Page 9 of Guarding the Singer

Wow.

William gave his sister a big smile. "I'll call you later, okay?"

"You better call me and tell me everything!" Thenshe turned to look at Selene. "Now I have to watch this! You're gonna be awesome!"

William took the phone as Selene stood to greet the designer.

She could hear William saying goodbye to his sister and the playful banter was good to hear. It also made her really jealous of the two.

Selene had grown up wanting a sibling, but especially an older brother.

Then again, she mused as she watched Maya open the garment bags that she'd brought with her, Mary had said that she could have her older brother.

Wouldn't that be amazing?

Only she didn't want him as a brother.

Selene turned back to look at William and saw him smiling at her.

She wanted him in other ways.

PART III

Time seemed to move at the speed of light after William ended the phone call. The fashion designer who'd come in was all business wrapped up in a graceful figure.

The gowns she pulled out of the rolling cases looked like curtains to him, but that wasn't his ball of wax.

There were fittings where he turned his back and then a makeup and hair duo that came in and left, leaving behind the scent of powder and hair products.

From that point, he remained outside the room.

It was easier to worry about keeping his eyes safely off of Selene.

It wasn't easy when he was in the room.

No, not easy... impossible.

He may not listen to her music, but coming face to face with her was eye opening.

Standing outside the room, listening to the controlled chaos on the other side, gave him time to ponder what was going on inside his head.

How many times had he rolled his eyes or put on a brave face when his sister had turned on the stereo and danced around the room, singing Selene's songs?

And found himself tapping his foot to the rhythms and listening to her songs.

Maybe, just maybe, he hummed along with some of the hooks.

What a story.

He had to smile to himself.

He'd joked about his sister’s taste in music, but he hadn't really listened to it, just seen the effect of the music on Mary.

Maybe, he grinned, he'll have to give it a listen when he got back to his base.

His phone chimed in his pocket, and he drew it out.

The alarm was set to let him know that they had thirty minutes until the car would arrive to take them to the Capitol building.

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