“You’re comfortable around each other,” Mom agreed, giving her wife a sideways smile. “It’s nice.”
I sank into one of the dining room chairs. “Yeah, okay. I won’t deny it.”
“Aww!” Alex said. “Our little brother is in love!”
I was back on my feet in an instant. “Woah, let’s not get too carried away. We’ve been together for a little over a week.”
“But you’ve known her for months,” Blair said as if it was obvious.
“As colleagues, or acquaintances,” I replied.
“More like friends,” Alex said. “The best relationships start off as friendships.”
“That’s how Katy and I started,” Momma said, putting her arm around Mom. “Maybe you’re not in love, but you’re falling toward it.”
I knew they were right. Cazzie and I had become inseparable friends. And even though that was because she was being paid to be around me, it didn’t lessen the bond that had formed between us. I had grown accustomed to Cazzie’s presence around me, to the point that I was keenly aware when she wasn’t nearby—like right now, while she was on the phone in the next room.
But am I falling in love with her?I didn’t know the answer to that question. I wasn’t ready to eventhinkabout it yet. Hell, we had just gone on our first real date a few days ago!
The door down the hall opened and Cazzie returned to us. Even in jeans instead of her suit, her entire presence exuded command and control. “I just got off the phone with my boss. He and I go way back. He’s putting some of our best agents on your family. They’ll be here tomorrow.” She turned to the women around the dining room table. “You’re going to be in good hands.”
“I don’t want a bodyguard!” Blair reiterated. “I have a date with Connor on Saturday. What am I supposed to tell him?”
“Tell him the truth,” Cazzie said. “Or tell him a lie. Or pretend like you don’t see the bodyguard at all.” She turned to me. “If we’re going to make that flight home, we need to leave soon.”
“You flew all the way out here just to spend ten minutes with us?” Alex said.
“Your brother is rarely impulsive, but today was an exception,” Cazzie said with a smirk. “I tried to tell him there was nothing he could do, but he wouldn’t hear it.”
“I barely remember the flight,” I admitted. “All I knew was that I couldn’t sit around. I had to be here. I had to see all of you. I love you.”
Blaire finally broke down and threw herself into my arms. “I don’t blame you.”
“Good,” I replied.
“It’s not your fault.”
“I know.”
Momma gave Cazzie a hug. “We appreciate the strings you’ve pulled, sweetie.”
“Of course.”
“Take care of my baby.”
Cazzie smiled and hugged Mom next. “I won’t let him out of my sight. If this anonymous psycho wants to lay a hand on Luke, he’s going to have to kill me first.”
“I like her,” Alex said. “She’s not a pushover like your last girlfriend.”
21
Cazzie
“Well,” I said on the flight back. “That’s one way to meet a guy’s family.”
“You already met them before today.”
“That was when I was your bodyguard. Now I’m yourgirlfriend.”