FOREST
I was supposed to have first day of work jitters, but I didn’t. Instead, I had a nervous stomach because Sheldon spent yesterday in my apartment and most of the night. He left this morning before I got up. There was a note on my nightstand about him needing to get back to work. It wasn’t a surprise, given who employed him. Jordan could call him at any time.
What surprised me was the knock on my door as I was about to leave. I opened it to find Kayli on the other side.
“Hi,” I said, confused as to why she was here.
She eyed me up and down, her shoulder-length blond hair falling forward slightly as she did so. “You’re wearing that to work at a garage?”
Glancing down, I took in my loafers, black slacks, and baby-blue button-down. “What? I’m not wearing a tie or a jacket. I thought this was a nice middle ground.”
“Sure, whatever you say.”
“No, you don’t. Should I change?” Now I was nervous. What if what I wore was wrong? They didn’t give me a dress code per se, just told me to wear something other than pajamas. “I’m not working on cars.”
“I guess that makes sense then. So you’re not going to get under the hood or change oil or anything like that?”
I shook my head. “It’s an office job.”
“Okay, that’s more like it. I was only told to go to work with you at JJ’s shop.” Going to work with…
“Why would you go with me?” Before she could answer, I said, “Sheldon.”
“Bingo. At least you’re sharp this morning. Sheldon looked well rested too.” She winked.
Oh my god. My face immediately heated. “We didn’t… We aren’t…”
“It’s okay. Whatever you do or don’t do with him is between you two. I’m just glad to see him more alive and not in his usual morning zombie state. You ready to go? I have to get you there on time.”
“I’m capable of taking myself there.”
“Sure, but with me here, you don’t need to. I have the Nav parked out back.” Did Jordan have an unlimited fleet of Lincoln Navigators?
Instead of fighting her, because I’d lose, I grabbed my wallet, keys, and phone and headed for the door. I could have brought a briefcase and looked like I had shit inside it, but there was no point. I had nothing to take with me since Keith said everything would be there.
Once I was seated inside the SUV, I asked, “Are you staying with me all day?”
“Yup. Fun times for us both.” She pulled out onto the street, merging with the morning rush-hour traffic.
Kayli was someone who was underestimated, not by Jordan or his guards, but by those who didn’t know her. She was at least four inches shorter than me and lean. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink short-sleeved shirt, she didn’t look intimidating at all.I’d seen her in action in Jordan’s gym though. I knew what she was capable of.
“Are you coming with me every day?” I asked. I could cope better if I knew what I was dealing with. I wasn’t used to having a guard with me like my brother and Vail were.
“I have no idea. I got a call this morning saying I was to take you to work, stay with you, then drive you home, where I would be relieved of my duty by your boyfriend.”
I coughed and spluttered. “He’s not… We haven’t…” Shouldn’t Sheldon and I have this conversation instead of me having it with Kayli? We didn’t speak about who we were to each other, only that there was something between us, and Sheldon was willing to take it as slow as I wanted. I wasn’t sure how slow I wanted to go. Everything felt brand new.
“Calm down,” she said and patted my thigh. “I’m only fucking with you. I wanted to see how you’d react. God, you’re cute when you get flustered. Too bad I didn’t catch your eye. Then again, you’re the boss’s partner’s brother, so that’s pretty much off-limits for me. I have enough to deal with without adding a work complication.” I hadn’t even thought about Jordan having an issue with Sheldon and me being together.
“Shit, do you think he’s upset about Sheldon spending time with me?”
She chuckled. “No. Sheldon’s been pining for you for a long time. Jordan’s probably happy you two are finally doing something about it. Sheldon isn’t always the easiest to work with. He’s a moody fucker, even though he tries to hide it under a sea of calm. He’s good at it, mind you, but I see through it.”
“I’m still not sure how he does it. I wouldn’t be able to stay that relaxed in the situations he’s in.”
“Believe me, he’s the only one with that level of skill. It’s wild to see him in action.” It made my stomach knot to think aboutSheldon out there in danger, where anyone could hurt him, and him staying calm the entire time.
“How did he convince Jordan to put a guard on me? I’m not anyone Jordan should worry about. There aren’t any active threats against his family currently.”
