Page 20

7
Riley
I put my hoodie up and my sunglasses on before the Uber XL arrives. After walking back to Gigi’s with my surfboard once, I decided the hike was too long and my paranoia too high to ever do it again. Taking an Uber while semi-disguised seemed like a much better option.
Cooper, a cyber security guy Agent Keller put me in touch with, set up a fake account with the name the Feds gave me when I was in witness protection—Rider, because it’s similar to Riley. The picture is fake, and the bank card it’s linked to is also under the fake name. My entire life has been fake for a year.
I sling my bag over my shoulder, my wetsuit inside, and hold the surfboard in the other. The only good thing about the last year is I’ve been able to surf more than ever. It’s crucial for my mental sanity, along with working out in Gigi’s home gym. That place is state of the art. She spared no expense, even though I rarely see her in there. She seems more into yoga these days.
Surfing, building muscle, and day trading are all I have in my life. Perhaps that’s why dinner was so much fun with Nova. I didn’t want to eat with her, but she was sweet enough to bring me food, so I couldn’t turn her away. I didn’t want to get to know her or like her. My attraction to her is already a weakness I can’t afford. Not that I would ever make a move on Gigi’s granddaughter. That would be disrespectful.
I thought about it a lot last night, though.
Even if Nova didn’t have the face and body of my dream girl, her personality and honesty are alluring. She has a sweetness and innocence I didn’t expect. How the hell did she end up with a guy like Justice? He’s known for being reckless and toxic. I assumed she was a typical self-centered, party girl in search of the spotlight, but she’s not that at all. Her mom sounds more like that. Nova also gave off an insecure vibe at one point. I could be wrong, but she seemed to tense up when I complimented her. In my defense, I was doing my best not to say more. She’s inadvertently sexy, with those lips and how she licked her fingers and batted her long lashes at me. It wasn’t an act. She seems clueless to her appeal, which makes her even more tempting.
She passed out on the couch in the most uncomfortable-looking position. I couldn’t leave her that way, so I carried her to my bed and tucked her under the covers.
She felt damn good in my arms—too good, because I could feel the softness of her curves and the warmth of her body.
Shit.I have to stop thinking of her in this way. I won’t survive staying at Gigi’s, and I need another month before I have my finances in place. Maybe I can avoid Nova for the next four weeks.
The SUV pulls up to the curb and the driver rolls down his window. “Rider?”
“That’s me. Can you open the hatch for my board?”
He does, and I rig the surfboard so it fits before climbing in the back seat. We drive in silence. The Uber drivers here seem to prefer it, which is fine by me. He drops me off at the corner about a block from Gigi’s estate. I never give her address or have myself dropped off at her estate.
After walking the short distance to Gigi’s, I put the code into the gate and stroll up the driveway to the garage. This has been my routine for the last month. Usually, I eat my breakfast in the kitchen but I’m hesitant. What if Nova is in there eating?
What if she wants to talk and disarms me with her cute mannerisms and stories—or worse, what if she licks her fingers again?
Yeah. I should skip breakfast today.
“I see you,” a feminine voice calls out.
I turn and find Gigi ambling toward me. She sprint-walks around the estate grounds on occasion. Based on her matching workout attire, I’d guess she either just finished or is about to start.
“Morning.”
“Inez has your breakfast waiting. I hope you aren’t planning to sneak off to the gym to work out on an empty stomach. She wouldn’t like that.”
Gigi and her intuition. “I’m not really hungry.”
“Too much pasta last night?” She waltzes closer, a curious glint in her emerald eyes.
“Something like that.”
“How are you doing?” Her motherly tone comes out, and it’s filled with concern.
“I’m great. Really, I am. Staying here has been amazing. I can’t thank you enough.”
“No thank-you necessary.” She says this every time. “I’m happy to help. I wish I could do more. Did you and Nova have fun last night? I hope you got the chance to catch up after all these years.”
She knows exactly where and when to insert questions she wants answers to.
“We did a little. She’s a great girl—great young lady.”
A loving smile brightens her face. “Yes, she is. She’s special. A little lost, but who isn’t, right?”