Dropping The Ball - A New Year’s Billionaire Romance - Weston Parker Page 0,20
my shiny new bodyguard, but it shouldn’t be a problem for us to meet up more often.”
“I can’t believe you’ve actually finally gotten a guard,” she said as we walked toward the park. “When does he start?”
“Tonight.” I toyed with the zipper on my jacket, thinking back to our meeting. “I’m a little nervous about it actually. He’s going to be living in my house with me.”
“Jules told me. It’s for the best for now.” Her breath formed little puffs of white air while she spoke. I didn’t know why, but it was one of the things I loved about winter. “You’ve met the guy they’re sending, right? What’s he like? If you’re not comfortable having him live with you, I’m sure you could get someone else.”
“It’s not that. We actually got along great. There were no awkward pauses. I didn’t feel like he was judging me and thinking I was silly for wanting security, and he seems to have a sense of humor.”
“What’s bothering you then?”
We stopped to stretch at the beginning of the trail, Tani half-turning so she could still face me as we dipped down.
“I wouldn’t say it’s bothering me, but there’s just something really familiar about him.”
She chewed on the inside of her cheek, her eyes lifting toward the gray sky as she thought. “You’ve never had a guard before, right? Maybe it’s that. Maybe he’s worked security for something for you before.”
“Nope. I’ve never had private security for anything. Not even for the big events and stuff. I have no clue why he seems familiar, but it can’t be that.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” She nudged me just before we took off. “Maybe he’s just got one of those faces.”
“He has a gorgeous face, but not in that generic way that makes me think I’ve seen it somewhere before when I haven’t.”
We kept an easy pace. Neither of us was training for a marathon or looking to outrun the other. One of the best things about this time we had together was the girl-talk. We didn’t make having it impossible by pushing ourselves too hard.
“A gorgeous face, huh?” She waggled her brows at me. “Tell me more about this gorgeous face.”
I felt my cheeks heating up, and it wasn’t because I was exerting myself. “It’s nothing. He’s just really good looking. I have no idea how I’m going to sleep with him just down the hall without thinking about things I shouldn’t.”
“Better stock up on batteries on your way home,” she teased. “What’s he look like? It’s been a while since I’ve met someone that made me think of things like that.”
“I’m pretty sure Carter will make anyone with a pulse think of things like that. If you look up Tall, Dark, and Handsome in the dictionary, you should find a picture of him there.”
“Ooo, I like Tall, Dark, and Handsome. I’m also kind of grateful it’s not my house he’s moving into. It’s been way too long for me to have a hot guy who I actually get along with under my roof.”
“You’re telling me.” I reached up to wrap my ponytail around itself. Cold or not, it was getting a little too hot to have my hair on my neck. It’s not just because I’m thinking and talking about Carter. It’s not.
I nearly rolled my eyes at myself. Yeah, right. Of course, the sudden heat in your entire body has nothing to do with him.
“What am I going to do?” I groaned. “Except for buying batteries. That’s a really good plan, but will it be enough? Maybe I should invest in a new lock for the guest-room door so he can guard himself from my libido.”
She burst out laughing. “At least you know everything is still working, right? I distinctly remember you saying a couple of months ago that you were sure your hymen had grown back and you didn’t even care.”
“True. How is it that you always manage to find a silver lining?”
Turning to jog backward, she shot me a wink before facing the path again. “It’s a talent. This guy is with you until at least New Year’s, right?”
“Right. I’m going to be facing the holidays with a stranger. Where’s the silver lining in that? Please tell me you can find it.”
“I can think of at least ten Christmas movies where holidays with a stranger who’s no longer a stranger by Christmas works out pretty darn well.”
“If only my life was a Christmas movie,” I pretended to lament. “Unfortunately, it’s