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!

I’m in agony being here?! It’s like asking someone if they cut their hair when you see them showing up with a new

out. It would be admitting my heart is broken, and I don’t want to show myself

my temper

none of your

that she looks scared,

I scare her so much, why did she agree to marry

importantly, do I

other people think of me. Neither do I care. I suppose I’m tall. Perhaps that’s

like to think of myself as

lips are trembling, and she avoids eye contact. “W-which room should I

Is she serious?

obviously sleeping in

“Oh.”

She looks relieved.

“With me,” I add.

“Oh…”

like I’ve told her I’m going to take her out into the forest 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,

blood is pumping.

beyond belief. I turn around, losing my train of thought for a moment, until I see

eyes narrow. “Why are

my irritated

not angry.” Irritated, yes.

than the goddamn sun. “Do you know what

Is that an idiom? Who the fuck uses expressions when they

you do?” Tell me so

with air. “Count to three,” she is now slowly

them really, and that’s when it hits

“I’m not crazy. This is a proven method of letting go of your inner anger and moving on. I promise you this will help you deal with your pent-up stress and anger.” Her fingers are still moving. Actually, her whole body

I did that in front of the people

about that! I have

eyes. “Of course, you

you making fun of

I don’t smile or move a facial muscle, but I’m laughing on

“You’re being mean…”

hallway. And just because I can, I take a step toward her with a growing smirk. “Does

are wide with fear, and her bottom lip is trembling. She looks as if I might punch her. Why? I

Hannah mumbles. “You’re…

breath and shake your fingers, you know, to calm

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