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Okay, he got a smile out of me there. Theo Monroe is never wrong. I snatch the pen from his hand and scribble my John Handcock on the line. “What am I signing?” Probably should have asked that before actually signing it.
“Giving Tate the authority to do his job.” I glance over at Tate. His expression is blank. I bet he would be better looking if he smiled. Maybe had a personality. Then again, that’s none of my concern. I plan on showing these fools I’m just fine taking care of myself. I shrug and hand the pen and papers back to Theo. “Wait—” I snag the check. “Payment for my troubles.”
Theo walks over to his desk and rings the intercom. “Bethany, get me Craig on the line.” He releases the button. “Now, if we’re done here, I have work to do.”
God, so bossy. I roll my eyes, and we all turn to leave when he calls for his fiancée. “Fay. I’m not done with you.” Crimson spreads across Fay’s cheeks, and a smile takes over her lovesick face. “Gross, you two. It’s the middle of the day.”
“Goodbye, Mindy.”
“Love you too, Theo.”
I turn and walk out.
When I reach the front entrance and open the door, I notice the looming shadow hanging over me. I twist around and almost plow face-first into Tate’s chest. “Dude, personal space. Why are you following me?”
“Because it’s my job.”
“Oh… like, right now? You’re starting? I don’t get to do the whole, ‘I’ll call you and set up a time to start’?”
“No.”
Great. Shaking my head, I turn back around and walk out. I press the down button to the elevator and wait, pretending he’s not there. Which is impossible since he’s like four times my size. How is he going to fit in the elevator? I was only semi-joking about my apartment. It’s small. Like, cozy small. His shoulders are wider than my kitchen. The doors open, and we both climb in. He doesn’t speak the whole way down. To be honest, I’m not sure he even breathes.
I pull out my phone and flip through social media. When the doors finally open, I hurry out. Stepping out onto the busy sidewalk, I turn, almost bouncing off his chest again. “Jesus. Stop doing that.”
“Stop stopping suddenly.”
“Stop taking up the whole sidewalk. I didn’t drive ’cause my car is still by work. I’m just going to call an Uber—”
I step toward the street, and a large arm snakes around my waist, pulling me back just in time to dodge a maniac on a bike.
“Holy shit.” I stare down the sidewalk at the guy who didn’t attempt an apology for almost running me over. I wave my arm. “Did you see that guy?” The biker is already blocks away by the time I realize I’m still in Tate’s arms. And my feet aren’t touching the ground. “Dude, put me down.”
He does. “I have a vehicle. I’ll drive you.”
“No thanks.” I open my rideshare app and schedule a ride, but my bank card declines. “Seriously?” I try again. Again, it declines. “I told Benson not to cash my check until the end of the week.” Greedy landlord. Ugh. I look over at Tate. “Fine. Just this once. I assume you know where my apartment is?”
He nods.
“Great. And creepy. Let’s go.”
Another nod, then he directs me down the street until we stop at a sleek black SUV. “Wow. Babysitting must pay well,” I say as he opens the passenger side door.
“It has its perks,” he replies as I climb in. He shuts my door, jogs in front of his vehicle, and hops in. “Buckle up.” His bicep flexes as he puts the car in drive and maneuvers into traffic. He’s not one for conversation, so I turn on the radio, and he turns it back off. Or music, clearly.
“Whatever,” I mumble under my breath, staring out the window. I know Fay loves me. But this is going too far. How am I supposed to go about my daily routine with this guy in my space? I turn to him. “How much to tell Theo you quit?”
“Nothing.”
“You’ll quit for free?” Perfect.
“I won’t quit at all. I signed up to do a job, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Hmmm…” I gaze back out the window.I’m a job.I’ll just have to be the worst damn job he’s ever had.
“Whatever you try, it won’t drive me away.”
I whip toward him and grunt, grabbing my neck. “How did you—?”
