Page 36 of The Bodyguard Situation

“Your real smile.”

Her gaze softens further, and she nudges my shoulder with hers. “What am I going to do with you, Brody Calloway? I think I might keep you all to myself, just like this.”

I try to hold back a smile but fail. The admission settles heavily between us. I don’t move away as she snuggles into me. The firelight flickers over us, and for once, I don’t question the closeness. For once, I allow myself to enjoy it.

An hour later, we’re fully invested in an episode ofTheX Files. The eerie music during a dramatic scene bounces off the cabin walls. The scene grows suspenseful.

“Ah!” I say, jump-scaring her.

“Fuck!” she screams, then playfully smacks me. “I used to hate it when you did that.”

Harper scowls at me, and I’m unable to suppress my grin.

“You and Billie would scream so loud that my fucking ears would ring.”

“You deserved it,” she says. Her head rests back on my shoulder. “One time, I peed myself because you’d scared me so bad.”

“Aww. I’m sorry,” I say, but I’m sincere. “I didn’t mean to go that far.”

“It’s okay. I got you back.”

I tilt my head. “How?”

“I stole a pair of your military jogging pants.”

I shake my head. “The gray ones with the super-soft inside that sayUSMCon the thigh?”

She nods. “One time when you were home, Billie and I snuck into your room and dug through your shit.”

“How dare you! I always wondered where those had gone,” I say teasingly, but it warms my heart that she took them.

She smiles. “I still have them. They’re tucked in one of my drawers at my place. More comfortable than they were back then.”

“After all this time?” I ask, realizing the fifteen-year-old mystery of what happened to those has been solved. “Guess that will no longer keep me up at night.”

I glance back at the TV, but Harper pulls my attention back to her.

“Years ago, I had a boyfriend break up with me because I’d refused to get rid of them. Was also accused of fucking around with a Marine over it. Was really good times. It was kinda how I determined if someone was a red flag or not.”

My brow lifts. “My stolen clothes ended one of your relationships?”

“Actually … it was kinda how I determined all of my relationships. If the guy I was with became insecure over old joggers, I couldn’t be with them.Major red flag.”

“How many relationships are we talking about?” I ask.

“Five,” she mutters.

I don’t know what to say. “You’re welcome?”

“Saved me a lot of trouble, to be honest. So, a thank-you is totally in order. Thanks.”

I smirk, knowing I need to get a grip as I sink deeper into the worn cushions of the couch. We fall into silence, watching TV together. It’s slow and easygoing, and my eyes grow heavy because I’m so fucking comfortable with her. I try to keep them open, but sleep takes me under, and I drift away.

I don’t know how long I’m out; I only wake when I feel Harper’s arm slung over my stomach as we hold each other tightly, like the other might disappear. I try to steady my breathing, realizing only two hours have passed. She stirs and sits up, pulling away as she realizes how close we are. I immediately feel the loss of her touch.

“I fell asleep,” she says. Her hair is pushed up on the side. With a barely awake sleepy face, she looks adorable.

“Sleeping Beauty is awake,” I say, knowing she’s always loved her naps.

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