Page 82 of Noel Secrets

Her blue eyes lit up, and she grinned. “Are you serious?”

“I am.”

For him, that was on level with declaring his undying love. Was he in the wrong, or listening to her sister and doing exactly what he should do? Daphne believed if he and Addie grew closer it would all work out when she found out the truth. Her sister knew her better than him. He prayed he was listening to the right voices because his internal compass was telling him to blurt the truth to Addie, and quick.

“I think we could order Disney shirts and escalate the level of cheesy and silly.”

He chuckled and pulled open the front door. “I’ll look forward to that.”

Would he really wear a Disney shirt for Addie?

Yes.

Was it time to tell her the truth?

He thought so.

But he’d better talk to Daphne first.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked, leaning against the door frame and staring up at him.

“Plan on it.”

She grabbed his shirt and tugged him down. He shouldn’t keep kissing her. Not until she knew the truth. But she arched up and kissed him, decimating any resistance or worries with her sweet lips.

Many minutes later, he forced himself to pull back. “Night.”

“Goodnight.”

She stepped back as he pushed through the storm door, wishing he’d brought a coat as he braved the cold, dark night. It felt especially cold to be away from Addie’s warm kisses. He turned back. She was standing in the doorway.

“Deadbolt that door,” he instructed.

“Yes, sir, oh Captain my captain.” She saluted.

He laughed. She was … the brightest light around, and he was the happiest he’d ever been.

She pulled the storm door closed and latched it, then shut the front door.

Price felt warm all over, despite the night air.

Could he really have found someone as great as Addie? Hopefully Travis would reveal his source and this job could be done so Daphne could tell Addie she’d hired him. Would Addie really place the blame on her sister? He didn’t want anyone to take the blame for him, but he also didn’t want Addie upset with him. He didn’t want to lose the trust and relationship they were building.

Price entered his small bungalow. It was chilly. He turned up the heat, but it didn’t work great. He paced in the small living area, trying to riddle out the mess he was in. He wanted Addiein his life, but he was her protector. He’d let down his guard because of Daphne’s instructions. Was that smart? Addie had been hurt by other men. What if he hurt her?

That was a gut punch and exactly what he couldn’t resolve. He hated lying to her and couldn’t stand the thought of damaging her trust.

He changed into sweats. A run should clear his head, even if it couldn’t fix the muddle he was in. He ran past Addie’s house. It was dark. She was sleeping, which he should be doing. Maybe after his run he would be able to settle down and rest.

Price pounded along the beach for several miles, the soft sand making the run more difficult. He appreciated that at the moment. Difficult made it harder to think. He didn’t want to think about the lies and his moral dilemma. All he wanted to think about was Addie’s softness in his arms, the sweet taste of her on his lips.

He turned and headed back toward his rental and Addie’s house, his legs flying despite the sand trying to hold onto his foot with each step. He stopped to catch his breath in front of a beach house all lit up for Christmas.

A buzz on his phone told him one of his sensors had been tripped.

He pulled out the phone. Uneasiness tickled at his neck. The sensor behind Addie’s house had detected movement. It could be an animal, but there weren’t many scampering around in the wintertime. He started walking quickly toward Addie’s house. Clicking on the cameras he had set up, he squinted at the screen. There was movement, and a dark shadow moved away even as he watched.

Who was that? What were they doing? Thankfully they were moving away from the house, not toward it.