible.

Cassidy issued a simple statement, and otherwise, we ignored what was being said as best we could. Ryan had proven himself a man of his word, helping Shelby get around safely the whole time I was gone. I knew the shouting and flashes bothered her, but she remained composed, which, in turn, kept me calm. I was gobsmacked at her attitude. She was brilliant.

Everett had a car waiting for Mark and me, and as usual, he chose a different style of vehicle so it wouldn’t be recognized. That meant there was a chance I could get past the crowd at the gate quite easily if they didn’t realize it was me in the back. As in the past, Mark would stay in the car and depart after I was safely in the house.

Entering my home, I headed straight for the kitchen, disappointed to find it empty. I saw two coffee cups on the counter and figured Shelby must be out with Ryan. I checked the garage, surprised to find her car gone. Had they taken hers? Where was his car? That seemed unusual. But I could smell turkey cooking in the oven, which meant she couldn’t be far. She was getting ready for me to come home.

Grabbing my bag, I went upstairs, walking into my room and breathing in the scent of Shelby. The top of my dresser now had bottles and jars on it—Shelby’s lotions and perfume, which filled the air with her fragrance. It made me long for her to get home. I tossed my bag in the closet and came out, stopping dead at the sight in front of me. Sitting in the middle of my bed, eyeballing me back, was a cat.