Page 8 of The Kissing Part
“Part of the territory. I just want to feel safe again.” I hesitate, tempted to ask him to move in with me for the six weeks I’m here, knowing it’s never going to happen. “Are you still a paparazzi favorite?”
“They’ve sort of lost interest in me and my siblings since we grew up. Besides, there’s bigger, younger stars than Mom now to follow.”
“Not bigger, just younger. She’s still got a long career ahead of her, one of those rare female actors who keep getting roles their whole lives. She’s the epitome of aging gracefully. I aspire to do the same.”
“You’re twenty-five. Are you telling me you seriously think about aging gracefully?”
“Hello? It’s part of the business. Women age out of roles quickly. They always want the next pretty young thing.”
“That’s—never mind. Back to your security needs.”
“No, wait. What were you going to say?”
He taps the table. “Let’s stay on track. Tomorrow I’ll send Nathan to scope out your suite, and then we’ll figure out the best way to secure it.”
“Do you think it’s horrible that women age out quickly? That maybe I’m already past my prime?”
He leans forward. “How can you even think that? I was going to say that’s not something you need to worry about.”
I hide a smile behind my mug of tea. Hope dances in my heart. “Owen, I really appreciate you taking this on. I know you’re busy.”
“Of course. So, like I said, Nathan will scope out the place with you tomorrow. What time is good for you?”
“I wantyou.”
He looks just past my shoulder. “Nathan knows the ropes.”
“Nathan tossed me and Harper in the pool.”
He straightens and looks me in the eye. “That was years ago. He was just horsing around. Don’t you know when a guy throws you into the pool, it means he likes you?”
“He threw both of us. Besides, he knew I was with you.”Oops. I wasn’t planning on touching on our past so soon. “He and Harper fought like cats and dogs. He was just being a jerk.”
He scrubs a hand over his beard. “Once we’ve added security to your place, we’ll need to find a bodyguard to stay with you. If we find someone you’re comfortable with, they could take one of the bedrooms. That’s better than a floor below. From what you describe, it sounds like Matt’s getting bolder in his attempts to get to you.”
“Whoever I hire, I’d have to trust them with my life.”
“Of course.”
“And they need to pass the vibe check. The last guy, something felt off. I guess it was lucky he got a better gig and quit. I never felt comfortable with him.”
“Naturally. A vibe,” he says drily.
“And of course I’d pay them triple their going rate because they would absolutely be worth having peace of mind. That would be helpful to any small security firm.”
Our gazes collide as he suddenly realizes I’m talking about him.
“I don’t want your money,” he says.
“I’d only be paying what my peace of mind is worth.”
“Frankie can live with you. And I’ll tell Mom to ask Frank to go out with her.”
“Frank’s old.”
“He’s in his sixties, but he’s still fit. He taught me everything I know about street fighting and weapons.”
“Did he teach Nathan the same thing?”
