I laughed. “I hear that a lot.”
We spent the next thirty-six hours providing protection for an actress in Dallas. She had her own full-time bodyguard, so our job included crowd control and securing any room she graced with her presence.
We didn’t have much time to talk, but I had plenty of time to think.
And a feisty brunette occupied most of my thoughts. Ashley’s anger was justified, and she wasn’t shy about making sure I knew it.Casper.I smiled. She’d used a lot of nicknames for people in Vegas, too. Back then she’d called me Angel because of her silly pickup line. I should’ve hated it, but her eyes always sparkled when she used it, making me love it.
“What’s so funny?” Jay’s voice asked over comms.
“Nothing.” I lied as I removed the smile from my face.
“Right.” I could see him near the entrance, scanning the room.
I had kitchen-door duty. Which meant I couldn’t avoid seeing and smelling the amazing food the servers carried. Steak, lobster, and a spicy pasta dish. It was making me hungry, and probably grumpier than usual.
“Just do your job, Grunt.” I used the nickname for soldiers in the Marines.
“Aye, aye, Uber.” He threw back the nickname the Marines gave the Navy.
I shook my head at the familiar banter. Jay and I would get along just fine. If he didn’t pester me about Ashley.
Back at the hotel, my Chicken Alfredo was less than satisfying as I scarfed my dinner before volunteering for the first shift of the night watch.
Standing in a hall for hours on end was boring as fuck, but I’d had worse jobs.
“Can I give you some friendly advice?” Jay asked during the drive back.
“No.”
He laughed. “Whatever happened between you and Ashley, apologize. Kiss her ass and make it right.”
“I said no.” I really didn’t want him or anyone else at SSI getting involved.
“I heard you.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“I know my dad and brothers talked to you. So you know that Ashley and Emily are tight, have been since grade school. And Meg adores her.”
“You gonna shut up about this anytime soon?”
“Soonish.” He grinned.
I flipped him off.
“Your bosses will be polite, but the girls—they’ll kick your ass.”
“Should I look for another job?” I tried to sound unconcerned, but he didn’t buy it.
“Not yet.”
“Noted.” I appreciated his brutal honesty, even if I didn’t like the message.
“Unfortunately for you, the cat’s out of the bag. Ashley told the girls all about the night you stood her up in Vegas.”
If only it were that simple.
Ashley had probably called me every name in the book after coming home. Given her penchant for comedic nicknames, I’d bet she’d made up a few too.
