Kaylin nodded solemnly. “Look, it’s not that big of a deal. That’s how I met Rusty—remember that patient I did surgery on who turned out to be a total creep?”
Natalie nodded; she remembered Kaylin’s stalker well. Her fear of that happening to her was one of the reasons she’d forgiven Gavin for cheating on her around the time that Kaylin had been targeted; better to be with a not-so-good boyfriend than totally alone, right? She should have known better.
“How many people who end up in the ER after being attacked by a partner would have said ‘they’d never hurt me’ just a day or two before? I don’t want you to end up like that. I don’t trust him one bit.” Kaylin took another sip of her water, almost spilling it. She always ate fast; her job didn’t give her much time for savoring.
“You never did in the first place.”
“He never earned it,” Kaylin said. “He’s always tried to tell you what you can do, who you can hang out with. You think he’ll leave you alone now?
Natalie’s phone lit up again, the glow illuminating the dark paneling of the restaurant’s walls.
“I can’t afford a bodyguard,” Natalie said. “I’m not Rihanna.”
Kaylin looked up excitedly. “No charge. It’s on the house. Friends and family discount. All you have to do is agree. Once you feel safe again, we can call it off. Besides, you’ll never even know he’s there.”
“Rusty has foreign presidents and pop stars to protect. Why would he want to waste a few weeks following me around?”
“Keeping you safe is not a waste of time.” Kaylin moved her drink to let the waiter set her plate. She pushed it across the table. “Eat some.” She shoved three of the fries in her mouth at a time, cheese dripping down her fingers. “I’m never going to fit into my costume this weekend. I’m so bloated. But, it’s worth it.”
“Keeping me safe? Bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
“Is it? Gavin’s been acting like a psycho since you broke up with him.”
“He’s under a lot of stress,” Natalie said. “New club opening and all . . . ”
“That’s total BS! Normal people don’t act how he does.”
Natalie sighed, searching the old newspaper clippings and photos on the wall for a segue to change the subject. “I don’t know if I can make it to the con,” Natalie said. “I just got home. I still need to unpack.”
“You can’t ditch me!” Kaylin picked a piece of bacon off the fries and ate it. “I’ve had your costume ready for weeks. You’re going to be the hottest rebel fighter in the galaxy.”
“You need another cat,” Natalie said, jokingly. “You spend way too much time with needles and threads.”
“Maybe.” Kaylin set a fry on the edge of Natalie’s salad. “You’re not backing out, though. Rusty can’t go this weekend, and it’s not as fun alone. And besides, you’re changing the subject.”
“Fine. I’ll go.”
Kaylin checked her phone. “Shoot, I have to get back.” She shoved a handful of fries in her mouth and began to talk, covering her face with her hand. “Colt is new and needs the experience. You’d be doing him a favor.”
“Colt?”
“Yeah, from the unit. He’s new to the RGS team and hasn’t done private security in the civilian sector before. You’d be good practice for him. Gavin couldn’t touch you with Colt around. And Rusty and I would sleep better at night, knowing that asshat couldn’t try anything.”
“You want Colt to follow me around 24/7?”
“Not at work,” Kaylin said. “We have other security there.”
“So, every second of every minute that I’m not at work?”
“That’s how it works. He doesn’t mind a nightshift. Rusty already talked to him.”
Natalie almost choked on her tea. “When?”
“I don’t know. An hour ago?”
“He can’t be my bodyguard.”
“Why not?”
