Page 32 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

Mostly, I just want to observe more of the townsfolk, this time out in the open. When he nods, I can’t help the excitement that jumps out, and I can barely contain myself as we get into his truck and drive to the diner.

It’s kind of empty when we get there, but I can already smell the food wafting from the kitchen and it makes my mouth water. Christian reads my expression and smirks in amusement. “What do you want to have?”

“The special. Anything. With dessert, please.”

“Okay. Just stay here. I’ll order for us.”

As soon as I settle in the booth and he strolls to the counter, the front door chimes, and in comes Mary Anne and Betty Sutton, cousins who co-run the non-profit organization with Honey Lee and Christian’s sister, Clara. I wave to them and they wave back, then head over to me. I also realize that it’s not just them as there are other women with them, one of whom lights up at the sight of me.

She reaches me first, her face riddled with curiosity. I note how pretty she is with her big brown eyes and the pin-straight dark hair that falls past her elbows.

“Hi! We haven’t met.” She holds out a hand. “I’m Aimee Sutton. I’m second cousins with Mary Anne and Betty.”

“She’s also the prettiest Sutton in Sweet Haven.” Mary Anne beams proudly. “Won the Nashville pageant twice in a row.”

I shake the outstretched hand and offer a smile, then startle when the other two women begin flocking around me. I recognize one of them, but Honey Lee isn’t around, and the scene feels different. It’s not a bad kind of different, though.

After the next round of introductions, Betty gestures. “You don’t mind, do you? Since Christian’s still busy ordering.”

I glance at the counter, then nod at them. “Sure. What’s going on?”

Betty leans in. “Honey Lee and Christian said you’re his assignment, and I understand that’s a private matter, and we won’t pry about the details. We know he has a very important job.”

“Yes, he does. And yes, I’m his client.”

“But we are curious about something.”

I wait for them to ask me about where I’m from, maybe what I think of Sweet Haven.

“Hmm?”

“Have you two hooked up?”

Not that.

I blink. “What?”

Mary Ann clears her throat while the woman named Amanda titters. “What she’s trying to say in her usual blunt way is that you live with him. I heard you guys rarely go out, too, which means more time together and in close proximity. It’s normal to be attracted to each other since you’re both young and single.”

Suddenly, I feel the weight of five pairs of eyes on me, waiting for my answer. I blush. I can’t help it, not when my brain decides to betray me and replay the times when Christian and I were definitely in close proximity.

Then I shake my head, remembering what he said about the people here thriving on gossip. “We’re not hooking up.”

“Are you sure?” Amanda asks.

“Positive.”

There are several looks of disbelief, while Betty’s just disappointed. She sighs. “Wow. So, the hot military guy remains elusive and unattached. It’s crazy that he hasn’t made the move on you. You’re hot.”

“Thanks. He’s hot, too—I mean, objectively. But yeah.” I fight not to keep blushing. “We’re just friends.”

Thankfully, they don’t see through my denial and quickly move on from the topic. After some lively conversation, the four women leave to get a separate booth while Aimee stays with me and we get to chatting about traveling.

“It’s one of the perks of winning pageants and probably my favorite.” Aimee smiles. “I’m going to try to join again this year and see if I still have a chance.”

“I’m sure you will.”

“The food’s good, too.”

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