Page 12 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
Watching a few clips of Everly confirms to me that she won’t be any different. She signs off every single one of her videos with a kiss to the audience and coos, “Have a beautiful day out there. The universe is on your side.”
Yeah, right.If that’s true, the universe must think I deserve areally shitty side.
When I received a call from the big boss saying he had an important job for me to start instantly, I thought it might be for a politician he knows, maybe someone high up, someone with lots of power and status. My last position was for Alexander Martinez, yes,theAlex Martinez, the superstar CEO of StellarTech industries who frequently traveled internationally.
Alex had praised me highly for my work, boasting that I was the best security he had ever worked with. It was a sentiment that all my previous clients had echoed, offering me various degrees of praise. So I don’t consider it egotistical to assume that I have earned the right andshouldbe working for someone important.
Yet, here I am on may way to babysit an influencer. By the way, I had to google what that even meant. Turns out it’s a “digitally savvy individual who leverages their online presence, often on social media platforms, to cultivate a dedicated following and wield influence over their audience's preferences, opinions, and purchasing decisions.” Riiight, so a glorified “IT” girl.
I crack my pack and toss the dossier into my backpack. Time to get over there and begin working with Everly Ford,the new red-haired pain in my ass.
Everly assuresme that the locks were changed and new security has been fitted correctly, but I check it all anyway.
She shows me to the spare room and where I’ll be staying for the duration of the assignment. Standing at a respectable 5’ 7”, Everly exudes an air of self-assurance that would make most people green with envy.
I survey the area, and my stomach drops –you have got to be kidding me.It looks like a scene from a teen movie. The walls are painted a fiery pink, and the bed is covered in pillows. There is a heap of clothing on the floor and a vanity table covered in cosmetics. With my jaw clenched, I continue surveying the room.
“Sorry about the mess.” She blushes slightly. “I don’t usually have any guests and didn’t have time to clean while you were out packing.” I glanced at her noticing a flicker of embarrassment in her eyes.
I chuckle lightly, hoping to ease the tension. “Well, it’s…something. It's… pink.” I try to hide the disdain.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I like pink.” She walks over to the window, and her auburn hair catches in the light. I watched as it shines like molten copper from her shoulders. I can’t help but notice that it’s slightly more red than brown in this light. “And I guess I don’t usually have many male guests.”
I’d seen the headlines on my way here:
“Ford Is at It Again with Mystery Stud”
Fitness guru Everly Ford was spotted getting cozy with a hunky new guy outside trendy hotspot Claw. Is the serial dater on the hunt again just days after ending her whirlwind fling with actor Chase Cameron? Sources say this romance-revving social media star burns through boyfriends faster than spin-class calories.
“From D-Lister to Hip Hop Star: Ford Shows Off Latest Arm Candy”
Gym mogul Everly Ford continues her apparent romantic world tour, this time with rapper/producer GP King. The notoriously unlucky-in-love Instagram darling just finalized a messy split from reality star Brock Lovett last week. Will cocky King actually manage to tie down this fitness phenom?
“Sorry, Fellas, Ford's Back to Playing the Field”
Weightloss wunderkind Everly Ford seems to have moved on swiftly from golf pro and ex-flame Ryan Fox. She was spotted partying up a storm in Vegas with a new mystery stud by her side. No rest for the romantic when you're this bold-faced babe! Here's betting America's Sweetheart of Sweat burns through this boyfriend in no time.
I snort involuntarily.The notion that she doesn’t have men over seems highly unlikely. And my theory is that one of these men is likely our guy behind the threats. Everly glares at me, picking up on my reaction. I try to hide it with a cough, but it’s futile.Fuck. Her eyes narrow at me.
I cringe, chastising myself for reacting thoughtlessly. My mother raised me to respect women andnot insinuate that they are promiscuous.
The breezy atmosphere between us evaporates. Everly crosses her arms as she stalks across the room to the door. Her mouth presses into a tense line.
“So, everything you need is in your bathroom.” The earlier warmth gone from her voice. “And help yourself to whatever you find in the kitchen.” She gestures vaguely toward the back of the house. Shame heats my neck. My eyes search the feminine space and fall on one of the fluffy pink pillows on the bed.How can I make amends?
Everly notices my lingering attention, her brow furrows, and irritation flashes across her face.
“Problem?” She lifts her chin.
“No, it’s great. Just…like I said, pink,” I repeat my earlier sentiment, unsure what else to say.
She eyes me. “Well, it’sfinefor people who are secure in their masculinity. Iapologizethat my personal guest room doesn’t live up to your standards.” Her voice drips with sarcasm. I resist the urge to grin.I want to tease her further to hear more of what her smart mouth might say.
“Well, I’m going to spend the rest of the day filming. I’ll send you the content before I post it. I won’t be leaving the house, so you can tinker on with the new fancy security system.”
She opens and closes her mouth, considering her next words.
“And, Cole? Don’t make assumptions about me based on whatever gossip tabloids you’ve read, ‘kay? I think you should be grown up enough by now not to believe everything you read.” She turns on her heel and walks out.
