Page 20 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
I pass her my phone so she can see the blacked-out figure for herself. He’s carrying a teddy bear clearly dressed in a red wig and some sort of girly outfit.It’s creepy as fuck.Everyone knits her eyebrows together, squinting to try to see better.
“That, well, that’s weird,” she says.
It puts a sour taste in my mouth too.
“My guys are sweeping the property now to ensure the guy didn't pull anything. Should be an all-clear soon. In the meantime, we can wait at a nearby coffee place,” I say gently, noticing that Everly is chewing her lip raw.
“I’ll get you an iced Americano, splash of coconut milk,” I offer, remembering the barista said she liked that drink. She gives me a weak smile and tucks her hair behind her ears.
I haven’t told Everly yet, but this news means we need to be even more vigilant. This means our stalker pal is escalating to making in-person visits.Ballsy move.
Everly doesn't say a word the whole walk to grab coffee while we wait. Even though before I was wishing she’d be quiet, right now I’d do anything to have her jabber on happily to me.
A new determination sets in to make damn sure that we find this creep.
EVERLY
Ireview the resumes scattered across my desk and sigh. None of these assistant applicants seem like a good fit so far. Too stuffy or awkward… I need someone fun if they'll be by my side.
Cole enters, staring steely at the waiting interviewees lined up in the hall through the open door.Ever the friendly bodyguard,I think sarcastically.
I stand to greet him with a tense smile, trying to hide my annoyance that he invited himself to help vet my new team member. I told him I was perfectly capable of selecting my new assistantalone. I’d been doing pretty good so far with handling things myself, and I don’t need him or anyone butting in. But arguing is pointless — security concerns override everything for him, social media growth,and my own sanity, be damned.
“Thanks for joining,” I tell him through gritted teeth. “Let's get started.”
The first candidate, Amanda, enters nervously, adjusting her ill-fitting suit. As we exchange pleasantries, I notice she seems to shrink under Cole's piercing gaze, though she has media coordinator experience.
I try asking questions to put her at ease about creating content together. But Amanda's answers feel stilted and bland. When Cole cuts in to grill her in tactical assessment mode, the poor girl practically bolts from the office.
I huff in frustration after the door closes.
“Seriously? You're going to scare off anyone fun at this rate! I don't need a second bodyguard — I need someone lively and creative. Chemistry matters too if they'll be in my space constantly, you know?”
Cole levels an unmoved look in my direction.
“With your profile, trust and security credentials should be the priority. Not whether they're entertaining enough for the camera.” His no-nonsense tone brooks no argument.This is going to be a long day.He’s lounges lazily on the desk across from me on his phone.
I bite my tongue, knowing rebutting Cole won't change his mindset. I sneak irritated glances at Cole while he's distracted.Why does he have to look so damn good all the time?That infuriating face could cut glass — all wolfish stubble, flashing eyes.
While he’s relaxed right now scanning his phone, I hate that his penetrating scowl just intensifies his magnetism.
Sure those laser green eyes and carved Roman bone structure are objectively gorgeous. But Cole stays stubbornly closed offdespitemy efforts at befriending him. And I refuse to pine after emotionally stunted men again. I am done with robots. The next man I fall for, I want it to be something real.
Fantasy flings arethe lastcomplication needed with my bodyguard.Personal security, Coles velvety deep-voice corrects inside my head. My eyes widen, and I look over to him to check he didn’t speak. Nope.Oh God.He’s inside my head now. I glare at him as I shuffle some papers around. How dare he find his way into my head? I decide, thissmall, tiny, minuscule crushmust go no further. Yes, he is hot, but he is not relationship material and definitely not hookup material. He isofflimits.
We proceed through three more candidates, all vetoed by my overcautious sentinel despite their social media savvy. Harmless nerdy Andrew got accused of “suspicious credentials.” Perky lifestyle vlogger Sara was too “flighty” apparently. Even Ivy League grad Jessie with multiple internships raised paranoid security flags in Cole's mind.
By the last rejection from Cole, I'mpissed. This whole process is a waste of time. This is exactly why I wanted to do this myself. I don’t need help from anyone to choose my new assistant. Especially from myinsufferablenew right-hand man.
As the door shuts behind a shaken Jessie, I round on Cole.
“Okay, enough! You've found some barely plausible reason to torpedo every qualified assistant so far. But newsflash — I need help growing my brand, which requires actually hiring a real, flawed human at some point!”
Cole crosses his arms, unmoved by my outburst.
“Every candidate would increase your exposure and access. Unacceptable vulnerabilities.” His gravelly voice allows no debate.
I throw my hands in the air wildly. “Well, according to your standards, that leaves me one choice — handling everything by myself indefinitely! Sorry to inform you, Mr. Overprotective, but I already have a manager for strategic guidance. What I need is an assistant to make creating contentfunagain, not more strict supervision.”
