Page 62 of Too Much In Common
Chris ignored the woman hoping she’d realize the obvious and back away.
“Look at me when I talk to you.” Her voice raised.
Chris crossed his arms. “Ma’am, will you please move to the side?”
“I’m not going to move. You should move.”
“I am currently acting as a lifeguard. Please do not stand between me and my children.”
“You are overdressed and the sign says ‘No Lifeguard on Duty.’”
Chris sidestepped to open a path between him and the children.
“I’m going to report you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You want me to, so I’ll leave and you can ogle my daughter.” She waved her arms in front of his face.
Chris sidestepped again. “Ma’am, I asked you politely to not stand between me and the children. Please do not —”
“I can stand any place I want to. And I am going to stand in front of you to keep you away from those children.”
“I wouldn’t advise that.” When he returned to Chicago, he needed to ask ZoElle about making a self-defense against Karens class. He had no idea what to tell the woman. He pointed to the Hastings Security logo on his shirt. “I am working at the moment. For everyone’s safety, I ask that you please leave me alone.”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “Nice disguise. I am reporting you.”
Dana got out of the pool holding Peter’s hand. She pointed to the bathroom.
“If you will excuse me.” Chris walked around her and over to Peter. He escorted him to the shared family bathroom and stood outside the door. The woman kept an eye on both of them as she used the wall phone to make a call.
A moment later, the hotel manager hurried into the pool area—the same manager Chris had met with a couple of hours earlier when they’d gone over the hotel’s security while the Ogilvies were at dinner. While the woman ranted and pointed, Peter exited the bathroom.
“Did you wash your hands?” Chris asked.
“But I’m going in the water.”
“Wash.”
Peter disappeared only long enough to run water over his hands. When he returned, the lady, still ranting, and the manger had moved their conversation closer to Chris.
“This man could be dangerous.”
Peter put his hands on his hips. “He is dangerous. He’s my bodyguard. He keeps bad people away. Are you bad people?”
The woman stood fish-faced for a moment before she sputtered her answer. “No. I am not.”
“Then leave him alone so we can stay and play.” Peter ran off to Dana’s beckoning arms.
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “Are you really that kid’s bodyguard?”
“Personal security, ma’am.”
“Well, I —” She turned to the hotel manager and then back to Chris before stomping off the best one can in flip-flops and a hotel robe.
The manager apologized and left. Chris resumed his post until Dana decided it was time for the kids to return to their room.
In the elevator, Dana whispered, “Next time wear a swimming suit. She’ll be too busy staring at your six pack to wonder why you aren’t swimming.”
