Page 28 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
I chuckle deeply at her despite the lingering tightness in my chest. Lew would’ve liked Everly, I realize suddenly. The two of them would have gotten on well, probably getting into all sorts of mischief.
“I mean, come on, Cole. Look at where we are!” The orange sunrise crests behind us illuminating the swaying palms in golden light.
I grin reluctantly at Everly's positive attitude, the gloom around my heart easing slightly. I admire how easily she was able to brush off the situation in Miami. She seems completely relaxed here, if only a little nervous about her shoot later.
The beach is beautiful and quiet, since we are up before most other people. If we were here under different circumstances, you could consider this romantic. But instead we’re here because some psycho is threatening to chop off one of EvBear’s limbs with a knife. An icy chill washes over me.
“You know, I figured hiring a super serious bodyguard might make for rather dull company,” Everly muses. She slants a sly look my way. “But it seems you've gotsomestories to tell if I poke around enough.”
I snort, not bothering to correct her. I’ve learned that calling me her bodyguard is one of Everly’s many ways of teasing me.
“I suppose social isolation makes me seem…serious. But trust comes slowly in my line of work. Discretion is important when protecting high-profile clients.”
She bobs her head, ponytail sashaying. “Oh, I get it, gotta maintain that inscrutable man-in-black allure. But like I've said before, you can still behumaneven on the job.” Everly bumps my shoulder playfully. “This muscly robot act might work on others but I see through it now.”
I raise a brow but don't argue. We continue along the waterline for a few paces before I blurt out, “You remind me of him sometimes. My…” I hesitate. For some, reason I lie to her. I don’t feel comfortable telling her I lost my brother. I can’t bear to see that familiar look of pity in her eyes. Not from Everly. “My…uh, friend Lewis. He had that same light around him that you do...made everyone feel at ease, like anything was possible.”
I keep my eyes fixed ahead, throat tightening. “Even when situations looked hopeless, Lew would crack some ridiculous joke. Said it was each man’s duty to bring up his friends around him because, ‘Lord knows there isn’t much else you got.’”
I risk a sidelong glance to find Everly watching me intently. She smiles. “He sounds like my kinda people. I wish I could've met this dude.” Her face softens in understanding. “Hey, Cole, thanks for opening up,” she adds gently.
I take a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
Her low tone sends a warmth around me. It’s getting to harder and to remind myself that there is no room for personal entanglements that might cloud professional judgment.Never fall for a client.
We prepare to turn back toward the hotel when a nearby motorboat's engine shatters the tranquility with a backfire. I'm immediately stepping in front of Everly, scanning for the source through tight forearms before I even register moving. She places a gentle hand on my tensed bicep.
“Just an old boat, soldier,” Everly murmurs. “Stand down.”
My adrenaline spike fades sheepishly as the sputtering craft putts harmlessly by. I force rigid muscles to uncoil despite instincts screaming to neutralize the harmless threat. Too many ghosts on this cursed beach dredged up by my own lack of discipline.
With deep measure, I meet Everly's patient gaze, finding only compassion there. “Apologies. Force of habit remaining alert to danger.”
Her eyes crinkle knowingly. “And here I thought you were just angling to show off these guns more.” She gives my arm a playful squeeze before breezing ahead. “C'mon, last one back is a rotten egg!”
Professionalism preventsme from complimenting how the delicate sundress caresses Everly’s frame, showing off her curves in all the right places. I sense her nerves the instant she steps onto the bustling beach, a megawatt smile firmly in place but slender hands twisting anxiously at her waist. It's her first major branded shoot, and I know this is a big deal to her. She fidgets with the hem of her sundress as more crew members gather.
My vigilance spikes as the creative director saunters over, and I immediately dislike the man. He's has an air of superiority about him, an arrogant thirty-something who eyes Everly's curves too freely. Introducing himself as John, he proceeds to air-kiss both her cheeks with a presumptuous familiarity that makes me glower at him.
As more crew focus the spotlights and camera, I sink into the shadows. Keeping my gaze half fixed on Everly and half on the busy area around us. Despite jittery hands, she looks effortlessly beautiful while greeting wardrobe and makeup, her smile infecting those around her. A territorial pride sparks in me as other men stare. Then I smooth my stormy expression before she glimpses anything but calm capability in my gaze.
Eyes narrowing, I scan perimeter defenses and evacuation routes should any trouble arise. Thankfully, the primary concern here is unwanted paparazzi. We’re far enough away from Miami that it’s unlikely the stalker will have followed her here.
“Welcome, everyone!” John greets with an oily grin, shaking hands. “Great to finally meet thefamousEverly Ford.” His eyes trail her lingeringly and his tone is a little patronizing. Everly’s smile falters, and I clench my fists.
“We'resothrilled you could make it on short notice,” a woman chimes far too eagerly. “This is going to be amazing!”
I scrutinize the group. They seem harmless enough. But if one of them so much astouchesa hair on her head, they will regret ever being born.
John's gaze finds me, lip curling dismissively. “So you drew bodyguard duty, huh? Don't let usimportanttalent distract you from the whole...lurking menacingly thing.” He flashes a smug wink at me.
“Pleasure,” I greet him, my voice ice cold. I'll be glad once this whole shoot is over.
Pleasantries quickly give way to the shoot preparations, and Everly moves into position before the cameras, blinking wildly under the scrutiny of so many calculating gazes.
I ache to intervene somehow, provide a reprieve from the spotlight that followed her here. But this test IS inevitable with the life she's chosen, for better or worse. Now we see if she can truly own the responsibility of “celebrity” thrust upon her. It's interesting that she is so comfortable when she is the one holding the camera, but she is clearly not used to taking instructions or being watched by anyone else.
I clench my jaw as the creative director, John, bellows yet another petty criticism. I force myself to resist storming over and informing him exactly where he can stick his patronizing tone as he continues berating Everly to contort herself ever more unnaturally.What sort of woman is more likely to buy a dress because the model is breaking her back to look good in it?
