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!

fuck wouldn’t understand that I’m in agony being here?! It’s like asking someone if they cut their hair

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

lose my temper like

none of your

The point is that she looks scared, kind of

scare her so much, why did

most importantly, do I look

think of me. Neither

to

Hannah looks uncomfortable. Her lips are trembling, and she avoids eye

Is she serious?

obviously sleeping in the

“Oh.”

She looks relieved.

“With me,” I add.

“Oh…”

Hannah looks 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, and now this one looks at me like

blood is pumping. “Just follow

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

eyes narrow. “Why

but doesn’t back down. Neither does my irritated tone wipe the sweet

angry.” Irritated, yes. Angry?

you know what I do

that an idiom? Who the fuck uses expressions when

what do you do?” Tell me so that I can laugh at

breath filling her chest with air. “Count to three,” she is now slowly exhaling

hands, rattles them really, and that’s when

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 at my office,

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

my eyes. “Of course, you have friends

making fun

I?” I don’t smile or move a facial muscle, but I’m

“You’re being mean…”

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

bottom lip is trembling. She looks as if I might

mumbles. “You’re… upsetting

breath and shake your fingers, you know,

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