Page 45 of Close Protection

Okay, see, now I’m confused. Is she being condescending? No, I don’t think so, her tone was too genuine.

‘We’re not together,’ I clarify, walking in front of the rack where they’re standing.

‘Yeah, sure you’re not,’ Averie says, rolling her eyes playfully, flicking her jet black hair out of her face. She has such an old Hollywood way about her with how she moves, talks and looks. She definitely comes from money, and she is absolutely stunning.

‘I’m sorry, but what made you think we were together?’ I ask, genuinely curious.

Averie and Hallie exchange the same knowing look that Amelia and Henry did last night when they asked about the kiss. ‘What?’ I breathe a laugh out, slightly apprehensive about what they may say.

‘Daphne,’ Hallie starts. ‘Just the fact that Milosh was honest with you about how he met me tells me everything I need to know. He told you he was in care. He doesn’t share that with anyone, least of all clients.’

‘And,’ Averie adds softly, ‘have you seen the way that man looks at you? And vice versa? Daphne, I’m sorry thatyou’re evidently the last one to know, but you guys clearly like each other.’

‘I mean, I’ve known him since he was twelve, and I’ve never seen him look at a girl the way he was just looking at you. Not through many girls’ lack of trying, though,’ Hallie laughs. ‘I was fourteen when he came to the home and it was so funny to see the younger girls tripping over themselves to get his attention. Then when he joined school it was even worse. Every girl in his grade and even the grade above wanted a shot with him, but he paid them no mind. When he got older and both of us moved out he stayed in contact with me, so I know he did entertain a few small flings, but nothing like this.’

‘And what is “this” exactly?’ I question.

‘This.’ Hallie gestures between the door and me. ‘You, him, whatever you wanna call it. You may be his client, but the way he looks at you is anything but professional. The way you two talk to each otheraloneis absolutely laced with tension.’ Hallie sighs wistfully.

‘How about we get back on to the dresses?’ Averie suggests, and I silently thank her with my eyes as we all look to the portable clothing rack.

There are around ten gowns on it. Some I’ve seen recently on the runway while others are completely new to me.

‘These dresses are just my style. Goodness, you girls are good at your job!’ I commend.

‘Daphne, we didn’t pick these out. Milosh did,’ Hallie says with that same knowing look. ‘We sent him, like, fifty options. All different colours and styles, but he was adamant that these ones were more you.’

I look back at the dresses through a new lens. They’re all either light pink, white or cream, with classic feminine lines, and are soft, light and girly rather than overly sensual or seductive. That’s my style completely.

‘Milosh chose all of them individually?’ I ask, my voice small as I feel the fabrics beneath my fingers.

‘Mm hmm,’ Averie replies. ‘And judging by your fantastic closet, by the way, it looks like he got it pretty spot on.’

Huh. Would you look at that?

Me and Milosh.

Milosh and I.

Mr Petrov and Miss Green

Daphne and Milosh.

No matter how I spin it, I seem to come to the same conclusion.

We sound great together.

20MILOSH

‘This was really nice of you, Milosh,’ Amelia says, as we walk into Daphne’s room. I simply nod as I go to sit down on the sofa by the window, leaving Amelia perched on the end of Daphne’s bed.

I shouldn’t be here.

I honestly shouldn’t have called Hallie to bring the dresses for her. This is all becoming too much too fast and I seem to be continually forgetting the fact that I’m nothing but an employee to Daphne, and she’s nothing but a job to me.

Well, should be at least.

I’ve never been so unprofessional before. Granted, none of my jobs were to protect a soon-to-be eighteen-year-old, whose face is like a painting you never want to look away from. A painting that people would travel miles to see for just a moment.

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