Page 46 of A Little Bit Engaged
“His carrier is in the coat closet.” Cara sounded more like herself. “I’m going to need my laptop and something to wear for my interview tomorrow.”
Her interview. Brody had forgotten about that. Talk about bad timing.
“You can make a list of what you need.” Jackson glanced around. “Right now, it’s time to get you into the SUV.”
Less than two minutes later, they were on their way. Wherever that might be.
“I need to call my boss at the bookstore,” Cara said. “I’m supposed to go in after my interview.”
“None of the articles mentioned your place of employment,” Jackson said from the passenger seat. Lex was still driving. Rizzo had left in the other car with Kai.
“Well, that’s a relief.” Her tone matched her words. “I doubt Cassie would want a three-ring media circus camped out at the bookstore.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Brody asked.
“No, but thanks.” She handed him her phone. “Read this message.”
He read her mom’s text in disbelief, and then Cara brought up another from her dad.
Brody swore. No wonder she was so sad at the Bay View House.
“This has to stop.” He couldn’t call Caitlin, so he typed a text.
Cara covered his hand with hers. She tilted her head toward the two men in the front seat. “Not now.”
Brody didn’t want to upset her, so he put away his phone. Doing that made him feel useless. He didn’t mind taking care of the O’Neal sisters, but this was beyond him now. Caitlin wasn’t thinking straight. Each time she spoke to the media, she put him and Cara into a worse position. Not even a security team could protect Cara from her sister’s lies.
Caitlin’s actions made him question her motives. The way Cara had from the beginning. He’d been too stupid to listen, but now…
Caitlin was no longer acting like a person wracked by anxiety and in a panic. This was a carefully orchestrated PR campaign to destroy her twin sister in order to save her reputation and movie opening. It was wrong on so many levels. Brody had a tough time comprehending what she’d done.
But he knew one thing.
The person being interviewed and spouting these lies was different from the woman who’d worked to make them stars. She was someone unrecognizable to the Caitlin he’d grown up with and loved.
Was this desperation? Love for Alek? A cry for help?
Something more had to be going on with Caitlin, but what? And what would it mean for Cara?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
With tentative steps, Cara entered the apartment on Nob Hill where she and Brody would stay until the media and fan frenzy was under control. The gas fireplace and designer décor gave the space a welcoming feel, but she wanted to go home. She preferred to read about stuff like this in her books, not live it. But her life seemed complete fiction now with her fake fiancé and a make-believe pregnancy.
Of course, Caitlin still hadn’t replied to the text. Nor had their parents contacted Cara. Which meant her family situation hadn’t changed the way she hoped it would. She would have to be patient, even if doing so was killing her.
Rizzo flicked on the lights before opening the blinds.
Jackson set the box of food from the Bay View House on the dining room table. “You’ll be eating well.”
“Good, because I’m hungry,” Brody said.
Cara had no appetite. Her stomach hurt from the stress of their charade and Loki being alone at the condo. She wanted Caitlin to make good on her promise. Cara also wanted her cat safe and sound with her. “I should probably mention that Loki gets carsick.”
“We’ll skip Lombard Street then.” Rizzo’s lighthearted tone and casual pose against the wall didn’t hide the way his sharp gaze watched the door. “Those curves are killer.”
She appreciated his sense of humor. After she’d thrown up at the Bay View House, he’d handed her a wet rag and told her getting sick without drinking all night wasn’t fair. She’d agreed with him even though more than two drinks put her to sleep.
Not that she’d been thinking that then. No, she’d been struggling not to fall to the floor and curl into a ball. But Rizzo, someone she’d only met last night, hadn’t let her collapse. He’d held her up and led her back to the dress salon.
