Page 114 of A Forever Love

As opposed to how unkempt or overdressed teens are sometimes, he’s sporting blue jeans and a simple burgundy hoodie that complements his fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. “I’m hungry. I wanted to get some waffles.”

His bodyguard shakes his head, his shoulders slumping, as if they’ve had this conversation a few times before. “I told you, Master Hawthorne, I cannot let you go. It’s five a.m., and there’s still thirty minutes until we change shifts. I can order room service, though.”

“But I don’t want to eat in my room. I’m bored.” Even in his frustration, Charlie’s voice is even.

I place a hand on his shoulder because I understand his plight, both sitting in a room twenty-four seven and feeling hungry at five a.m.

“Aren’t there usually two bodyguards outside his room?” I ask.

“Tony Walker, our chief, was on duty with me until half an hour ago, Miss Adams. But I asked him to leave.”

“Why? Was he sick or something?”

“The fish he ate last night probably didn’t agree with him.”

“Why didn’t you call for backup? Isn’t it protocol to have two bodyguards on duty?” Surprise flashes in his eyes, and I realize I might be stepping on the wrong feet here. “Please understand I’m not blaming you or anything. I’m just trying to understand.”

He lets out a breath. “The hotel is quiet at this time, and Tony swept all the floors before leaving. I didn’t see any immediate danger, especially with the shift change soon.”

Charlie shakes his head. “But why can’t I go to the restaurant with you, Mr. Percy?”

“Master Hawthorne, I don’t even know if the restaurant is open so early.”

“It is,” Charlie and I say at the same time, and then I grin, feeling silly.

“I’m hungry too,” I tell him. “Is it okay if I accompany Charlie to the dining room and you keep watch?”

The bodyguard’s lips purse, and before he can refuse, I lightly tap on Charlie’s arm.

He immediately takes the hint and turns to the man before us. “Please, Mr. Percy.”

“We’ll take the corner table,” I assure him. “I’ll make sure Charlie isn’t facing the door, and I’ll scan our surroundings every few minutes. I can also wear an earpiece, if you’d like. We can stay connected in case we need to move our package in a hurry.” I place my hands over Charlie’s shoulders.

“You are quite versed in security vernacular, Miss Adams.”

I take the tiny smile on Mr. Percy’s lips as a positive.

“My dad is a partner at Kings Security, and I practically grew up with all the men there. I had to learn the lingo, whether I wanted to or not. So, what do you say?”

“Okay. Let’s get you those waffles, Master Hawthorne.”

The three of us ride the elevator, and once it stops on the ground floor, Mr. Percy instructs us to wait while he checks the lobby thoroughly. Only then do we follow him into the dining area. The main dining hall is closed, but a small breakfast bar is open for people like us who need their morning fix. As planned, Charlie and I take a corner table, and I keep my gaze on the door while Mr. Percy stands guard.

After getting our waffles, a milkshake, and a cinnamon latte, Charlie says, “You were so cool up there.”

“Thank you so much.” I grin. “I used to play police with Uncle Lukas, Uncle Gavin, and Carter when I was a kid.”

“So, Carter and you…” His cheeks flush.

My own heart thuds nervously. Crap! I never thought a teenager could make me nervous.

“Um, what do you mean?” I ask.

“That thing.” He points toward the small book charm on my gold chain. “I was with Carter when he got the delivery from the jeweler.”

“Oh, yeah. Carter and I went to the Jane Austen center, and he gifted me this as a souvenir.” My palms sweat under the table in the early winter morning.

“Okay, if you say so.” He cuts his waffles into bite-sized pieces with trained elegance before putting them into his mouth. But it’s clear from his voice that he doesn’t believe me.

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