Page 61 of The Bodyguard Affair

A pause. “Okay, maybe I’d prefer you to at least text me first and say you’re going to call. Unless it really is an emergency.”

“I can definitely do that.”

“So what’s up?” she asks, tone back to soft and casual.

“I was wondering if you had any plans today.” The moment the words leave my lips, I squeeze my eyes shut, regretting my entire life.

“I was planning to write, but turns out, I have to work.” I don’t want to make assumptions, but she sounds a bit stressed.

“Gretchen’s got you working on a Saturday?”

A sigh. “She’s writing a vegan cookbook and asked me to batch-test eight different cookie recipes. A dozen each. I’m at home at least, but it’s a little overwhelming.”

I cough. “Eight types of vegan cookies? Holy shit.”

“Yup. Vegan oatmeal raisin, vegan matcha, vegan lemon crinkle, to name a few.”

A snicker escapes me. “Oatmeal raisin, huh?”

“Hey, those are actually my favorite.”

“That tracks. With the allsorts.”

She laughs. “In my defense, they’re amazing and soft and chewy. Though I’m not overly optimistic about gluten-free, eggless cookies. Anyway, sorry if I sound a little off. She sprang it on me this afternoon and I don’t bake and—”

“I’ll help,” I cut in. “Not that I’m any good at baking, either. But I can follow instructions. Measure ingredients.”

Another pause. “Nolan, are you actually offering to help me bake vegan cookies on a Saturday?”

“Yes.” A resounding yes.

“You don’t have other plans?” she asks skeptically.

“Well, I was watchingCoronation Streetwith my mom. But she got annoyed with my questions and said I should be hanging out with my girlfriend. I basically got kicked out.”

“So you’re saying even your mom didn’t want to hang out with you?”

“She did not. Pretty dismal, actually.”

“A little bit. But if you’re serious about helping, I’m heading to Peevey’s in half an hour to get ingredients. Hopefully they have them. Do you think they’ll have tapioca starch?”

“I have no idea what that is,” I admit. “But if you need that amount of ingredients, I’d say our best bet is to start at Costco.”

“Costco,” she repeats. “Don’t you need a membership to shop there?”

“It’s your lucky day. I have one—well, my sister has a family membership.” I never used to be a Costco shopper, but there’s one just down the road, which is convenient. “I’ll pick you up in exactly half an hour.”

Chapter 26

Andi

Nolan stays true to his word and picks me up half an hour later, on the dot, which is sexier than it has any right to be. Why am I getting so hot and bothered by a man who abides by a strict schedule? My standards are devastatingly low.

When he rolls up in a champagne-colored PT Cruiser, he has to honk the horn and wave me down through the crack in the window before I recognize him.

“Sorry! I didn’t realize it was you.” I inhale a potent cloud of floral perfume as I slide into the passenger seat. An Alanis Morissette song is playing faintly on the radio.

“Didn’t expect me to show up with these wheels?” He pats the dashboard affectionately, as though it’s his trusty golden retriever, and flashes me a blindingly adorable smirk. I promptly shift my gaze for my safety. Maybe hanging out with him today was a bad idea. Maybe I’d said yes a little too hastily, without fully thinking it through.