Page 48

“A surprise.” Sawyer pulled out a credit card and paid. “Thanks, Ken.”
After that, they wandered back to Sawyer’s SUV.
“It’s nice to feel…normal,” she told him. “No fans wanting selfies or autographs.”
“It must get crazy.”
“Yes, it does. People can be really weird sometimes.” She looked around. “This is really nice.”
“There she is!” a man yelled.
Sawyer’s head whipped around, and Hollis looked over her shoulder. She spotted the man with the camera and huge lens instantly.
“Hollis, over here.”
Another man with a camera stood across the street.
“Who’s the guy?” the first man yelled.
“Come on.” Sawyer urged her in front of him. “Get to my SUV.”
Hollis picked up speed, frustration chewing at her. Nothing good ever lasted.
A crowd of tourists stood ahead on the sidewalk, phones up and aimed her way. Ugh, she hated people sometimes.
Sawyer scowled at them. Hollis just focused on getting to the vehicle. When she saw the SUV, relief punched through her.
Yanking the back door open, Sawyer quickly shoved the box on the back seat. “Get in. Keep your head down.”
Hollis didn’t argue. She slid into the passenger seat. She just wanted to get out of there.
A moment later, Sawyer drove out onto the street and gunned the engine.
She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. “I knew it was coming. I guess I just hoped I had a few more days.”
“I’ll call Jesse. Get him to keep an eye on the photogs.” His voice was a low growl. “If they step out of line, it’ll be my pleasure to boot them off the island.”
She clenched her hands together. “It won’t take them long to find out I’m staying at Archer’s house.”
“I’m taking the long way home. I’ll make sure no one is following us.” He reached over and squeezed her knee. “I’m not lettinganyonenear you. Photographers, or attackers.”
There he went, making her heart go crazy again. Hollis’s cellphone rang. She pulled it out and groaned.
“Problem?” he asked.
“My mother.” She dragged in a deep breath. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hollis.” Kate Charles always had a strident note to her voice, and was always in a rush. “You haven’t called in almost two weeks.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Playacting. I’m sure you could’ve found some time.”
Hollis sighed. “I’ve actually taken some time off.”
“Really? You don’t really have set hours. Do you need a vacation? I worked two jobs when you were little, and I didn’t get any time off.”
She felt a headache spring to life. “My job often requires long hours, Mom.” She rubbed the groove forming between her eyes. She knew explaining things wasn’t worth the effort. “Anyway, how are you?” It was always best to turn the conversation onto her mother.