Gray wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes, so fans were happy to ogle him instead of Hayes.
Then, finally, it was time. The interview. Lights blinding, stage set, audience murmuring, all eyes on me. I stepped up, smoothed my skirt, and breathed deeply. Professional Luna, she could handle this.
The interviewer read my author bio and showed a copy of my latest book. Then the questions started. “Your fans are dying to know, Luna, what are you working on next?”
Writing had been part of my world for my entire life. Hayes had only been here a few days. I might not like him being gone, but I could still do what needed to be done. I cleared my throat. “I’ve been really inspired since I arrived in Texas. It is so beautiful here. I even got to ride a horse, which I had never done. I’m going to use that as inspiration in my next series.”
There, nailed it. No mention of bodyguards, not too much info, but enough to intrigue the crowd.
“Can you give us any more hints about what to expect from the characters?” My eyes shot sideways to where Hayes should be standing, then back to the crowd. “Well, you know me, the women will be quirky, the men will be alphas, and the spice will be hot.”
The crowd laughed.
“I’m not used to seeing you without your shadow. Where is the famous Hayes today?”
The crowd chuckled, and my throat instantly tightened.
I had answered the same question to at least a dozen fanstoday, but suddenly, I had a hard time explaining his absence.
“Oh, uh, Hayes?” I echoed, a half second too late.
I searched for a joke. Something easy. Something to fill the silence pressing in. Then my brain kicked in with a quick, easy line. “He’s around. I think I’m safe with this wonderful crowd of fans.”
A few people laughed and hooted. The moderator smiled and moved on.
I continued with the interview, but something in my chest twisted. I had been able to put on a public face and do what needed to be done, but saying the wordshe’s not herewas more than I could manage.
The questions kept coming, and I gave the best answers I could. I don’t think anyone could tell, but I felt off. As the questions continued, my palms started to sweat.
He wasn’t supposed to matter this much. He had made it clear where he stood in terms of dating a client. I had told myself I was okay with whatever came after this, but here I am sweating and distracted during the biggest event of my career.
Finally, the interviewer ran out of questions, and I stood to walk off the stage. I felt him before I saw him. That electric pull, the charged air.
Hayes was waiting beside the stage.
Chapter Eighteen
Hayes
The thing Gray needed from me turned out to be replacing him on a job.
“Quick job,” Gray had said. “Simple pickup. I was going to do it myself, but if it runs long, I’d be late for your romance writer.”
“Even though I won’t be guarding her, I’d like to be there for her. How long is this going to take?”
“A few hours. You’ll be back before breakfast unless something goes to shit.”
I’d said yes. The yes was a formality anyway. It was either I did the job or I guarded Luna.
It should’ve been easy. In and out, no risk, no drama. The best laid plans…
A simple retrieval turned into a twelve-hour mess of miscommunication and wrong timing. And because my phone was off—standard protocol for that kind of work—I couldn’t tellher.
By the time I was back at the hotel where the conference was, I knew her interview would have started.
Fuck, why didn’t I leave a note?
I entered the hall, and sure enough, I was right. She had just sat down for her interview, and she looked even more nervous than usual.
