Page 117 of The Billionaire Bodyguard Next Door

Luna

Is there something going on between you and “D”?

Because I'm fully supportive if that's the case.

Darnell was a young widower. He was steadfast, dependable, and just the nicest guy.

Parvati

No comment.

Luna

OMG now I really need to know. I'm 100% grilling you on this when I see you tomorrow. Consider yourself warned.

Then I stashed my phone away and reached for Beck's hand. He was there in an instant, his grip firm in mine.

Not realizing I even had tension there, my shoulders relaxed at his touch as I searched the packed room for Faith.

A crowd gave away her position.

“This way.” I tugged on Beck's hand, and he let me tow him over to where Faith was enchanting a group of art enthusiasts. Giving her space to connect with her fans, we sidled up to Sebastian, both of us greeting him with a hug.

“Your girl is popular,” Beck said with a nod.

With a look of pure adoration, Sebastian smiled. “She is.”

“And for good reason,” I chimed in, feeling left out. The gallery walls were covered with Faith’s latest collection. A literal urban jungle. “Actually this might be fun for my office at Club Deux.”

“Good luck with that,” Sebastian said. “She's already sold everything in the room and the people surrounding her are begging to get on a wait-list.”

Maybe I should throw my name in the ring too.

Sebastian asked Beck how Alice was adjusting to life with Bruce, asking to stop by for a visit. My friend might be grumpy with people but was a veritable Squishmallow around dogs.

I turned, looking for a place to get drinks when I spotted a familiar face.

She must have felt my attention because her head turned in my direction.

Paige.

My stomach dropped, and I swayed on my feet.

Beck was there with a steadying hand. “Whoa there.”

The man immediately began scanning the room. No doubt he recognized her too. I had no doubt my billionaire bodyguard had done a full search on Paige once I revealed my past with her.

Without looking at him, I reached back to pat his arm. “I'll be right back.”

“Do you need me to come with you?” he asked, and I could hear the hint of worry in his tone.

“I’ve got this,” I assured him.

“Okay.” He nodded, still assessing the situation in that way of his. “I'm here if you need me.”

I dropped my grip. My focus was across the room, completely on the woman I hadn't seen for nearly eight years.

All my usual badassery flew right out the window. Still, I found a kernel of something deep within me to pull my shoulder back and swallow the space between us.

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