Page 47 of Fool Me Twice

There, a wrought-iron gate blocked entrance to the drive. Juliana pulled the car as close to the gate as possible, and we gazed at the mansion behind a tall row of hedges.

“This is the place?” I checked the address on the gate.

Juliana rolled down her window, and the intercom on the gate crackled to life.

“Georgia Cormack,” Juliana said into it.

There was a buzz, and the gates swung open. A security guard came out of a small stand and nodded at us.

We waved back, trying our best to hide our amazement.

“He has personal security,” I said in awe.

She chuckled. “Didn’t he tell you his home wasnothing special?”

“Something like that.”

At the end of the drive, Juliana parked in front of the white, modern-looking house. Massive windows covered at least half of the walls, and around the corner I caught sight of a sparkling swimming pool.

Getting from the car, I grabbed my suitcase and swallowed against a lump in my throat. To say I felt intimidated would be an understatement.

“No way does he take care of this place himself.” I shook my head. “How many staff do you think he has?”

One half of the large double doors opened, and I straightened up. “Hold on. Don’t answer that.”

Rodrigo trotted down the steps, looking fresh in a white T-shirt and shorts. “Georgia.”

As he embraced me, I caught a whiff of his soap. He’d definitely just come out of the shower, and something about him being so clean sent a rush of warmth through me.

Drawing back, I composed myself. “How are you?”

“I’m well.” He turned his attention to my personal driver. “Hello, Juliana. Good to see you again.”

“You as well.” She pressed her lips together in a poor attempt to not smile.

Rodrigo took my bag. “Would you like to come in for a drink?”

Juliana waved it away. “I have to pick my kids up. Perhaps another time.”

“Thank you for the ride.” I kissed her cheek, and she squeezed my shoulder.

“Any time,” she said. “Call me when Rodrigo lets you take an evening off, and we’ll hit the town.”

“I will not be working her that hard,” Rodrigo laughed.

With a wiggling of her fingers, Juliana drove off.

“Well.” Rodrigo looked at me.

“Well.” I looked back at him, feeling awkward about having arms for the first time since probably kindergarten. I swung them at my sides, then realized I probably looked silly and folded them across my chest.

“Please. Come inside.” He held open the door for me.

“Thank you.”

We entered a foyer with a wooden floor and oil paintings on the walls. Several doors branched off on each side, and a staircase led the way to the second floor.

“Georgia!” a high-pitched voice shrieked.