Page 44 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

“For years. It was fan-run, obsessive but legal. They stopped posting regularly after the breakup.”

“Do you know who ran it?” Cassidy asked.

“I never dealt with the administrator directly. Send the message to me and Rafi. I’ll find the old press contacts.”

Cassidy sent it while we were still on the call.

Tracy faced me. “This doesn’t mean Jesse’s involved.”

“I understand.”

“He hated what happened to the band, but he built a life. He doesn’t need someone punishing you on his behalf.”

“I won’t blame him for it.”

Her face softened. “Good. Keep it that way.”

After we ended the call, Cassidy finished her water and stood.

“Change for the walk.”

I gestured at my bare chest and gray shorts. “You don’t approve?”

“I approve of a shirt, navy board shorts, and slides.”

“I thought you enjoyed the current arrangement.”

“I enjoyed it when nobody had a camera.”

I changed.

Ten minutes later, Cassidy led me through the cottage’s controlled entrance. An SBS agent took the forward position while another remained near the property line. The quiet beachstretch began beyond a row of sea grapes where the resort traffic thinned and the boardwalk noise faded behind us.

The tide had pulled back, leaving a wide strip of firm wet sand. Small waves folded over one another beneath the morning sun. Cassidy walked on my right, close enough that our hands brushed once before she widened the space between us.

Her pale-blue tank brightened her eyes. Her secure braid moved against the back of her shoulders. She looked softer than she had during the crowd extraction and just as capable of putting me on the ground if I ignored a route change.

“You can hold my hand,” I said.

“I’m working.”

“Our hands touched.”

“The beach is uneven.”

“That’s the least romantic explanation available.”

“I’m protecting your expectations.”

I smiled, but it didn’t last.

Last night, I’d fallen asleep with Cassidy’s hand on my chest and no one telling me where to stand. By morning, one agent walked ahead, another covered the property behind us, and our return route had already been cleared.

Cassidy turned toward me. “You’re thinking too loudly again.”

“I’ve been told.”

“Do you want to tell me this time?”