Chapter 12
Icame back in after my run and stopped short when I overheard Meg ask Jack. “Is Jamie okay?”
“He took the whole situation today a little too personally.”
I bit back a laugh when I heard Meg’s reply. “You’d never do something like that.” I could imagine her rolling her eyes at him.
“Who me? Never.”
Jack had most definitely taken Meg’s unofficial case too personally.
“Do you think he likes her.” Did she notice I wasn’t wearing my wedding ring?
“I don’t know, maybe.” Jack paused. “He claims it’s because Emily’s a family friend, but I think there might be more to it.”
“Did he say or do anything to make you think so?”
“No, nothing specific. But he’s called AJ twice tonight to make sure everything is okay.”
I should have known AJ would rat me out.
“It’d be nice for him to find someone. He’s too good a guy to be so lonely.” Meg said.
Not wanting to hear any more, I retreated to my bedroom.
The next morning I stood in front of my dresser debating whether or not I should put my ring back on. The sunlight caught the scuff marks in the gold as I picked it up, this ring and I had seen a lot of action. I felt naked without it, but decided not to put it back on, yet. I can always put it back on later.
The sweet scent of sausage filled my nose before I reached the kitchen. Jack was scheduled to relieve AJ at seven so he’d gotten up early, and unsurprisingly Meg got with him so they could have breakfast together. It’s what Isabelle would have done.
“Morning Jamie. We made plenty of eggs and sausage so help yourself,” she picked up her mug, “and of course, lots of coffee.” Not that she needed to remind me, there was always plenty of coffee in this house. Not only had Jack and I grown up in our mom’s coffee shop, developing a deep love of good coffee, but we worked crazy schedules and often relied on the caffeine boost.
It was nice to see Meg settling in and relishing the role of housewife, despite not being married. She said it was because she hadn’t had a real home since her grandmother died when she was fourteen, and she loved taking care of us. She always added that we took care of her too. I’d thought it might be weird when Meg first moved in with us, but it’d actually been nice having her around. I’ll miss them when they get their own place.
I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down. Feeling self conscious about not wearing my band, I was absentmindedly playing with my bare finger. Of course Jack noticed. I would have if our situations were reversed.
Jack nodded at my hand; his question unspoken.
Meg noticed and followed his gaze. She was far more observant than the average person, a survival skill she’d learned living in an abusive household. It didn’t hurt that she now lived and worked with private investigators.
She smiled, opened her mouth to say something, closed it, opened it again, bit her bottom lip, opened her mouth, then closed it and looked at Jack.
He shook his head and laughed. “Just ask him before your head explodes.”
I feigned offense. “I’m right here.”
“Sorry. I’m just surprised to see you without your wedding band and wanted to say something but it seems rude to ask-”
“It’s okay Meg.” I cut her off. If I hadn’t, she’d ramble on, and embarrass herself. Something she did frequently when she got nervous. “I think Mom and Dad might be right, so I’m trying it.”
“Does this have anything to do with the blond I’m about to go shadow?”
I gave him a dirty look. “No. I talked to them about it before Chris hired us to protect Emily.” Damn it. That didn’t sound convincing. If I couldn’t convince myself, I’d never convince Jack. Or Meg.
Emily was off limits for a lot of reasons, including the fact that her brother was my best friend.
“Uh huh.” Jack grinned. He wasn’t convinced but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of arguing.
Meg ran around the table and gave me a big hug. “I don’t care why you’re doing it Jamie, I’m just glad you are. I know it’s hard to let go, to move on, but Isabelle would want you to be happy.”
“Thanks.” I was as grateful she’d prevented Jack from giving me shit as I was for her support. Knowing Meg, it was probably her intention.
From the stupid grin on his face, Jack was about to try again. But Meg interrupted him. “You’ll be late if you don’t get moving.” She looked at me and winked, a trait she claims she picked up from ‘The Sheppard Men’ as she liked to call us. It was probably true, since we all tended to wink. She used to make fun of Jack for it even though she seemed to like it. I remember the first time she saw dad wink; she was in the hospital and his wink had made her laugh. That was when Meg started to feel comfortable around him. Before that she thought he didn’t like her. Now they’re thick as thieves.
I offered to help clean up, but Meg insisted on doing it herself, informing me I could clean up after dinner, which I’d be cooking.
“You should let him help you, he’s assigned himself to Emily duty tonight. And every night this week. So he won’t be around to help.” Jack raised an eyebrow at me before walking up behind Meg and hugging her. “I’ll happily make dinner for you tonight Princess. I’ll even clean up afterwards.”
It wasn’t much of an offer since he cooked everything on the grill, but Meg didn’t care. “So, I should thaw some steaks.”
“Yup.” Jack kissed her. “Gotta run. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Jack nodded as he left.“Later bro.” Half way down the hall he yelled back over his shoulder. “You need me to check in with you every fifteen minutes, or do you trust me to do my job?”
I didn’t answer, at least not verbally, I let my middle finger and scowl do the talking for me. I trusted him to do his job and he knew it. Sometimes working with family is a real pain in the ass.
I stood up and started helping Meg. “He’s right, I’ll be gone every night this week so I’ll make breakfast, and clean up my mess, for the rest of the week. Deal?”
“Deal. Ooooh, can we have banana chocolate chip pancakes tomorrow?” Meg asked excitedly.
I laughed. “Of course.” Jack and I rarely ate a carb heavy breakfast, usually opting for eggs and bacon or sausage. Meg never complained, but she’d request pancakes any time we asked what she wanted.
“Thanks Jamie. You’re the best big brother ever.” Which wasn”t saying much because Meg was an only child.
Then she leaned against the counter and crossed her arms, trying to look serious. “So, now that Jack’s gone, you can tell me, do you like her?”
“Who?” I played dumb to buy myself some time because I wasn’t sure how to answer. I felt protective of Emily, but wasn’t sure if I was attracted to her. I mean, she’s pretty, and it felt good holding her in my arms, but I’m sure it felt good because I was comforting her during a difficult situation, not because I like her.
Meg’s look said it all, so she didn’t need to say anything, but she did anyway. “Don’t play dumb, you know I mean Emily.”
I laughed. So this is what it feels like having a pain in the ass little sister. Madi was a pain in the ass, but she never let me forget that she’s twenty-two minutes older, so technically she was a pain in the ass big sister.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just thinking, now I know how Chris felt growing up with a pain in the ass little sister.”
“Aw, you’re so sweet.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice thicker than molasses. She lowered her voice a few octaves. “Stop trying to avoid the question.” Meg was a pro at changing the subject, so it was easy for her to notice when I did it. “Now, answer me or I’ll get your mom involved.”
Damn! She went straight to playing the mom card.
I sighed, not because of her threat, she’d never really go through with it, but because I didn’t know the answer. “I don’t know. Jack’s right, her case feels personal, but I don’t know if it’s because she’s a family friend who I’ve known most of my life or if it’s because I’m attracted to her.”
I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my hair. “It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it. Chris is my best friend, he was my best man, and I’m a godfather to his daughter. I can’t think about his little sister like that.”
“I’m sure Chris wouldn’t mind. He might be shocked at first, but I’m sure he’d be good with it after he gave you the obligatory protective big brother speech. You’re a great guy Jamie, you deserve to be happy. So does Emily.”
“Cart in front of horse, Meg. Besides, I’m not ready to think about it yet.” I said it to end the conversation, but realized it was the truth. I didn’t want to think about what feelings I might or might not have for Emily, let alone talk about them.
“Okay. I’m here if you want to talk. So is Jack. He’s just not as nice as me.” She winked at me before stepping in and giving me a quick hug. “Now you finish cleaning the kitchen while I get ready for work. You know how cranky my bosses get if I’m late.”
I shook my head and laughed. I was one of her bosses, and was never cranky. “Only because the whole operation would crash and burn without you.”
“Aw, thanks” It might not crash and burn, but life at SSI was a hell of a lot easier with Meg there.
After washing the dishes, I finished getting ready for work. My ring caught my attention as I walked by. I picked it up and rolled it between my fingers for a few seconds, contemplating whether I should put it back on. Am I ready to signal to the world that I’m ready to move on?
I put the band down and glanced at my wedding picture. “I’m trying.”
Meg knocked on my office door mid-afternoon to let me know Emily had emailed to tell us she was going to Dallas tonight to have dinner with a friend.
I was glad she let us know in advance, even if it was only a few hours. She was doing her best to follow the protocols we’d put in place, even if she didn’t understand the need for them. Clients didn’t always understand that coverage, specifically shift changes, was trickier when they went out of town, which was why we needed to know in advance where they going, and for how long.
We weren’t providing a driver with Emily’s current protection detail, so I made a mental note to ask her if she wanted me to drive her there and back.
“Did she say who?”
“Ashley York. Want me to run a background check?”
“That won’t be necessary. Did she say what time she’s leaving?” Ashley was Emily’s best friend in high school, and she’d mentioned wanting to visit her in Dallas.
“Five-thirty. She said they’re hanging out at Ashley’s and will probably order delivery for dinner.”
“She didn’t happen to say when she planned on coming home did she?”
“She didn’t, but I can ask.”
“I’ll take care of it. Can you let Jack know I’ll relieve him at four? There’s no sense in both of us having to drive to Dallas.” I was scheduled to relieve him at six but could go early since I didn’t have any appointments.
“Can do boss man.” She saluted me from the doorway before asking, “Want me to pack you some food?”
“That’d be great. Thanks Meg.”
I texted Emily and asked if she had a minute to talk. I wanted to get more details about her plans with Ashley, and offer to drive her there and back, and it’d be easier over the phone.
There was no point in taking two cars, plus there was a pretty good chance they’d be drinking, and I didn’t want Emily to worry about the ninety-minute drive home, late at night, after drinking.
It’d also give me the opportunity to spend some time alone with her. I wanted to get to know Emily better. And if I was lucky, make her smile, because she had a beautiful smile. Stop it!
When I asked, she declined so quickly I’d barely finished asking. I was disappointed, but knew it was probably for the best. I thought about trying to convince her but reminded myself that this was a job, even if it felt more personal to me, and I had to respect her wishes. I’m her bodyguard, not her friend, at least while I’m on the clock.
After she gave me Ashley’s address and phone number, I reminded her to drive conservatively so I wouldn’t lose her on the highway.
She laughed. “I’ve never been a speed demon.”
“Good to know. I’ll be at your place by four, we can leave as soon as I relieve Jack.”
“Okay.” She paused. “Thanks for not forcing me to take the ride.”
“You’re welcome.” I hadn’t considered how aggressive I might have sounded if I tried to force the issue. Now I’m glad I didn’t. The last thing I wanted to do was remind her of her abusive ex.