Page 3 of Safe With Me

She asked, “Still think I can’t do the job, Doc?”

He laughed, something she didn’t expect. “Sorry about that. But you better let go of me fast or I’m going to need a sling.”

She stepped away.

Turning, he smiled at her. “My apologies for being sexist. But you’re so…slight.”

“Well, I eat a ton. And I have more muscles than you do. I assure you I’m strong and up to the job.”

He cocked his head. “Doesn’t your size affect your ability to do that?”

“Why would it?”

“People won’t see you as security.”

“They’ll find out soon enough.”

“I suppose. And again, I apologize. Shall we sit over there and talk?”

They crossed to the table and chairs in the corner that the guys had set up yesterday. “I’ve got a coffee pot in the back that I’m going to put out here eventually.”

“I imagine there aren’t many niceties in your clientele’s lives.”

His approval was good to see.

“No they don’t. I’ll go get forms we have to fill for employment reasons.”

“Okay. And I’ll take that coffee. Black.”

He disappeared into the back and Steph wondered why she’d been cursed with these looks. They always made people underestimate her. When he returned, he brought two cups and had slid a clipboard under his arm. He set everything on the table.

Dropping down again, he sipped his own brew and held his pen above the form. “First off, your name.”

“Stephanie Giordano.”

“An Italian heritage? Another thing that doesn’t fit with your looks.”

“I resemble my Irish mother.”

“Tell me about your family.”

“Mom and Dad live in Syracuse. I’m blessed with four brothers.”

“No wonder you’re so tough.”

“Had to be. To make matters worse, they’re all older.”

“You must have had a hell of a time with boyfriends.”

“What boyfriends? Nobody’d come near me until college.”

“I can imagine.”

“I was saved by a best friend, Camille. We shared teenage girl things. She still lives in Syracuse. How about you?”

“A sister, younger. She lives in L.A. I need an address.”

“78 Bellmont Drive right here in Westwood. I have an apartment in a house. Where do you live?”

---