Page 103 of Always Be an Us

"Oh." Amelia relaxes a little and shuffles over groggily to give her mother a hug around the waist. "Emma’s cool. Don’t worry."

"Yes, I can see that," Rachel says and her eyes glint with amusement, which drops to a frown as she analyzes her daughter’s face. "Is that a pimple?" She pinches Amelia’s cheeks between her perfectly manicured fingers and continues. "It is a pimple. Amelia Rose, have you not been using those face masks I gave you?"

"I have mom, I’m just prone to pimples."

"So was I when I was your age, that’s why I gave you those face masks. You have to use them religiously hon, because you don’t want to be on Accutane when you’re older. Trust me it’s a nightmare."

"Ok, I get it. Ugh, let go already, you’re being a freak."

I'm entertained by their quibbling and then I meet Emma’s gaze. She gives me a bemused look, a cross between amused and overwhelmed.

I raise an eyebrow.Are you okay?

She nods and then gives me one of her pretty smiles that shows the dimple on her cheek.

I want to kiss her right there and then, and I would have had it not been for the promise I made to Amelia. Instead, I settle for just admiring her lips.

I don't think I do a good job of hiding my intent either, which is proven when Amelia says, "Ugh, they’re making kissy faces at each other again." I glance back in time to catch my daughter’s expression of disgust. "They do that all the time."

"Do they?" Rachel has a look on her face like she’s in on a joke that no one else can decipher. This means she's probably about to start her interrogation. It's time to make my escape.

"Alright." I put down my cup of coffee and say, "I think it's time to head out to work now. Sandy should be here any moment."

"I don’t think she needs her nanny when she has me," Rachel says.

"Noted." I turn to Emma. "You wanna come with me? I can give you time to get changed."

She considers it for more than a few seconds before she shakes her head. "No, it’s fine. I think I’ll just stay here."

I raise my eyebrow. "Are you sure?’

"Yeah," she says with a flashing smile. "I wanna hang out with Rachel and Amelia."

That really surprises me. I try to search for a hidden meaning behind her words but find nothing.

"Oh relax," Rachel says. "We’re not going to bite her. We can just have a girl’s day. Correct?"

Emma nods.

I sigh, resigned.

"Yeah, just make sure you stay with the bodyguards." The team of two bodyguards that I hired just arrived from New York and were waiting downstairs in the lobby. They're from an agency I use all the time in New York and I was assured of their efficacy.

I briefed them yesterday about everything that happened. Our conversation gave me confidence they would do what needed to be done to protect my daughter and Emma.

"Bodyguards?" Emma asks.

"Yes," I say. "I’ll introduce you to them before I leave."

"Are bodyguards necessary? It was just a break-in."

"Someone tore apart your house Emma," I say. "It wasn’t just a break-in. It looked personal and I’m not taking any chances when it comes to you, whether you like it or not." I drop a kiss on her forehead in lieu of her lips and say, "Now get ready so I can call them in and introduce you."

Emma is stunned, blinking for a few moments before she finally agrees with a husky whisper. "Okay."

The introduction to the bodyguards goes smoothly. One of them, Monty, is a large, hulking man who used to guard a senator’s daughter. He is very gentle with Amelia and tries his best not to intimidate her despite his size. He also doesn't seem offended when she comments on his baldness and even laughs when she remarks, "I can see my reflection on it."

The other one, Cross, is a lean, quieter man who seems curious when Emma begins telling him about the town and its lore. He stares at her in an almost eerie, unblinking way. And if I didn't already know he was gay, I would have been worried.

---