Page 5 of Sweet and Salty

“I know,” I say. “But you know I love my home. I’ve worked hard for it and I have plants to take care of.” I smile at him. “And it’s a little unnerving to think about having someone always watching over you, not to mention I have no idea how my patients are going to feel. Have you gotten used to it?” I ask, knowing his two security details are standing just outside my office.

“I don't know if you get used to it,” he answers. “But you certainly form trusting relationships with those invested in protecting you. Are there times I wish I could go out without worrying about being harassed or attacked because of my position? Absolutely. Would I take the risk without them? Never.”

Dad slides out of his chair, and I follow him to the front of my building, giving him another hug. “I appreciate all you do for me,” I say, truly meaning it.

“And I appreciate you for all you do,” he says. “As long as the meeting goes well today, I'll have him show up before opening tomorrow.”

“Sounds good,” I say, nodding to his two guards before they head out of the building.

I walk back into my office, settling into the chair behind my desk, noting I have twenty minutes before my next appointment. I do some breathing exercises, trying like hell to calm the nerves that the envelope I’ve now thrown into the drawer with the others has caused. I hate how on edge I've been since this situation started, unable to hear my door open without holding my breath until I see who's walking through it.

I'm in the middle of another deep breath when my phone rings, and I smile as I pick it up.

“Luna,” I say by way of answer. “How are you?”

“I'm good, I was calling to check on you. I just drove by on my way to the shop and saw your dad and his security guys outside? Something going on?”

I laugh. “Nothing gets by you, does it?”

“Not in Sweet Water,” she answers.

“Everything's fine,” I say. “Dad just finally convinced me to let him hire a security detail for me.”

“Oh, I'm so relieved,” she says. “I know you were conflicted about it, but until this guy has decidedly backed off, I think we'll all be a little more comfortable knowing a trained professional is watching out for you.”

“I know,” I say. “I feel incredibly privileged to be in the position to have something like this. There are countless other people in the same situation as mine who can't. It feels unfair somehow.”

“That's so not fair to you,” Luna says. “Even though I totally get where you're coming from. If we could, we’d help every singleperson who’s in the same situation. Don't you think they’d take the extra help if someone offered it to them?”

I tilt my head. “Well, probably.”

“Definitely,” she says. “So, you shouldn't feel guilty about accepting your dad’s help. And who knows, maybe this guy will be able to sort this out quickly and then you can go back to being your normal, introverted self,” she teases, bringing the conversation back to a lighter mood. “Well, introverted unless you're wearing a mask and partying at a nightclub.”

I smile and shake my head. “That was a one-time thing.”

“Says the woman who texts her mystery man every single day but refuses to meet him in person.”

“Not refusing,” I say. “I'm simply simmering in the anticipation. Because who knows, the second weofficiallymeet, all of this amazing chemistry could go right out the window. And then I wouldn't have these fun, flirty texts to look forward to every day.”

“Or you could end up falling for the masked man who blew your mind on the roof of a club two months ago and live happily ever after.”

I laugh. “You're all about happily ever after now that you've secured your own,” I tease. “How is Brad?”

“Brad is fantastic,” she answers in a sing-song voice. “And can you blame me for wanting the same level of happiness for you?”

“I love you,” I say. “I have to prep for my next patient.”

“I love you too,” she returns the gesture. “Let me know when you meet the security guy, I want all the deets. And if Silver texts you tonight, I want to hear about that too!”

“Will do.”

We hang up, and I chuckle softly to myself at her enthusiasm for my mystery man. I have to admit it’s getting harder and harder to come up with logical excuses not to meet him everytime he brings it up. Especially when a simple text from him brings me such daily joy.

But with everything going on—an ex-patient stalker and a new security detail coming tomorrow—striking up a relationship, even a casual one, with someone I haven't been able to stop thinking about for two months seems like the definition of biting off more than I can chew.

And that night, Silver definitely proved he was one big bite.

CHAPTER 3

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