Page 39 of If Our Hearts Collide

I straighten my back. “How do you know I’m lying?”

“Me going to the event is like your worst nightmare for background checks and all things security. All these men, vying for my attention…” She stifles a laugh into her elbow, and then shrugs. “Who am I fooling? Anyone that knows anything about me will just run for the hills. Pretty sure as soon as someone figures out my last name, they’ll either see dollar signs or caution tape. Excuse me.”

I can see the tears form in her eyes as she flutters around me to get to the backseat, where she gently places the box of bakedgoods onto the bench. She maneuvers her body so I’m unable to see her face, which just pisses me off, because I want to see how badly she is hurting.

“Pen?”

“Hmm?”

When she doesn’t turn around, I gently place my hand on her elbow, spinning her so she can look at me. I have every urge to say something profound. Anything to cheer her up. But, I can only just stare.

“I don’t want your pity, Collins.”

My mouth dries over her assumption. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not giving it. I just?—”

“It’s okay.” She pulls away, slides into the front passenger seat, and snaps her belt into place. “I don’t need fake sympathy either.”

I hand her the paper cup labeled “Princess Penelope,” shutting the door gently. I can’t help but smirk over the name she gave for herself. She despises whenever anyone uses her legal first name, so it is a bit surprising to see it spelled out in front of me in bold caps.

I then grab my cup and laugh over all of the writing on the side. First I see “Control Freak” written with black sharpie marker and then crossed out. Under that name, I see “Stubborn and Silent” jotted down and then scribbled out. When my eyes connect with the name Penny finally settled on, I don’t know whether to laugh or applaud her for her determination and originality.

“Not My Bodyguard.”

It’s clever. I have to give her that.

Except Iamher bodyguard. And no amount of resistance on her part is going to change that fact.

I take a slow sip, savoring the taste. I round the front of the SUV, and then settle behind the wheel. I glance over to Penny,who refuses to look at me. She just stares at the people entering and exiting the Ground Floor coffee shop, sipping her own steaming beverage.

Penny’s moods flip so fast between lighthearted fun to serious doldrums that it is causing me a bit of emotional whiplash.

“Penny?”

“Drive or I’ll just get out and walk.”

I bite the inside of my mouth, snap my belt into place, and pull out of the parking spot with ease.

It kills me not to ask her what’s wrong or try to comfort her on whatever turmoil is going on inside her head. I get that Penny is still recovering and going through maintenance therapy sessions locally in the city. However, I doubt a therapist is going to help her in triggering moments like these—especially if she doesn’t quite understand herself what set her off.

I round the block and park us in the designated spot in front of her brother’s building, Hoffman Headquarters. Giving me no time to exit and help her with her door, Penny is already on the sidewalk, pulling out the pastry box from the backseat.

I reach into the car, grab our coffees, and then manage to catch up to her at the main entrance. We walk quietly side by side, through the lobby, where I’m greeted with nods from the security staff.

Since Nic has become head of security here, the day-to-day flow has been vastly better when it comes to entering and exiting the building efficiently.

He has pioneered cutting-edge technology to tighten the security here, and despite having the massive incident with the madman who kidnapped Claire a couple of months ago, things have been smooth overall.

There was a time where I was stationed here most of my day, helping out with the behind-the-scenes checks of the staff, while still guarding either Angie or Claire.

Now my days are going to be filled with trying to manage this sassy princess.

When we arrive at the elevators, I hit the up button, signaling the doors to open on cue. Penny cuts in front of me on the way in, and instead of selecting the floor for Angie and Claire’s company, Plus None, she hits the button for Graham’s office.

“Detour?” I ask quietly.

“You know it.”

My shoulders round as I take in her stance. She’s trying to be strong, but I can tell she’s about to cry. Sweat builds on my neck beneath the collar of my shirt. It feels weird to be in this building dressed so casually in jeans, but I understand why the release in formalities. Penny’s case is different. Since she’s family, her brothers didn’t want to be intrusive.

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