Guarding Sophie Read Online Free PDF

Nobody’s looking for me here.” He touched his glass against hers and grinned. “Let’s enjoy the anonymity.”
    Less than a minute later, a teenager wearing a Seattle Sharks T-shirt and black board shorts approached their table. “Aren’t you Kyle Carlson?” he said. “Will you sign my hat?” He whipped off the ball cap he was wearing and held it out to Kyle.
    Sophie had to laugh at the astounded look on Kyle’s face. “So much for the sunglasses and ball cap disguise,” she murmured to him.
    â€œSure,” Kyle said to the kid. “Let me find a pen.” He searched his pockets in vain while Sophie reached into her purse and grabbed out a ballpoint pen.
    â€œThis might work,” she said and passed it across the table.
    Kyle signed the teen’s ball cap, told him (and the three kids who quickly lined up for autographs behind him) that he was passing through town on his way to Spokane, and gave Sophie her pen back. “It was great meeting you guys, but we have to go,” he said. He reached out for Sophie’s elbow and helped her to her feet. “See you around,” he told them.
    â€œGo Sharks,” one of the teens said.
    â€œTell Reed not to retire yet. We need to win a few more championships first,” another teen said.
    â€œI’ll be sure and do that,” Kyle said. “He’ll love it.”
    â€œWell, my secret’s out,” he said in a low voice. He waited until the teens walked out of the coffee shop. “Are you hungry yet? Let’s go grab a bite somewhere else.”
    K YLE TURNED ONTO Noel’s Main Street. Sophie glanced up at the banner suspended overhead advertising Santa Claus’s appearance at the annual Noel Easter Egg Roll in a couple of weeks. Portraying Santa Claus must be a full-time job in this place. Maybe it was like Vegas and Elvis impersonators: one on every corner.
    â€œDoes that happen to you often?” she said.
    â€œWhat do you mean? Seeing someone I know at the coffee shop? I knew Michael lived here, but I didn’t know he got a part-time job. Collins is going to lose it. Michael still has to take his finals in a month or so. He should be studying—” Kyle pulled off the road and into Noel’s gas station.
    â€œWho’s Collins? And I was actually wondering about your getting recognized by people.”
    â€œDerrick Collins is a big defensive tackle. Everyone comes up to him when he’s out in public. He’s a huge pain in the ass, but I love him.” Kyle grinned at her. “And the only reason why those kids recognized me is because they’re superfans. I walk around all the time, and nobody cares. Nobody recognizes me with my helmet off.”
    â€œIs Michael going to tell all his friends that you’re here?” She wanted to ask Kyle if Michael was going to tell other people that she was here, but it seemed a bit paranoid. She was willing to bet that Michael and his friends were less than interested in anything she was doing. They’d want to talk to Kyle.
    â€œHell no. He knows better. We’d never get a minute’s peace.” He shut the ignition off and opened the car door. “I’ll be right back.”
    She had a few minutes to think while Kyle filled his gas tank. She wanted to spend some more time with him, but she wondered if she should tell him how bad it got before she left Cocoa Beach. He might not want to hang around with her after he knew, and she wouldn’t blame him.
    He got back into the driver’s seat and pushed the button to start the car. “So, I meant it about a bite. I’m kind of hungry. What do you feel like eating?”
    â€œI’ve been to the bakery. Their sandwiches are really good. They make a quiche of the day that’s delicious,” she said.
    He shook his head as he turned out of the gas station. “Maybe we should get some hot food.”
    â€œI