“Umm, Mom… You’re in love with someone else, don’t even live in the house with Dad, and now he might go to prison for the rest of his life.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Which part?”
“Your father is not going to prison. He didn’t do the things the government is accusing him of.”
I honestly wasn’t sure if my mother was that naïve, or if she needed to believe that to get through this. Either way, we were on a line that could easily be tapped, so it wasn’t a conversation we should be having.
“I need to pack and book my flight,” I told her. “I’ll text you the info when I have it.”
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll see you soon.”
A little while later, I had my flight booked and took out my suitcase. Before I started packing, I texted my travel information to my mom. She responded almost immediately.
Mom: I’ll pass it along to your extra security so they can travel with you.
I closed my eyes.Whatever. Some extra goon could sit a row or two away from me, and I’d just ignore him like always.
After a whirlwind of preparation, I was on my way to the airport with Tommy. He looked in the rearview mirror, catching my eye. “Your new security detail is meeting you at the terminal. Boss wants Eddie to stay out here and take care of a few things. I’ll park the car and meet you at the gate.”
I sighed. “Great.”
He smiled, and that was the last we spoke until we pulled up at the airport. Tommy turned back toward me as I got out. “I’ll see you in a bit, Ms. G. Hope you like your new security detail.”
“Trust me,” I mumbled as I gathered my things, sliding across the backseat to exit on the curb side. “I won’t.”
“We’ll see about that.”
The rear passenger door opened, and a man held his hand out to me. Instead of taking it, I climbed out on my own—only to be met by a familiar smirk.
“I was only offering my hand, sweetheart. Not my dick.”
My mouth dropped open. “Wes? What are you doing here?”
“Your mother hired me as your security.”
CHAPTER 34
Wes
“I don’t have to take the gig if you don’t want me to,” I assured her. “Just say the word, and I’ll leave.” My heart pounded as I waited for her response.
Please don’t tell me to leave.
Please don’t tell me to leave.
It felt like years that I stood there anticipating her answer while people rolled their luggage by us.
“Okay. Yeah.” Her expression softened. “Better than a stranger.”
Juliette’s smile seemed genuine. It included her eyes, which was always my gauge.God, I love her.
As we checked in and went through security, Juliette and I stole glances at each other. When she smiled at me again, relief settled in my gut. The smile thing was becoming a trend. For the first time in a long time, I felt hope that this situation was turning around. Maybe she could forgive me.
On the flight to New York, I looked out at the clouds from my window seat, which was fitting, since at themoment I felt on top of the world. Juliette said she preferred the aisle, which I didn’t really understand. Tommy sat behind us, so I got the seat next to Juliette. Pretty sure by now Tommy knew what was up between her and me. I kept noticing the way he watched us, and I wondered if Juliette had spoken to him. At the very least, he’d watched me plant that freaking garden exhibition outside her house in LA. That had to have given my feelings away.
It was later in the day, yet I’d opted for a coffee when the beverage cart came around, and the caffeine had made me totally buzzed. Juliette had opted for a glass of wine, and I wondered about its effect on her.
