Chapter 23

He dropped Connie off first. She lived closer to the theater than Jane. He parked at the curb and walked her to her door, his hands in his pockets as he kept a pace behind.

She paused before slipping her key in the lock.

“Billy Wilder was asking why you were gone so long in the middle of the movie.” Her tone was neutral, but the sideways shift of her eyes said enough. “I told him I spilled my soda on you, and you were cleaning it up.”

His cheeks colored. He’d hoped his absence wouldn’t be noted. He owed Connie big for covering for him.

“Thanks,” he said, and prayed she heard how sincerely he meant it. He waited until she’d opened the door before grabbing its edge and holding it for her. “You really did look beautiful tonight, you know.”

Connie flashed a brilliant smile. “As long as the photos look good, that’s all that matters.”

“With you in them? They can’t go wrong.”