After her father's tragic passing, Nora Davis is forced behind the scenes, nothing more than a stepping stone for others in their journey to stardom. When an opportunity presents itself, Nora, trapped under her stepmother's heel, takes it as her cha...
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"Adventure" to Eli Leonger meant a trip to the grocery store. Nora tried not to laugh as the two of them approached the automatic doors of Grammon's, a brightly lit, higher-end general store near their school.
Eli's bodyguard Markos went in first, casually, with the other guard closing up the rear. They were both dressed in the simple day clothes they wore while Eli was in school—pullover sweaters and jeans. Eli said it was to keep them more hidden. People had a tendency to react when they saw men out in suits, as it meant they were in business, or they were near someone important.
"Is it a good idea to go to a place like this?" She felt compelled to ask.
Eli frowned down at her as they stepped indoors, the doors sliding open with a soft whoosh. "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"
"People might recognize you?"
Eli shrugged. "We've got backup," he pointed a thumb at the bodyguard behind them. "Plus, all the teenagers are in school, so..."
He had a point.
That being said, Nora watched him pull the bill of his red baseball cap down lower. When he noticed her staring, he reached into the depths of the large inside pocket of his navy coat and pulled out a familiar gray beanie.
Nora laughed, "you always carry two hats?"
He snorted. "Maybe." He stopped and put the beanie on her head. His smell—a wash of soap and the hint of spice from cologne—hit her. "There, now we're both incognito."
Although she kept telling herself they were just friends, she still found herself reacting. Her cheeks flushed. He was so close to her that she could easily reach forward and touch. Her pulse skyrocketed.
Eli stared down at her and fixed the hat, then adjusted a strand of her caramel hair around her glasses. Nora froze.
Eli stared intently at her, something in his expression softening...and then he cleared his throat. "Ice cream is in order."
He strolled off, his gait steady. Confident.
Nora blew out a breath and followed him. Her school sneakers squeaked against the white tiled floor. Maybe she ought to point out that their school uniforms threw the entire "incognito" thing out the window. Oh well.
"You might have an ice cream addiction," she told him as she followed in his wake.
Eli found the frozen food aisles quickly. Fast enough that she knew this wasn't his first time here. He plucked a big tub of chocolate chunk from behind one of the frosted doors.
Ice cream acquired, the two of them wandered down the toy aisle, joking and laughing at all the colorful children's toys. Eli went down the aisle for all the baby toys - simply designed yet brightly colored playthings - and hit the buttons on all the ones he could find that made noise.
