Page 27 of See You There

He didn’t know why, but suddenly he had the urge to goad her, to break past the cool shell she presented. “You’ve been questioned about being a witness hundreds of times?”

Dahlia’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t respond. Even though her expression stayed smooth, he felt a glimmer of satisfaction when he saw a muscle twitch in her jaw. Luke wondered what it would take to make her lose that composure.

A vision of auburn hair spread across his pillow, warm green eyes below him—Luke shook himself as his pants tightened uncomfortably,

What the hell am I doing? She’s a client!

Luke cleared his throat. “You’ll be great. I’ll be behind the camera just in case.”

Dahlia rolled her eyes at him and strode away to where Jeri was waiting impatiently. Luke stopped next to one of the large cameras and smiled at the man operating it. He stepped over the thick cables snaking along the ground. “I won’t be in the way here, right? I need to be in her eyeline.”

The camera operator pointed at a different camera. “You want to be by camera two.”

Luke moved into place. The interview started off with the normal friendly banter and innocuous questions. He was surprised by how Dahlia came alive under the lights. She was mesmerizing as she explained her role in the movie and how it was interesting working with her boyfriend. Luke watched as Dahlia’s expression eased from one friendly smile to the next. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was radiant, but something seemed… odd.

He couldn’t put his finger on what exactly bothered him. Then, in a flash, he realized what it was. The woman on the set didn’t seem to be the same person he had spoken to before. With him, she’d been mercurial—testy then haughty. With the hosts, she was all sparkling laughter and ease.

Was Dahlia acting for the morning hosts or with him? Either way, it was a little unsettling.

The female half of the show’s duo used Dahlia’s relationship with Chandler to segue to the robbery, and Luke’s ears perked up.

“We’resosorry Chandler couldn’t be here with us this morning.” She gave Dahlia a sympathetic smile, and her male co-host nodded in commiseration. “Of course, we hope Chandler heals quickly. It must have been a traumatic night for you.”

Dahlia’s thick lashes barely flickered. “It was a shock.”

“It was a private casino?” The male host pressed.

Luke scratched his ear.

“We were at a party,” Dahlia demurred. “No one had any idea what would happen.”

The woman shuddered. “It must have been terrifying for you, though? Armed intruders and then for the man you love to be shot trying to protect you!”

Luke’s face wrinkled in distaste, and even Dahlia’s face twitched at the woman’s barely veiled excitement. The host narrowed her eyes slightly when her words failed to get the reaction she’d hoped for from Dahlia. “I’m sure it’s all gossip… But rumor has it Chandler has a bit of a gambling problem…” She paused, obviously hoping Dahlia would fill the silence.

Luke was impressed that the only sign of discomfort Dahlia gave was a slight tightening of her mouth. Her eyes strayed to his, and Luke scratched his ear.

“I try not to listen to gossip. Chandler has always been a gentleman around me.”

“Well, you know what they say…” The woman arched a brow knowingly at Dahlia. “Sometimes it’s those closest to us we have the hardest time seeing clearly.”

“That’s very true.” Dahlia’s smile remained in place.

Realizing they weren’t getting anywhere with the topic, the hosts pivoted. “Lia, I have to tell you… We had a viewer reach out to us. He told our producers an extraordinary story about you!” The woman chuckled.

If Luke hadn’t been so attuned to Dahlia, watching for signs of distress, he would have missed the tightening of her spine, and her knuckles turning white in her lap.

“Oh?” Dahlia’s voice was a little breathier than before, and Luke straightened.What is she afraid of?

“Someone named Jace tweeted one of our producers.” The host laughed. “He said the two of you were taking photos whenthe whole thing happened! Jace is still hoping you’re going to send him those photos! He told our staff that he actually shielded you.”

Dahlia's shoulders relaxed. “Oh, yes. He was very brave when the men first broke in.” She cast a coy look at the hosts. “I’d be happy to send him the pictures.”

The female host arranged her face into a slightly incredulous expression. “Really? He says he's been reaching out to your management but can’t get in touch with you.”

“As I’m sure you can imagine, things have been chaotic over the last day. My worry over Chandler…” Dahlia’s voice trailed off.

Fake!As if someone had said it out loud, Luke heard the word in his mind. But her ploy worked, and the hosts readopted their previous sympathetic expressions. Luke rubbed a hand over his mouth to hide his smile. Dahlia was good.