Page 34 of A Constant Reminder

Chapter 21 – Tyler

Glancing at the clock on my phone, I realized I’d completely lost track of time. It was nearing midnight, but I’d made a lot of progress on my app.

A knock on the door about made me jump out of my skin.

“Yeah?” I called already knowing who it was.

Sam entered and walked over taking a seat on the corner of my desk.

“Hi,” she mumbled barely loud enough to hear.

“Hey, Kansas,” I said not taking my eyes off the computer screen.

She scooted over so she was blocking my view of the monitor. “Sam, what are you doing?”

“Trying to apologize to you.”

That softened my demeanor a bit.

She titled my chin up, so I was looking at her. “I want to apologize for freaking out on you earlier. I know you were just doing it out of love and because you worry about me.”

“Sam, I knew you’d be a little ticked at me, but I didn’t know you’d explode like a fucking bomb. I’m sorry for springing Gabe on you like that. I should have told you beforehand, but you have to understand that I still think it’s a good idea.”

She climbed on my lap. “I’m sure I still would have been pissed had you told me earlier. I wouldn’t like being told I had a babysitter no matter the context.”

I sighed. “Not a babysitter. Just an extra layer of protection in case James decides to try anything.”

“Maybe we can discuss this whole Gabe thing, but there are a few guidelines I want to put in place.”

My eyebrows shot up waiting for her to continue.

“For starters, if I’m with you, Gabe doesn’t have to come. I have no doubt in my mind you’d be able to handle James if he tried something.”

“Fair enough,” I agreed.

“Next, when I go out without you, he can’t just be Mr. Stalker Man following me from twenty feet back. He has to act normal.”

I laughed because the large 6’6” man next to Sam’s petite form would surely draw some attention. “Baby, no matter what, Gabe kind of stands out.”

“I know, but him following me like a weirdo doesn’t help that fact.”

Yet again, I agreed to her terms, grateful that she was willing to give this a shot at all.

“I’m sorry again, Ty,” she said with a sweet kiss. “Now, will you please come out of this office and take me to bed? Everyone else is already asleep.”

“We can go to bed, but I think you better keep your hands to yourself tonight,” I said as she stood up.

The look of shock on her face was laughable. “Why?”

“Your family is here, and you can’t exactly be quiet when you’re coming,” I said with a playful smack on her ass.

“Well, maybe we’ll just have to put that to the test,” she said with a wink while taking my hand and leading me up to bed.

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