Page 77 of Truly

“Castelli.”

“Hey, Troy. It’s Laina.”

“What can I do for you?”

I smile. “For one, you can stop hiding in the woods like Rambo.”

He wants to laugh but restrains himself.

“For two, I know this isn’t your job, but I feel like you owe me since you basically stalked me for the past twelve days and got my boyfriend to lie to me.”

“I didn’t ask him to lie, Ms. Kelley.”

“You can play word games all you want, Mr. Castelli, but you made him omit the truth to me, which is lying.”

“If you say so.”

I laugh. “The next time you’re working on my security detail, and I’m in Nashville, I’m going to go on the longest run ever just so you have to follow me.”

“That’s great, except that you don’t run, and I do,” he says. “I’m not sure what your point is.”

“Damn. You actually like running?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What do you hate?” I ask.

“Conversations like this, mostly.”

“I’m going to hire someone to spy on you and learn all the things you hate to eat and do and hear,” I say. “Then I’m going to torture you with all of it as payback.”

“Sounds fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Asshole.”

I can hear his smile on the other end of the line.

“Anyway,” I say. “I’m getting ready to fire my assistant, so I don’t have anyone to call. Can you please arrange for the jet to pick me up tomorrow night and have the Nashville house ready to roll?”

“I suppose.”

“Don’t trip over yourself to help me out,” I say, laughing.

“I’m scrambling. You just can’t see me.”

“Maybe if I peer through the trees, I can spot you.”

“Are we done here?” he asks. “I have calls to make.”

I sigh heavily. “Fine. After I get my life sorted, we’re sorting yours, Mr. Castelli.”

“What makes you think mine’s not already sorted?”

“A hunch.”

“I’ll call you with travel arrangements,” he says.

“Or just come on up to the house since you’re already here.”