Page 60 of Trust My Bodyguard

But his eyes meet mine, something vulnerable pushing past his mask of indifference to nip at me. “I know.”

“I won’t be seeing you again.”

“I know.”

My jaw trembles.Say something. “Well, it was fun while it lasted, right?” I try to sound light-hearted but manage to sound broken instead.

Brody’s jaw works as he looks away from me. “Let’s not keep Crams and Iris waiting out in the cold.” He grips the box handle gingerly and leads the way out of the cabin.

I stop at the door and run my eyes over the space. Despite our short stay, this cabin holds so many memories already. Memories I won’t be forgetting easily. I shut the door behind me and exhale.

That’s in the past now. I have to move on.

Iris is already in the back and Crams is in the driver’s seat. Brody holds the passenger door open for me.

I let go of my feelings—or try to—and give him a small smile. “Say thank you to everyone for me. Especially Cliff.”

He nods. “Stay safe, Ivy.”

My gaze lingers on him as I commit this moment to memory. “And yourself.”

The car door slams shut, enclosing me with Iris.

“Ready?” Crams meets my eyes in the rearview mirror.

“Ready,” I echo.

The engine roars to life and the car starts to move. All my built-up bravado begins to crumble.

I twist in my seat and look out the window. Brody stands in the cold in only a T-shirt and trousers, arms folded across his chest, face severe. He looks in our general direction but doesn’t look at me.

Crams lifts a hand to wave goodbye. He returns it sharply, and then he turns around and walks back inside. Even before we’ve rounded the bend he’s gone from sight.

I sit forward and draw in deep breaths while looking out at the passing terrain. This is good for me, for us. Where was that going anyway? Iris can't live out her days in a cabin on a picturesque resort, hiding from her fans. I have my life to get back to. My job. My cases.

I press my lips together to ease their trembling. I’m being ridiculous. Brody would have many more clients. Maybe some he would connect with like we did. And I’ll have...

I glance sideways. My sister’s eyes bore a hole straight through my temple. Her brows are furrowed, and her lips are pursed.

“What?” I chuckle but it comes out like a cough instead.

“I have cough drops in case you need them.” Crams rattles a bottle up front.

“No. I’m fine.” I eye Iris.

I’m fine. Maybe not right now but I’m getting there. I still need to understand the weird feelings bouncing around in my chest.

If I think about it right now, I’ll even create more reasons for Iris to be concerned. So I push the thoughts of Brody and Pine Peaks to the back of my mind as we leave.

Denver and the future is our focus.

“So, what do you want to do once we get back?” I glance over at my sister. “Have you thought about it?”

She sighs, sticking her hands between her knees. “I have thought about it, but I haven’t really come up with anything. Whatever it is, I know for a fact that I don’t want it to be in a place where I’d run into too many people.”

My mind works to bring up a thousand and one suggestions of an interim career she can pursue. We debate over them, considering some while throwing the others out. It’s enough to make me stop thinking about Brody. But the weight on my chest lingers still. And I know ignoring it will only work so long.

Brody has stamped himself on my heart whether I accept it or not. Forgetting him will be a task I will probably never excel at.

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