Page 27 of The Bodyguard's Fall

His eyes were still narrowed on me when I asked, “Where are you going?”

As if he’d just found a way to get back at me, he smirked and, bounding down the stairs, he called out, “That’s classified.”

I watched him go with a pang of dread in my gut and visions of him meeting up with a woman somewhere. I pushed it aside and reminded myself that ours was a relationship of the counterfeit variety. He didn’t owe me anything. I’d dropped into his life out of nowhere–if he wanted to go on a date, who was I to stop him? As long as he kept it quiet and it didn’t ruin our cover, it would have to be fine.

At least, I assumed that was what he was dressed up for.

That evening, I was tucked away in my room, pajama-clad with my hair in a messy bun. My laptop sat open, and the depressing blank screen mocked me.

I should have been typing.

Instead, I grabbed my phone.

Me: Hey, girls. It’s Liv. I’m at the Walkers. I got a new number.

Reese: Hey! Good! I’ve tried calling your old number and was getting worried.

Me: Sorry, Will got me another burner.

Ari: YAY. About time you’re here. How’s Tate?

Me: What? How did you know?

Ari: Who else would be watching you?

Me: Did you know he’d moved back?

Ari: Maybe…

Me: Ugh. Will made me think it was the whole Walker family EXCEPT Tate watching me.

Reese: This is the BEST news ever.

Ari: So…just curious…are you staying with Tate in his room…or???

Me: NO. I’m staying with the WALKER FAMILY. In a PRIVATE room next door to Tate’s. This feels like a very important distinction you both need…distinctified.

Ari: Why do I secretly love this? Not the stalking part, but everything else. Feels like old times. Feels like Reese and I were right, and you owe us an apology.

Me: Not happening.

Ari: I’m still not convinced he didn’t like you.

Reese: SAME. Guys don’t obsess over their friend’s little sister’s safety without good reason.

Me: Pretty sure he thinks I’m his sister too. There’s your reason. ANYWAY. Ari, how’s teaching and life in the land of Landrie’s wedding plans?

Ari: Teaching is…fine. The wedding plans are…fine. I’m busy at school, so I try to keep my head down as much as possible.

Me: Are there any teachers that rival the hotness of Mr. Baker?

I was convinced that every school had someone young and attractive that all the students crushed on. Back when Ari and Reese and I were in high school, Mr. Baker, teacher of chemistry and science, had been ours.

Ari: HA. No comment.

Me: Um. You always have a comment. WHAT?

Reese: Spill. Now!