Page 31 of Only If You Dare

Santana gave me a knowing look.

“We’re leaving earlier than Friday. Julian wants to take my mind off things.”

“How early?”

I smirked. “Tomorrow.”

“Well what are you going to do,” she asked.

I threw the question right back at her. “What are you going to do? You can’t stay here alone.”

“Why? You have to have the private code just to reach this floor. If you ask me, this is the safest place to be at this point.”

I thought about her words.

“Okay, so you’ll stay here, or you could go over to your parents. I’m sure they’d rather you stay with them, then here alone.”

“And I’d rather stay here alone.”

I cracked a smile. “Why?”

“Because my mother will treat me like a patient, checking on me every second, and you know I can’t deal with that.”

“Alright, fine, be my guess. But tomorrow morning, you’re going with me to the mall. I need to grab a few things and whatever business you need to handle you’ll do it before we leave. I don’t want you going places alone. I think Julian is getting you some security anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

“He asked if you had family and thought you needed security. Said he had someone in mind.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet. So it’ll be like having secret service detail.”

“I don’t know about all that.”

Santana chuckled. “What will I do until my secret service shows up?”

I rolled my eyes and smirked. “Pair up with Gloria. I’m sure she’ll be happy to stay with you.”

“I just might.” Santana mulled it over. “But I’d prefer to have a man like Julian protect me instead. Or better yet, whisk me away to another country. Talk about a damsel in distress.”

I chuckled. “You never stop do you?”

“Why should I? It’s the truth. Did you say he had other brothers?”

I was shaking my head now.

“What?” Santana asked.

“Yes, he has seven brothers and triplets for sisters.”

“If any of them look like him, stick a fork in me, I’m done.”

I laughed again. “I’m going to bed,” I said pulling away from the table.

“Hey, you haven’t finished your food.”

“Put it in the refrigerator I’ll eat it tomorrow. I made a beeline straight for the shower, wishing Julian was there to keep me company.