Page 42 of Trust My Bodyguard

My first instinct is to go in the opposite direction until I’m away from here. Clearly, whatever she’s going through is outside my pay grade.

“I just wanted to clear my head and see... well, a direction. You have your social work. Brody”—my feet stop moving as I’m caught in my exit—“has his job, and everyone I know is doing something with their lives.”

“Iris, until a few weeks ago you were a big-time musician. You still are an amazing singer.” her sister says. “You don’t need to have it all figured out. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

Iris doesn’t look any better. I doubt whatever Ivy comes up with will fix her right now. Her dilemma reminds me of the days following my exit from the army. I felt untethered... in a bad way. I wasn’t sure where I stood. I left the surest path just to flounder. Mom worried about me and I started to worry too.

The cure? Exploring. Staying in one place with nothing to do yielded no results aside from recycling self-defeating thoughts. Maybe that’s why Iris feels the way she does.

“We should go see the town,” I blurt out.

Ivy shoots me a glare. “Now’s not the time for sightseeing.”

“No.” Iris places a hand on her shoulder. “I would love that a lot. Thank you, Brody.”

I’m too petty not to rub my victory in Ivy’s pretty face. I catch her eye and wink. Red climbs up her cheeks and she sticks her tongue out and wiggles her head.

“Ivy.” Her sister eyes her.

She stops and clears her throat. I allow the awkward moment to simmer briefly before breaking the silence.

“Go get ready,” I tell the ladies. “I’ll get a vehicle ready for us.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Brody

We get to the diner thirty minutes before the lunch crowd arrives. The space is empty except for Nancy who is behind the counter, vigorously wiping imaginary spots from her precious water tumblers.

Sensing our presence, her eyes lift from her task and lock on mine. An instant smile lights her face up. She tosses the dishrag as though it’s a piece of trash and rushes—well, trundles—over. She bats away my greeting and draws me into a firm, long hug, swaying us left and right.

I usually don’t mind her enthusiasm but the ladies are with me today. I can’t imagine what must be going through their heads as they watch the affectionate older woman compress me in her chubby arms.

“It’s been too long since I’ve seen you.” She lets go only to pat my cheek. “How are you at the resort and still so absent?”

“I’ve been working.” I nod over my shoulder.

“I know. The boys told me. But still.” She moves me aside. Bodily. “You should have brought our guests to visit.”

“They’re not guests,” I’m muttering but Nancy is already halfway to the ladies with outstretched arms. “Brody sure does have questionable manners since he has failed to bring you two to meet me.”

Ivy looks right past Nancy at me, confusion in her dark green gaze. When the woman hugs her, her expression changes, instantly warming up. She leans her chin on Nancy’s shoulder for a second before letting go. Iris gets the same treatment and suddenly they’re smiling at her. Instant best friends.

This doesn’t bode well for me.

I catch the end of Nancy’s accusations. “...hospitality is the least of his qualities so I’m not surprised.”

“I told you before, Nancy.” I rub the spot between my brows. “They are not guests.”

Nancy gives me a look. “Are they at the resort?”

Ivy answers. “We are.”

“Are they staying at the cabin for guests?”

Ivy’s eyes twinkle. This must be making her day. “We are.”

Fuck, the way she smiles. It riles me up and unlocks my protective instincts at the same time. I want to kiss it off her face and keep it there forever.

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