Page 77 of Noel Secrets

Love her? Should he tell Daphne they’d kissed, or would that make her respond even more extremely? Maybe Addie had already told her sister about the kiss. His neck felt hot and his chest tight.

“I’m taking all the burden,” Daphne insisted. “It’s off your shoulders. When the time is right, I’ll tell her that you insisted on her knowing the truth, but Vance was the client and you’re under contractual obligation to obey him, or me, and we wouldn’t let you reveal why you were there. Believe me, this is the best plan. I know my sis.”

Price drew in a breath. “If we grow even closer and she finds out I’ve been hiding the truth from her, I’m afraid she’ll be even more upset.”

“At me. Not at you. Now that she knows you’re close by, you can run into her out getting the mail or at church or the grocery store, ask her out, kiss her—kiss her a lot—, be there for her, whatever you think. Brex tells me you’re the best of men and I trust you. You can fall in love and it will all be perfect.”

Price wasn’t so sure about falling in love or any of this being perfect. He was on a job and the client was telling him to keep lying to the woman he was protecting, and falling for, kiss her and gain her trust while hiding why he was there and that he’d been hired to be there for her. Sure, he’d done undercover work and infiltration jobs, but never into anyone’s heart. Especially a heart that he cared so deeply for already.

It all felt wrong.

“Daphne.” He swallowed. “She kissed me last night. I kissed her back.”

Daphne let out a whoop and then a scream. “Yay!” she cheered. “Was it an epic kiss?”

“Yes,” he admitted.

She cheered louder. “Vance, Vance,” she called. “They kissed! It’s true love!”

Price would’ve laughed at her overexuberance, but he couldn’t think of the last time he’d been this messed up. Maybe when Jaydyne had ditched him. He was falling for Addie Belle, and her sister was paying him to protect her and to lie to her about being her protection detail.

“I’m so happy, and it’s not lying. You’re simply not disclosing your assignment to her.”

“That doesn’t feel like the right way to gain her trust.”

“Why should you never trust a train?”

He blinked. That was a bizarre question. “I don’t know.”

“Because they have loco … motives.” Daphne laughed at her own joke.

Price found himself giving a surprised laugh. He liked Daphne Belle. Despite their bizarre conversation, he felt comfortable talking to her. She was funny like Addie was funny, but in an entirely different way. If only Daphne wasn’t asking him to keep a secret from her sister.

“Please,” she begged. “You have to listen to me and trust me. I have good motives, not loco ones. Think about it. Which of us has known Addie longer?”

“You,” he admitted.

“I’m her sis. Her favorite sis, I might add. I’m sure she’s already told you all about me and how much she looks up to me and wishes she could be as funny as me.” She laughed. “I know what she’s like and what will work. Get to know her. Get her to fall for you. Keep protecting her. I’ll take the wrath of hiding it when the moment is right, but she’ll already love you and of course she’ll forgive you.”

Price had no idea what to say. If only he was more confident in relationships. His conscience was saying this was all wrong, but he didn’t want to question the client and of course her sister would know her better than he did. The last thing he wanted was to lose Addie or push her away before they had a chance to get to know each other. Was trusting her sister’s advice and instincts the best route?

“If you tell her now, it’ll be over before it’s begun and all of our hearts will be broken,” Daphne said dramatically.

Price feared she was right. He had no response.

“All right then,” Daphne said, as if it were all settled. “Thanks for the chat. Why did the mouse never say goodbye?”

“I have no idea.” He shook his head. Daphne was silly but somehow endearing.

“Because it was too busy saying cheese.” She laughed again. “Okay. Goodbye. Thank you. Stick with the plan. You’re the best!”

The call disconnected. Price wasn’t sure what had just happened. Daphne had demanded he not reveal the truth to Addie. Could he do that? Her reassurances that she’d take the fall weren’t great. He didn’t want Addie upset, and he didn’t want to damage her trust. Period. He also didn’t want whatever was developing between them to be over before it began. Daphne had been awfully certain that would happen if he revealed the truth now.

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. A few minutes later, he pulled into the rental. He hurried inside to brush his teeth and spray on some cologne before grabbing the sack of banana pudding and walking the four doors down to Addie’s cottage.

Price rapped on the door, wondering how he was going to keep this secret from Addie but thrilled to see her again. He was a conflicted mess inside. That had never happened to him before.

Addie pulled the wooden door open. Her smile was radiant. She unlatched the storm door and pushed it open. He caught and held it. She looked incredible in a red fitted dress that had long sleeves and fell to the floor.