Page 12 of Evidence of Secrets

“Spit it out.”

“Sooo, tell me about Hank.” There, she said it.

Sam’s mouth fell open, and her eyes crinkled at the edges. Was she going to laugh at her?

Laura was ready to say, “just kidding,” and she couldn’t stop the blush that crept down her face.

“Okay then. That wasn’t what I expected.” Sam took a sip of coffee and placed her cup down. “Hank’s been with me for a few years. He and Danny met in the Army. Hmmm, what else? He’s an outstanding employee and plays poker with the guys. I don’t know what else to tell you except I think he’s a ladies’ man. At least, that’s the rumor I’ve heard. Why are you asking?”

“Oh, I talked with him at the fundraiser. He seems nice.”

Sam choked on her coffee. “Nice? Don’t you mean he’s a hunk?”

“That would be shallow of me.”

Sam rolled her eyes.

“I’m sure you noticed Hank’s a good-looking, muscular man,” said Sam.

Yep, that was precisely what she thought. “Caught me.”

“Just because Mark and I are together doesn’t mean I don’t notice good-looking men,” said Sam.

“Although,” Laura added, “he seems nice and very interesting.”

“That’s what they all say,” said Sam with a twinkle in her eye. “Talk to Hailey. She knows Hank pretty well.”

“Thanks, I will.” Laura gathered up her purse. “I’ve got to get back to the bistro.”

Sam looked at her watch. “Yikes, I’m late for my meeting.”

They gave each other air kisses and left.

The rain held off, and Laura scurried down the sidewalk. She had soup to make and a man to pursue. Hopefully, both went according to plan. The soup she wasn’t concerned about. However, she’d never pursued a man before, but as her mother always said: “If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”

If Hank rejected her, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d stepped out of her comfort zone and been rebuffed.

CHAPTERTEN

Hank threw his car keys on the small table in the foyer. It was early evening, and he couldn’t wait to grab a beer, sit on his patio, and veg out—alone.

The day after the fundraiser, Hank started his new assignment, protecting a well-known actor. He hadn’t realized how exhausting looking for mansions with a narcissistic movie star who complained about everything could be. This house was too big. Another too small. This one is too shabby. Another was too far away from the beach. Too. Too. Too. It was all too much if you asked him. Besides, why did a single person need a fifteen-room mansion?

The Realtor had taken it all in stride, but her smile by the end of the day would have sunk ships. The movie star never noticed. And probably didn’t care. That was the problem with having too much money; people were expendable. Don’t like something, leave—money talks.

To top off the day, after they finished touring the last house, the actor asked Hank if he wanted to go out on the town and pick up women. Well, that was a big no. Hank wasn’t into drinking with clients, nor was he into fucking some groupie in a hotel room.

Crap, the Realtor had been standing right there with a red blush starting at her forehead and working its way down her chest. Fortunately, he could go home and shower the stench of entitlement off. Unfortunately for Danny, who was the night shift. He’d have to deal with that shit.

If the actor was disappointed, he said nothing. He just dismissed Hank like an unwanted bug, which was fine by him. He’d had enough rich phonies in his life to last a lifetime, starting with his father.

Tomorrow, he’d get up and go McMansion-hunting again and pray the whole time the jerk found what he was looking for and didn’t need a bodyguard anymore. While the real estate agent would get a huge fee, which would make her happy, Hank bet she would be ecstatic never to see the actor again, either.

Hank slugged back the beer and watched the activity around the Riverwalk.

He thought about the fundraiser the other night. He hadn’t hated it, which surprised him. Generally, Hank didn’t go for that type of affair. His father made him go to more than his share when he was growing up. Talking to Laura had been enjoyable. She was gorgeous, worked hard at her business, and made him laugh, which didn’t happen often. Too bad she was pulled away before he could ask her out for coffee or drinks. Hank shrugged. Nothing was stopping him now.

It was getting dark. Boats were coming into the marina for the night, the restaurants were busy, and Hank could hear voices and laughter. Scents of smoked hickory from the barbecue joint wafted over him. His mouth watered. Lunch was a while ago, and the actor was into juicing. That hadn’t been satisfying. His stomach rumbled. Hank knew what he was having for dinner. Plus, Hog Heaven delivered.

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