Page 22 of Broken Bodyguard

“I can’t spill my chef secrets,” I teased, enjoying the view I had of him inhaling my family recipe. He finished the plate in record time. “You must have worked out extra hard this morning. Hungry boy.”

“Hungry is an understatement.” He met my gaze, something challenging there. Better not to dive into that. I wanted to move to lighter conversation but couldn’t think past what I’d overheard him say on his phone call.

“So who were you talking to before? Sounded interesting.” I focused on my food so that maybe he wouldn’t be able to read any accidental emotions that might come through on my face.

“That was my newest employer. His name is Nash Nightingale, he called to square away some details for my first assignment. He and his twin brother run a massive real estate empire that’s only been growing over the past few years.”

“Is that why they’re taking you to Ecuador? To expand business or something?”

“It sounds like it, but to be honest with you, I have no idea.” Troy took a sip of his coffee. “Not my job to ask. I just need to be where they tell me.”

“You’re a good man to have around.” I finally dared to meet his gaze. His warm brown eyes pierced my heart. “Let me know if you ever need a recommendation, I’ll leave you a good Yelp review.”

He cracked a grin. “That’s sweet of you.”

Pleasant silence settled between us as I helped Grace cut some pieces of her toast and get them into her mouth. “So how long will you be gone?” This time, I made sure not to look his way at all, because I knew he’d see the real question behind my words:will I ever see you again?

“I don’t have a return ticket,” he said slowly, then took a sip of his coffee. “So, I guess that means—I have no idea.”

The corners of my mouth trembled as I struggled to keep an easygoing look on my face. I did not want him to see how crestfallen I felt on the inside. I didn’t even want to admit to myself how crestfallen I truly was. It just didn’t seem right to want a man so deeply, especially in these circumstances. No, it just soundedcrazy.

“Send me a postcard, okay?” I ventured a small smile. “I can show the kids at school, they’d think that was so cool.”

“Maybe I can come by with some stuff for Ecuador for a show-and-tell.”

“That would be cute.” The idea was genuinely touching. “But Louisville is so far out of your way. What a silly detour to make.”

“Not a silly detour if I get to see you.”

His words thudded between us, causing me to jerk my gaze up to meet his. His eyes looked hungry again. I took a quick bite of food, eager to distract myself with something.Anything.

“Besides, I need to see how Miss Maddie keeps her classroom,” Troy went on. He grinned down at Grace, ruffling her hair. “Have you seen your mommy’s classroom? Does she keep it as cute as she is?”

I couldn’t fight the grin.

“I bet you decorate for all the holidays.”

“You make it sound like an accusation,” I teased.

“It sort of is.”

“Well, you’re right.” I scrunched up my face at him. “I’m legally required to decorate for every holiday as an elementary teacher.”

He watched me with an easy grin, the kind that made it impossible not to sit there and drink him in.

“Toy, can we play outside today?” Grace’s innocent question cut through the desire building in the air between me and Troy.

Troy ripped his gaze off me, looking down at Grace. He pretended to think about it, then he said, “Yeah. I don’t think there’s anything I’d rather do.”

Once we were all finished with breakfast, Troy offered to clean up but I waved him off. “You have important things to do. Like playing outside and possibly a few bonus rounds of Twisty Monkey.”

“Shh.” He glanced back at Grace to see if she’d overheard. “That game makes me dizzy.”

“Three-year-olds only want to do the dizziest, most puke-inducing thing possible,” I informed him. “You’re gonna have to buck up. Surely your bodyguard training prepared you for this.”

“Nothing at boot camp prepared me for Twisty Monkey,” he said with a severe look.

Grace gasped loudly. “Did you say Twisty Monkey?”

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