Chapter 4
Tobias

How do you trust a person after the one who was your everything betrayed you by sleeping with your best friend?

You don’t.

At least not me.

“I don’t need a bodyguard!” Hannah exclaims as we take off our shoes inside my hallway, which now is hers too.

“You do need one,” I say without facing her. All I want right now is a shower and some much-needed rest.

“No one would try to assassinate me!”

I arch an eyebrow while hanging up my coat, watching her over my shoulder as I do. “No, but… Someone might try to press me for money by kidnapping you.”

Hannah looks shocked by my words. Fear enters those ice-blue eyes, and then something weird happens: I, Tobias Ford, feel guilt for pulling this woman into my crazy life and schemes.

The guilt trip lasts for about three seconds. Then I remind myself that Hannah needs this. She is a broke college student, and I’m the answer to her problems.

I shouldn’t feel guilty.

Still, I sigh. “Look, how about we talk about this tomorrow? It’s late, and I have an early day tomorrow.”

Noticing my tiredness, Hannah relents. Her expression softens, and she stops pressing her agenda. How interesting. It seems former Mrs. Darling cares more about other’s people well-being than her own. I admire that.

“I suppose I can wait until tomorrow,” Hannah looks around and takes in the space around her. Her eyes widen like I knew they would, and shock crosses her features. “So this is your house…”

“Yes.”

She laughs, and I stare her down.

“Did I say something funny?” I ask.

“No, it’s just that…” a smile tugs on her lips, and she looks up at me with glittering eyes. So naive. So innocent and young. “If this is your house, why were you staying at the hotel?”

My mood darkens. “Because I was with my ex-wife when I bought this house. It’s filled with our old memories.”

“Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t know that… But I suppose I should have…” Hannah stares down at the ground, embarrassed. “Is it hard for you to be here?”

Is she serious?

The answer is yes, and Hannah should know that!

like asking someone if they cut their hair when you see them showing up

heart is broken, and I don’t want to show myself as vulnerable, so what do

lose my temper

none of your business…” I

point is that she looks scared, kind of like she has seen a ghost. It baffles

much, why

do

intimidating, but then again, I rarely ask what other people think of me. Neither do

would like to think of myself as

Hannah looks uncomfortable. Her lips are trembling, and she avoids eye contact. “W-which

Is she serious?

in

“Oh.”

She looks relieved.

“With me,” I add.

“Oh…”

at night to murder her. Like, what the fuck? Is the thought of sharing a bed with me that terrible?! My ex-wife cheated on me, and now this one looks at me like I’m a

blood is pumping. “Just follow

hand, shocking me beyond belief. I turn around, losing my train of thought for a

narrow. “Why

down. Neither does my irritated tone wipe the sweet smile from her lips. “You’re

Irritated,

goddamn sun. “Do you know what I do when I’m

that an idiom? Who the fuck uses expressions when they talk? A clown?

you do?” Tell

“Count to three,” she

rattles them really, and that’s

on. I promise you this

did that in front of the people

“Don’t joke about that! I

roll my eyes. “Of course, you have friends

you making fun

or move a facial muscle, but I’m laughing on the inside. Hannah is a

“You’re being mean…”

her eyes in the dimly lit hallway. And just because I can, I take a step

against it. Her eyes are wide with fear, and her bottom lip is trembling. She looks as if I might punch her. Why? I already said I wouldn’t hurt

“You’re… upsetting me

breath and shake your fingers, you know, to calm down and all that,”

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