Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
“Well, we appreciate your service,” Paul says. “I’m sure everybody says that.”
I chuckle. “They do. But it’s still nice to hear.”
Rachel lets her heel drop to the floor of the car and leans over the center console to take her husband’s hand like she’s teasing him or playing with him. He smiles at her, and I can’t help it as my thoughts are instantly drawn to Sadie.
Paul and Rachel—happily together since college and now married. Such a perfect romance.
But I guess you think because yours wasn’t perfect you don’t deserve happiness, Sadie?
I thought I’d manage to shake her from my mind, but now as I sit in front of these two and see how blissful they are, the first thing I think of is her.
How long is it going to take to free my thoughts from her? I need to be able to do my job, and I can’t do that if I’m constantly thinking of her.
I glance in the rear view to make sure the follow truck is behind us. It is, and I see Logan and Ryan in the front seats with their eyes on our car. Chances are they’re running their mouths about Sadie and me like a couple of teenage girls, but they’ll be alert, ready and professional. Nothing will happen to the Thortons on our watch.
“Well, Jake. We’re probably going overboard hiring you guys for security tonight,” Paul says with a smile. “But I think Rachel and I both feel much more at ease tonight having you and your guys along for the ride.”
I nod and smile back. “I appreciate your business. And you should both absolutely feel at ease. Nothing will happen while we’re around.”
Paul glances at his wife one more time, and again, there’s that smile. It really feels like there’s something going on that I don’t know about, but I just keep my mouth shut. It’s not my job to ask questions. It’s my job to keep these two safe, and that’s all I’m going to do.
I make small talk with the happily married couple for the rest of the ride to the museum. Once we arrive, I get out and join Ryan and Logan on the steps to make sure the area is clear of threats before letting the VIPs step out of the car.
The event is busy, but the crowd is very clearly low on the threat level, so Ryan, Logan, and I make our way inside with the Thortons and take our positions on the outskirts of the crowd. It’s our job to remain out of the way and not intrude on the proceedings but still observe and ensure the security of the event.
The exhibit seems to be some kind of sculpture made from a mold-green colored material that I definitely do not have the artistic ability to appreciate. But the guests seem to be fawning all over it and chatting among themselves about how great it is, so Rachel must be great at what she does putting tonight’s event together.
“Looks like cat food,” Logan whispers to me as he passes on one of his loops around the room. I try to hide my smirk, but he definitely notices and chuckles under his breath.
It feels good to be back on the job, but try as I might, I can’t keep my mind off her.
Sadie.
What is she doing right now? Is she back at the house? Is she at work too?
If I had to guess, I’d bet she took on as many shifts as possible, not just for the extra money, but to avoid me. She probably still thinks that I’ll be trying to fight for her.
Sorry, Sadie, but that ship has sailed.
Now all I have to do is get used to the fact that I have to live next to her for the foreseeable future. That should be doable; all I need is a plan. But right now, I have to focus on what’s in front of me, and what’s in front of me is this job.
The Thortons.
“Focus, Jake. You have a job to do.”
41
Jake
The night goes off without a hitch. Everyone at the museum seems impressed with the artist’s sculptures, and Ryan, Logan, and I do our jobs just like we’re supposed to.
The three hours we’re scheduled for does seem to go by a lot slower than it should, though, and I attribute that to how scattered my mind is and how hard it is for me to remain focused.
No matter how hard I try to think of anything else but her, Sadie keeps slipping into my thoughts. I try to think of my time in the service, old friends, old jobs, my favorite movies—but none of it helps. No matter how hard I try to deny it, it’s still quite clear: Sadie still has a hold on me.