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!

asking someone if they cut their

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

my temper like

none of your business…”

is that she looks scared, kind of

much, why did

most importantly, do I look

think of me.

like to think

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

Is she serious?

sleeping in the

“Oh.”

She looks relieved.

“With me,” I add.

“Oh…”

forest at night to murder her. Like, what the fuck? Is the thought of sharing a bed with me that terrible?! My

is pumping.

her around. Instead, she grabs my hand, shocking me beyond belief. I turn around, losing my train of thought for a moment, until

eyes narrow. “Why are you

my hand but doesn’t back down. Neither does my irritated tone

not angry.” Irritated, yes. Angry?

brighter than the goddamn sun. “Do you know

fuck uses expressions when they talk? A

you do?”

deep breath,” Hannah takes a dramatic deep breath filling her chest with air. “Count to three,” she is now slowly exhaling while keeping her smile. “And then I let it out while shaking

while she shakes her little hands, rattles them really, and that’s when

continues the motion as she speaks. “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 is.

did that in front of the people

her fingers. “Don’t joke about that! I have friends there, and

my eyes. “Of course, you

making

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

“You’re being mean…”

in the dimly lit hallway. And just because

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

mumbles. “You’re… upsetting me

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

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