Page 18 of Flirtatious

She untwists herself while I wonder if Liam saw her naked and that’s why my life coach is clothed for her nightly routine. Ainsley is a beautiful woman with a great body and beautiful long blond hair I would love to have, and unlike me, she isn’t considered a spoiled pain in the ass.

Then again, her goat noises bothered him, so maybe he doesn’t like her either.

“Earth to Mia. Come in, Mia.”

Her voice tears me from my thoughts of whether or not Liam saw her naked, and I shake my head. “What?”

“I’m wondering why you’re here. Is something wrong? Do you need help?” she asks.

“Liam couldn’t sleep. He was wondering if you were birthing goats in here,” I blurt out, not even sure why I’d tell her that.

The look she gives me tells me she isn’t impressed with the new addition to my staff. “Liam. Hmmph. He looks like a Liam. Or a Henry. Something overbearing and bossy. Since when does what I do at bedtime concern anyone else?” she asks, returning to her cranky mood.

I quickly wave her question away. “Don’t worry. I told him he could take one of the rooms on my side of the house, so he won’t be bothering you.”

Instead of making her happy, my comment seems to confuse her. At least that’s the way it appears as she gives me a funny look like she doesn’t understand a word I’ve said.

“Since when do you allow anyone to stay that close to you?”

Feeling exposed, like she can see right into my thoughts, I shrug and look away. “He’s my personal bodyguard and head of my security team, so it’s only right he’s nearby. Right?”

“Right? Are you asking my permission to have the large, opinionated man who’s got brooding down to a science close to you? If you are, I say no.”

I can’t help but smile. Ainsley always has a way of making me happy.

“Well, I’m not.”

“Fine, but none of your other bodyguards have ever stayed on that side of the house. Speaking of that, where is Michael? Why isn’t he here instead of Liam?”

The way she says Liam’s name sounds like she already hates him. I don’t think I’ll bother to tell her the feeling is likely mutual.

“Michael’s gone,” I say, not wanting to explain anything more about him right now. “History. The past. Liam is my chief of security now, so that’s that.”

“Oookaaay.”

The two of us stand in silence as I try to contain my emotions about Michael’s leaving and my finding him with that girl. I don’t want Ainsley to see me upset over it or she’s going to want to talk about it, and the last thing I want to do is talk about that situation.

So I focus on the ugly pink color she chose to paint the walls in here instead, silently telling myself that while we’re gone, the painters need to get in here and get rid of this color. Is it salmon? Chartreuse? No, that’s green. Why couldn’t she pick a nice delicate pink instead of this muddy shade of what used to be my favorite color?

“Is there something you want to talk about, Mia? You sounded okay on the phone the other day, but I’m assuming since you didn’t tell me about Michael leaving and this new guy coming on board that you might want to talk.”

Turning around, I force a smile and nod at her question. “You’re the closest thing I have to a friend, Ainsley,” I say in a low voice, suddenly ashamed at how few people I have in my life who I can talk to. “I need that now, so please, none of the life coach stuff when I tell you what’s on my mind, okay?”

She gives me one of her sweet smiles I hope is genuine and takes a step toward me. Touching my hand, she says, “I am your friend, Mia. You can tell me anything. I won’t tell a soul.”

Unsure how to approach what I’m thinking about because I don’t know what I’m feeling at this moment, I simply repeat the word Liam used and ask, “Do you think I’m gorgeous?”

“Yes. Why?” Ainsley asks, sitting down on her bed.

“Even with this purple mess still in my hair?” I ask, nervously tugging on the ends near my nape.

“Yes. Again, why?”

“Do you think someone like me could ever find love?” I ask, looking down into her light green eyes to see the truth in case she lies because she feels like she has to.

“Yes, and hoping the third time’s a charm, why?”

“I just wanted to know. That’s it.”

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