“See you guys later,” Gino says.
I can tell he’s unsure—caught between wanting to show some kind of affection and not knowing if she’s ready for it yet. He hesitates, then does nothing.
Vanessa waves at both of them and walks out of the kitchen.
“I know she’s only been my sister for a few hours, but if something happens to her, I will kill you,” Gino says quietly.
I nod, but roll my eyes at the same time.
“I see I’m no longer important to you,” I reply flatly.
“Just go, you asshole.”
I leave the kitchen and meet Vanessa at the front door. As we walk outside, I can hear Juliet telling Gino how much of an idiot he is.
The drive back into the city takes about an hour. For the first half of it, we sit not speaking, listening to the radio. Vanessa scrolls on her phone, probably social media, until she lets out a quiet giggle.
It feels like an opening.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing. Just something I saw.”
“Can I see?”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You’re driving,” she says seriously.
“Right. So… are you okay?” I ask. “A lot happened today. Like, life-altering levels of a lot.”
She hesitates. “Uh, sure. I guess.”
“Okay.” I’m not sure what else to say.
We fall into a lull again for a few minutes before Vanessa asks, “Juliet mentioned you lived in the city. I didn’t realize bodyguards lived so far away from the people they’re supposed to protect.”
“I’m not a bodyguard,” I reply. “I’m a lawyer.”
She turns to me, clearly surprised. “Really?”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“I just never would’ve guessed, considering how we met. So why areyoumy bodyguard?” She gestures to herself.
“Your brother asked.”
“Do you listen to everything he says?” she asks.
“Yes. He’s my boss—and he’s my best friend.”
“Oh,” she says under her breath.
She goes quietagain for most of the drive.
As the city comes back into view, I finally speak. “I need to stop at my apartment first to grab a couple of things.”
“Sounds good. I’ll just stay in the car.”
“No,” I say, a little louder and more aggressively than I mean to.
