Page 43 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

“I have something personal to tell you before today gets busy.”

Tracy’s expression sharpened. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m not hurt. Cassidy and I are involved.”

Across the table, Cassidy continued eating fruit.

Tracy shifted her attention from me to her. “Involved as in interested, or involved as in I need to understand whether this affects the security plan?”

“The second one,” I said. “It happened after the formal handoff. Cassidy reported it to Sloane this morning. She’s still leading the detail with added coverage.”

Tracy leaned back. “Thank you for telling me. I don’t need any other details.”

“That’s disappointing. I prepared a presentation.”

Cassidy pointed her fork at me. “You didn’t.”

“I had an outline.”

“You had nothing.”

Tracy pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m already sorry I answered.”

“You’re taking this well,” I said.

“I’ve spent years asking you to tell me the truth before I learn it from a photograph.” She turned to Cassidy. “Are you comfortable continuing?”

“I’m comfortable continuing,” Cassidy said. “The coverage plan protects the detail and gives me required relief periods. If the relationship interferes with my judgment or Shane’s cooperation, Sloane changes the assignment.”

“Good. That’s all I need.”

Cassidy set down her fork. “You also need the Friday update. You weren’t on the patio call.”

Tracy’s expression changed. “What happened?”

“A diner took a real photograph at The Salty Spoon,” I said. “Someone reposted it as an informal appearance and sent fans to the restaurant.”

“The entrance compressed before we left through the service exit,” Cassidy said. “Nobody was hurt.”

“While we were at soundcheck, someone left fresh photographs of the extraction on my patio,” I said.

Cassidy lifted her phone. “The note said, ‘Cancel Saturday. Stop hiding behind her. Jesse deserved this comeback.’”

Tracy didn’t speak.

Her eyes narrowed.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Say that last sentence again.”

“Jesse deserved this comeback,” Cassidy said.

Tracy leaned closer to the screen. “I should’ve connected this sooner. Every message makes your comeback sound like something you stole from Jesse. There’s a Jesse archive that used to post side-by-side concert clips. It paired clips of you at center stage with clips highlighting Jesse’s guitar work and songs. Their slogan was ‘Shane had the spotlight. Jesse made the music.’”

I put down my toast.

“You’ve seen it before?”