Page 63 of Hide and Keep

“One coat, got it. Any accessories?” Thierry asks me.

“He doesn’t need any.”

“Agreed. However, a watch will make a nice point of interest while still giving an air of nonchalance.”

“I have a watch,” Crue argues.

Ignoring him, and that ugly thing on his wrist, I tell Thierry, “He’ll need two. One for casual, one for formal.”

“I’ll go pull some options.”

Thierry lingers a moment longer before disappearing from my periphery.

“You’re insane,” Crue says with a scan down his outfit.

“You’re worth it.”

He stops his perusal to look up at me, his eyebrows knitted together.

“Were you… Did you…” He shakes his head. “You didn’t go to Hide and Keep…did you?”

The line snaps, causing reality to come crashing down over me, and I stumble forward a step. That was stupid. So fucking stupid.

I give my own head a shake. “Hide and what?”

“Hide and Keep. You know, the thing down at Knot’s Family Corn Maze, where they give it over to college kids after Halloween, basically so they can fuck whoever they want while wearing a costume.”

“Sounds desperate. You went to it?”

“Not exactly. I worked security at it.”

Did you keep anyone?I yearn to ask because I have no idea what happened after I left. He could’ve.

Instead, I force a chuckle. “Goddess, look how far you’ve come.” I gesture at him, then me. “Now you’re Ever Munreaux’s bodyguard.”

After a long pause, he scoffs, saying, “Personal protection agent.”

“Whatever title you use,Major…”

Shaking his head at the nickname, he turns around to face the mirror, a small grin curving his lips.

“You represent the Munreauxs now. And with that, comes the expectation to be your best at all times.”

“What if I don’t know what my best is yet?” he asks while tugging on his sleeve.

“Then do what I do and settle for looking it.”

His eyes once again find mine in the reflection.

That was stupid, too. Or genius, if it lowered his defenses a little more.

“Well, at least you’re succeeding at that.”

“So you did notice?” I whisper, making us both laugh.

Crue’s the first to sober, saying seriously, “I’d have to be dead not to.”

Everyone assumes it’s credentials that open doors, and while they do most of the time, looks and charm can get you just as far, sometimes farther. Now that Crue has all three, he could get hired anywhere after this.

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