Page 122 of Trust My Bodyguard

“On nights when I just want to throw something easy together, then yes.”

“Oh.” He fase palms.

“Brody, I don’t care. This”—I swing the menu to encompass where we’re seated—” is the best thing ever and I love it. I would be thrilled to share a dinner eating fancy mac and cheese with you.”

This pleases him and a smile ticks his lips up at the corners. “Great. Place your order, then.”

We’re halfway through the dinner, talking about everything and nothing, when the conversation turns to my meeting with the police earlier in the day.

“They asked me further questions about my relationship to Daryl. They’ll need my testimony to lock him away for good.”

“And you said?”

“Of course, I will. He shouldn’t be out there harming anyone any longer. A man like that with such a long list of crimes outside attempted murder and kidnapping is a danger to everyone. I’ll be more than happy to lend a voice to getting him locked away.” I pause at the look Brody gives me. “What?”

“I like when you get so fierce. It’s hot.”

My face heats up. “I’ll keep that in mind for later tonight then.”

Gray eyes turn to slits, warming my insides up. “Yes. Definitely do that.”

“I also asked about Dad’s case. The cops said they’ve been able to locate the accounts where the money was kept.”

“Accounts?”

“He was trying to move it around to make sure it’s undetected.”

Brody hisses a disapproving sound, and his eyes grow dim. “I’m sorry, Ivy.”

I’ve not gotten over my parents’ betrayal yet. Brody has been kind enough to listen to my rants and console me. He knows talking about what my father has done is no small thing.

“It’s fine. I mean, it’s not fine. But it’s not exactly a dinner conversation, is it? They’re charging him with embezzlement and Iris gets back most of the money. It all works out.”

“Yeah, it does. And you played an important role in making it happen.” He leans forward, looking into my eyes. “You did the right thing.”

I give him a small smile. “I know.” I take a deep breath. “I have some other news.”

“You do?”

I nod.

When considering how to be together, we had three options: either Brody moves to Denver, I move to Pine Peaks, or we travel back and forth to meet each other.

After a lot of consideration, I decided.

“I’ve been job hunting,” I tell him.

“I know your work at CPS stresses you out a lot. You deserve a break.”

“That’s partly it, but not the entire reason.”

His gaze stays on me. Curious and patient.

“I’ve been looking for a job in Pine Peaks, Brody. Your mom helped a lot. She put in a word for me with the administration of the school and I have an interview for the position of school counselor.” I swallow a breath. “I’m moving to Pine Peaks.”

Dark eyebrows nearly hit his hairline, and his lips part.

“Say something, Brody.” A shaky laugh leaves me.

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