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“No one.” I shrugged, trying to play it off. “It’s no big deal.”

AJ and Jamie both coughed bullshit into their hands. They wouldn’t let it go.

“A friend. Meg. I’m giving her shooting lessons. It’s not a big deal.”

“Meg? As in Grannie’s Meg?” Jamie asked as he grabbed a breadstick. The heavy garlic scent made my mouth water, so I grabbed two.

“Yes, I’m giving her shooting lessons. Like I said, no biggie.” I shoved half a breadstick in my mouth.

“And you’re grinning like the Cheshire Cat, because…?” AJ teased.

I was pretty sure they knew I had a thing for Meg, but no way in hell would I admit it. I was still getting to know her, and I didn’t need the hassle.

“You heard him. He’s giving her shooting lessons.” Jamie said to AJ, “I know I always get a goofy grin when I schedule a lesson, don’t you?”

“Only if I think she’s cute.” AJ confessed. AJ and Jamie clinked their beer bottles in solidarity.Fucking brothers. AJ might not be blood, but the bond we formed while serving was just as thick.

I shrugged and was about to deny it, but AJ shut me down.

“Don’t even try to deny it dude, you’re into her.”

I took a bite of pizza, a string of hot greasy cheese got stuck in the stubble on my chin. I wiped it away before saying, “Fuck you Janerek.” Not the best comeback, but I couldn’t think of anything better at the moment.

“Tread carefully, little brother. Ma likes her a lot, and you know how protective she can be,” Jamie warned me.

I knew. We all knew dating someone from Grannie’s was a bad idea. We couldn’t risk the potential shit show if something went wrong with one of mom’s employees. She’d kill us if she lost a good worker because of a bad breakup.

Meg’s beauty had grabbed my attention, but it was her demeanor that had sparked my curiosity. I wanted to get to know her better, figure out her story.

“I know. I know. There’s nothing for Ma to worry about.” I sounded more defensive than I’d intended. Their skepticism was evident from their raised eyebrows. It was hard convincing them when I couldn’t convince myself.

I watched her over the rim of my coffee cup, after we finished our most recent range date that wasn’t a date or a lesson, debating whether to say something as she picked up her peppermint tea and sniffed. She didn’t feel safe around me, and I wanted to know why. I must have looked like I wanted to ask her something because she glanced around nervously before asking, “What?”

“Can I ask you a question?” I lowered my cup to the table, still cradling it in both hands, doing my best to appear relaxed and non-threatening.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Her voice wavered.

I hated hearing the fear in her voice. I didn’t want her to shut down, so I opted for a less direct question than I’d originally planned.

“You know I protect people for a living, right?” I kept my tone light.

“Yeah.”

“Do you believe if a threat came through the door, I’d stop it?” I lifted my coffee, hiding most of my face as I observed her reaction. I could see the slight tremor in her hands despite the death grip she had on her cup.

After a brief pause, and a glance at the door, Meg answered. “Yeah, I guess, it’s just…” She paused, opened her mouth, then closed it again. She stared at her tea, as if it held the answers she was seeking.

“It’s just what?” I asked gently.

“I’m used to having to watch out for myself.” She didn’t look up.

Seeing her shrink down, like she wanted to disappear, was like a dagger to my heart.

“I got your back Meg.” I said, then changed the subject. I didn’t think she’d open up any more today.

“Next question.” I nodded my head towards the plate. “You gonna eat both those chocolate croissants?”

Meg‘s soft smile didn’t reach her eyes. She was clearly relieved I’d changed the subject, but wasn’t ready to relax yet. “No, one is for you. I got the blueberry muffin in case you don’t like chocolate.”

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