Page 8 of Close Protection

Focusing back on safety, I check the windows for sturdiness and look around for anything that could be used as a weapon if needed. Happy with my assessment I turn around, finding Daphne in the doorway with her head cocked, a curious expression dancing on her face.

‘Where would I find the keys for the wardrobe and the door?’

‘Room keys are normally stored in one of the bedside tables,’ she answers after a beat, turning on her heel and walking over to check the drawer closest to her. Once she retrieves the keys, her soft hand finds mine and places themin my palm, just as her chocolate eyes lift to meet my gaze. A crazy part of me wants to run my thumb across her plump bottom lip, just to see if it is as soft as it looks, but I hold off and settle for slipping the keys into another pocket, keeping my hand there to prevent myself from doing something stupid. She watches the fluid movement, her eyes tracking up my arm and settling on my bicep. After a few moments of silence, I clear my throat.

‘Would you, um, like to unpack now or do you want to do it after we finish the tour?’ she breathes, looking back up at me. I smell a fresh waft of that orange blossom and marshmallow scent of hers and instantly make up my mind.

‘I’ll do it later. Let’s finish the tour.’ I need to get a handle on myself and get this tour over and done with. The quicker I’m done with the tour, the quicker I can create some much-needed distance.

Jeez. I’ve only known the girl two hours.

Wildly inconvenient indeed.

5Daphne

As I sit down at my dresser to get ready for bed, I realize I haven’t checked my phone all day. I scroll through notification after notification and settle on opening all the unread messages from my Cousin Isabella.

Isabella

12:42 p.m.

Important question: what dress are you wearing tonight? I’m thinking of wearing my white Zimmerman dress, or is that too casual?

12:43 p.m.

Wait, I can’t wear white to an engagement party Okay, I’ll just wear the blue Alexander McQueen maxi with the silver Rene Caovillas.

7:15 p.m.

Cam seated us together, by the way, we’re on table three. For when you get here x

8:03 p.m.

Blue was definitely the right idea, Cam is the only one wearing white, ahaha

8:57 p.m.

Camilla’s asking where you are so I told her you’re running late, when do you think you’ll get here?

9:45 p.m.

Hello, Earth to Daphne… where are you? Did something happen?

10:03 p.m.

Oh my gosh, DAPHNE. Auntie Harriet’s WATERS JUST BROKE.

IN. THE. MIDDLE. OF. THE. SPEECHES.

Me

10:45 p.m.

STOP.

NO WAY!

Isabella

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