Levi stowed Mia’s shopping bags in the trunk. He’d been waiting in the car, windows down, for over an hour. Not long considering all the bags she’d emerged with.
“Did you get everything you need?” he asked, opening the rear door for her. “The boutiques aren’t far from here.”
“I’m shopped out. But would you mind stopping at Barnes and Noble before we head back?”
“Of course not.” He got in the car, started it, and put the windows up. He turned the air conditioning to high and pulled from the parking space.
She’d been less friendly since he’d admitted he knew who she was. He guessed he couldn’t blame her. Being famous was probably a pain in the butt. A huge invasion of privacy.
Still, he felt the need to be congenial. He didn’t want her thinking poorly of the inn, after all. When she left he wanted her to recommend it to all her celebrity friends.
“I don’t know if you had a chance to see it, but we have a fully stocked library at the inn. Feel free to borrow anything you’d like.”
“Thank you.”
“What do you like to read?” he asked.
“Memoirs mostly.”
“I would’ve thought fiction since you’re in movies.”
“I like fiction too.”
He started to mention that Molly’s boyfriend was a famous author, but being a name-dropper probably wasn’t the best way to disarm her.
“So, why Bluebell?” he asked. “It’s not exactly on anyone’s list of best summer spots.”
She hesitated for just a moment. “Actually, my grandparents used to own the inn.”
Levi’s eyes sharpened on hers in the mirror. “The Bluebell Inn?”
“Yes. My mom grew up there.”
“Was your grandfather Governor Jennings?”
“No, he was Paul Livingston.”
Levi smiled. “Paul and Dorothy. They owned the inn from ’63 till ’86.”
Mia perked up. “You know of them?”
“Of course. They’re part of the inn’s history. Wait. I was always under the impression the Livingstons didn’t have children.”
“My mom was an only child. She left home at eighteen, and she was estranged from her family. My grandparents died before I was born, but I’ve always wanted to visit Bluebell.”
Estranged. Levi supposed that was why Dorothy had never mentioned her daughter in her journal. Too painful.
“Did you know your grandmother kept a journal? We have it in our library.”
She briefly met his gaze in the mirror, a spark of interest in her eyes. “What? Are you serious?”
It made him feel a little heady to feed that hungry look in her eyes. “Dead serious. I’ll pull it out for you.”
“I’d love that.”
A glance in the rearview mirror afforded him his first view of Mia’s smile.
He stopped at the bookstore, and she returned moments later with a small bag. Once in the car she pulled off her ball cap and ran her fingers through her hair.
The drive home was quiet. Mia was on her phone, texting someone. There might as well have been a glass partition between them for all the conversation they were having.
He gave a quiet sigh of relief when he finally pulled up to the inn. He helped her out and began removing the bags from the trunk.
“I can get those.”
“It’s no problem.”
They walked up the steps onto the porch, and Mia held the door open for him. Grace was behind the front desk, wielding a duster, and Molly was watering the peace lily just off the foyer. He happened to know both chores had been done the day before.
He scowled at his sisters as Mia closed the door.
“Hello,” Molly greeted Mia, her smile wide, her eyes a little too excited.
“Hi,” Mia said.
“Hi. We met earlier. I’m Grace, one of the owners.”
“I remember. Breakfast was great, thank you.”
“I’m Molly!”
Levi recognized that look. Take it down a notch or ten, Molly.
“Nice to meet you,” Mia said cautiously.
Molly was biting her lip, making her face twist in a weird way, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
He rolled his eyes at his sisters. “She knows we know.”
Molly slumped. “Oh, thank God.”
“And even if she hadn’t, she would’ve known now. You two are about as transparent as plastic wrap.”
“I’m such a fan!” Molly said. “Can I hug you? Man, you don’t even need makeup; you’re so gorgeous.”
“Um, thank you . . .” Mia graciously accepted Molly’s hug.
“You were so awesome in Into the Deep! Your hair’s really grown out.” Molly lifted the honey strands that flowed past Mia’s shoulder.
“Molly,” Levi chided.
“Hey,” Molly said, staring closely at Mia’s face. “You have green eyes, not blue like you did in the movie.”
“Contacts,” Mia said.
“Pardon my sister,” Grace said. “She means well.”
Levi cleared his throat. “So listen, Mia would like to maintain her privacy while here, so of course I assured her we’ll be very discreet.”
“Of course!” Molly said. “That’s part of our job. We won’t tell a soul, will we, Grace?”
“Not a single word,” Grace agreed.
“And really,” Molly said, “you look so different from the way you looked in the movie. Grace actually recognized your voice before your face.”
Mia’s eyes toggled between the three of them. “Um, thank you. I appreciate your discretion.”
For an actress she had a transparent face, and right now she seemed overwhelmed and not a little wary.
“Why don’t we get these bags upstairs?” Levi ushered Mia toward the steps.
“It was nice to meet you,” Mia said as she headed up.
“Our pleasure!” Molly said. “Really, it was great meeting you. And if there’s anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, just let us know!”
On the turn to the second floor Levi gave Molly a look. Chill out.
What? her look said.
He followed Mia up the stairs, hoping his overenthusiastic sister hadn’t completely scared her off. But he forgot about Molly soon enough as he got caught in the sweet waft of Mia’s perfume. He dragged in a breath. Man, she smelled like heaven. And those jeans . . .
He directed his gaze to the stairs. The plastic bags crinkled as they continued upward.
“Your sisters seem . . . nice,” Mia said as they reached the top.
“You really don’t have anything to worry about. I know Molly seemed a little excited to meet you, but she’s the soul of discretion.”
“Good to know.”
It was a throwaway statement. But he’d done everything he could to assure her. He got it. Actions spoke louder than words.
Mia glanced around the hallway. “Is this a slow time of year for you or something?”
“What do you mean?”
“I haven’t seen any other guests. Not that I’m complaining.”
Levi studied her as they neared her door. She didn’t know? “Um, you booked the whole inn.”
She stopped so suddenly he almost ran into her. “I what?”
Levi flinched. Her turd of a fiancé had obviously handled all the arrangements. He tried for diplomacy. “You have the inn all to yourself this week.”
Hurt flashed in her eyes as if she just remembered the broken engagement. But she quickly blinked it away and gave a wry laugh.
It sounded so jaded he had the absurd notion to pull her into his arms and comfort her. What kind of a jerk asked a girl to marry him, planned a honeymoon and a wedding, then dumped her?
“Well, I guess that works in my favor now, doesn’t it?” She unlocked the door and slipped inside, letting him pass. “Roses, champagne, flower petals, room service, chauffeur, and a rented-out inn. Any other little surprises I don’t know about?”
He gave her a dry grin. “I think that about covers it.”
“Thank you for your help. And the ride.”
“That’s my job. Let me know if you need anything. I can recommend some places for dinner if you’d like.”
“Thanks, but . . . I think I’d better just order takeout—assuming you have that here.”
“Of course. And I can intercept it at the front desk for you.”
“That would be great. Thank you. And if you wouldn’t mind, I think I’d rather come down in the mornings for breakfast.”
“No problem. I’ll let the others know.”
Somehow even after he left her room he couldn’t forget that flash of pain or the mocking tone she’d used to mask it. Mia Emerson was much more than a pretty face. She was a woman who’d been hurt. A woman with her guard up. He felt a sudden desire to tear down all those walls.
Then he gave his head a hard shake. He had quite enough people to take care of at the moment, thank you very much.
When he reached the main floor, Molly silently took his arm and dragged him through the living room into the dining room.
“Don’t you have something productive to do?” Levi asked. “Like helping Adam with his research?”
Once inside the dining room, Grace pushed the French doors closed.
“What is it now?” Levi asked.
“Shhhh!” Molly hissed.
Levi rolled his eyes. “Can we just handle this like mature adults, please?”
Grace lifted her index finger. “I’d just like to point out that the youngest one here is not the one who lost her cool with our celebrity guest.” She fixed Molly with a superior look.
“Duly noted.” Levi’s gaze drifted to Molly. “You’d never know you’re dating a famous author.”
“Hey, I really liked that movie!”
Grave waved off her words. “Back to the subject at hand . . . I have the lowdown on Mia, and I think you’re going to want to hear this.”
Molly glared at her sister. “She wouldn’t tell me until you got here.”
Levi gave Grace a tolerant look. “Please tell me you didn’t Google our guest again.”
“There’s a scandal, Levi. You know Jax Jordan from the spy series you like?”
He had the absurd urge to cover his ears. “I don’t want to hear any more.”
“You don’t want to hear why she came on her honeymoon alone? Why she had no luggage? Why she’s hiding out in Bluebell, North Carolina, where she literally knows not a single soul?”
“Those sites are just a bunch of gossip.” And yet, he couldn’t make himself simply turn and walk out of the room.
“There are pictures.” Grace withdrew her phone. “I have to say it’s pretty convincing.”
“Let me see,” Molly said.
“Our guests’ private lives are private.”
“We’re in a need-to-know situation here, Levi.” Grace handed the phone over to Molly.
She looked at the screen, wincing. “Yikes.”
Grace continued in a whisper. “There’s a new Hollywood scandal brewing, and Mia’s at the center of it. Everyone’s looking for her, and she’s here.”
“She’s right,” Molly said. “This looks pretty bad.”
Levi couldn’t take it anymore. “Give it here,” he said reluctantly.
Molly handed over the phone. He couldn’t miss the all-caps headline. The pictures below it made his gut tighten. There was Mia in the arms of Jax Jordan, in what seemed to be a very steamy kiss. He didn’t follow much when it came to Hollywood, but everyone knew Jax was married to Emma Taylor.
“She’s broken up Jemma!” Molly said.
Levi frowned. “Jemma?”
“Jax and Emma—Jemma,” Grace said. “You do live under a rock.”
“Couldn’t these just be photoshopped? I mean, otherwise, explain all the alien pictures I’ve seen at checkout counters.”
Levi wondered why he was so reluctant to believe the reports. Maybe he’d only just met Mia, but he didn’t want to believe she was capable of carrying on with a married man.
“There are too many pictures and too many reputable sites covering this,” Grace said. “They apparently aired it on Entertainment Tonight last night.”
Levi thought back over the twenty-four hours he’d known Mia. The look of vulnerability on her face when she’d checked in. The hint of tears in her puffy eyelids this morning. The guardedness and flicker of hurt in her eyes only moments ago. Maybe it wasn’t just the broken engagement. Maybe she was upset about having been caught in an adulterous affair. But she just didn’t strike him as a home wrecker.
“Well, I don’t believe it,” Levi said firmly.
Two pairs of eyes swung his direction and held there for a long moment.
All right, he could see why his adamant defense of Mia might be out of character. But she just didn’t seem the type. And for some reason she brought out all his protective instincts.
“Levi . . .” Grace said. “You don’t even know her.”
“Oh no.” Molly touched his arm. “Please don’t tell me you’re getting a crush on Mia Emerson.”
“Of course not.”
“I know we’ve been pestering you to date, but she’s a celebrity, Levi. Every man in America wants her, including Jax Jordan, apparently, and she’s in the middle of a huge scandal, not to mention fresh off a broken engagement.”
He shrugged off Molly’s hand. “Stop it. I don’t have a crush. Maybe I just want to believe the best about somebody. Ever think of that? She’s our guest. Our loyalties lie with her. Besides, she told me something today that you might be interested in . . .”
He waited until he had their attention.
“She’s the Livingstons’ granddaughter.”
“Paul and Dorothy Livingston?” Grace asked.
Molly was shaking her head. “They didn’t have any children.”
“They apparently had an estranged daughter—Mia’s mom. That’s why she wanted to come here on her honeymoon to begin with. She wanted to see where her family came from. So, for all kinds of reasons, we need to have her back while she’s here.”
“Well, you can believe her all you want,” Grace said. “But there’s a whole bunch of media who aren’t giving her the benefit of the doubt, and they’re not going to give up until they find her.”
Levi frowned. “Then we’ll just have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”