Page 49 of The Kissing Part
12
Owen
It’s really over. Shayla’s new bodyguard, Zander, started Friday morning, and I gotta say the guy seems like a good fit. He’s a blackbelt, as well as a Marine veteran, and previously worked for a major pop star. And there’s no worry with him living with four women since he informed us that he’s getting married next New Year’s Eve and will require a week off for the honeymoon with his husband in St. Bart’s.
Not that I worried about Shayla getting involved with her bodyguard. She’s all about separating the professional and the personal now. That’s what she’s told me about a hundred times this week, like some damn shield between us. I get it. It’s what I wanted all along. Seriously, how many times do I have to get hurt by her?
I pace the downstairs of my house—living room, kitchen, dining room. Fortunately, I had my colonial-style house renovated, so it’s an open floor plan, leaving lots of room for pacing.
What’s Shayla doing right now? Is Zander paying attention to the little things? People in the neighborhood, unusual cars. He doesn’t know the people in town. How would he know if someone didn’t belong? This is why an insider is helpful, someone who knows Clover Park.
Why did she have to move to my town? Was it to get to me, or does she just want me for my family?
I stop pacing and send a quick text to Zander to check in.
Zander:All clear.
Well, I guess that’s good. No issues. But is she at home, or is she on the move?
I go to ask Zander and put my phone away. I don’t need to know.
* * *
The next day, I ring the bell at the home currently occupied by my cousin and sister and other people I don’t need to worry about anymore.
An eye peers through the peephole, and then Mackenzie opens the door.
“Zander should be answering the door,” I say. “Where is he?”
“Can’t help yourself, can you? I answered because you said you wanted to talk to me about the office party.”
“Where are they?”
“Relax. They stopped by Happy Endings so he could scope it out before the party tonight.”
“Who’s watching Shayla while Zander’s scoping out the place?”
“Dad’s there.”
I relax marginally only because Uncle Josh is trained in hand-to-hand combat and has kept up his skills with krav maga. We talked about krav maga when I started studying it.
“What about the party did you want to talk about?” Mackenzie asks, stepping back for me to walk inside.
I step into the front room. “Who RSVP’d yes?”
“All the important people. I’m getting iced green tea. Want some?”
“No, thanks.”
She heads to the kitchen.
I look at the sofa bed where I previously stayed. There’s a green blanket folded in a neat square and a pillow there. It’s strange to think how easily I was replaced.
I join Mackenzie in the kitchen. “I don’t think Shayla ever really needed me professionally at all.”
Mackenzie leans back against the counter. “I think she did. She needed to feel safe, and that’s exactly how you made her feel. And it sure didn’t hurt our bottom line to be on her payroll for three weeks.”
I grunt. “Who else will be there tonight?”
