Page 59 of Protecting Mr. Fine

Just get the Pinwheel Lasagne and be done with it. We both know that’s what you really want.

Landry

Can’t. Runway show in Paris next week.

Wait. I thought you were already in Paris?

Landry

No. They changed it again. Fucking assholes. I leave day after tomorrow.

Then those salads aren’t your friend either. Get the Sesame Chicken Salad from Little Beet.

My mouth watered, remembering some of our favorite places in New York. I hated that I’d missed visiting there.

The reminder of the target stamp and subsequent email threat was enough to seriously harsh my post-double-orgasm vibe.

Landry

You slammed with work? You want to meet up for salad? If you get the lasagne, I can have a bite or twelve.

I stared at the screen as I realized I’d never told the guys I was skipping New York.

I’m not in the city. Change of plans. Sorry.

Landry

Are you still in Barlo? Everything okay with Gran?

All is well. I’m in a tiny town in Europe. Long story. But also, I forgot to ask if we’re going to Majestic for Christmas. You still good with that? Dev said we can all stay with them and start settling into our own rooms in his and Tully’s place.

Landry

Europe? How very unspecific. Why?

I’m thinking about getting an extra guitar to leave in Majestic so I can have one there in case I ever visit unannounced.

Landry

Mr. Fine is being Mr. Mysterious. What’s going on?

No mystery. The team is being extra cautious before the next leg of the tour by parking me in the middle of nowhere to rest.

It wasn’t the truth, but it also wasn’tuntrue.

Landry

Hmm, mysterious vacation with Grumpy Bear in… Europe.

My stomach tightened at the mention of Bear, but I ignoredLandry’s reference to him.

I’m working on a new song. Enjoying the peace and quiet. It’s nice.

Or it had been. Until a literal year’s worth of frustrated longing for my bodyguard had exploded into a giant forest fire of need and want… and overthinking.

Landry

Nice.

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