While peering my eyes around my apartment, endeavoring to find a suitable location to place the flowers, my gaze catches the infuriating glare of Hugo. His thinly slitted blue eyes are shooting daggers at Brandon, and his stance has changed from casual to intimidating. If Hugo is trying to scare Brandon with his threatening stature, he is failing miserably. Brandon hasn’t even noticed Hugo’s brooding presence lurking in my living room.
Cocking my head to the side, I arch my brow and give Hugo my “behave” face before placing the vase on the entranceway table. After a couple of rotations of the vase, I am happy with its position. The crystal vase catches the morning sun streaming in the window, making rainbows dance on the entranceway wall. Rotating back around, I offer to take Brandon’s jacket to hang in the coat room.
My eyes bulge and a tingling sensation scratches my throat when Brandon removes his jacket to reveal a white, fitted long-sleeve Armani polo shirt. The shirt is so tight it showcases Brandon in a light I’ve never seen him in previously. Brandon isn’t as large as the other male agents in our unit, but I didn’t realize he was hidingthattype of body under the business attire he regularly wears to the office.
My chest expands from a large inhalation when Brandon leans intimately close to my side. He isn’t standing close enough to warrant me feeling uncomfortable, but he is close enough to elicit the warning growl that sounds across the room from Hugo.
“Isn’t that Isaac’s bodyguard?” Brandon’s tone is extremely low, even with his close proximity, my ears struggle to hear him.
Wincing, I shrug. “He isn’t really Isaac’s bodyguard,” I respond, my tone reserved.
Smiling to ease the confused expression crossing Brandon’s face, I walk out of the coat room and head straight toward Hugo. His jaw is set firm, and his eyes are questioning why Brandon is here.
My smile enlarges to a full-toothed grin from Hugo’s displeasing reaction to Brandon’s visit. Even after being unjustly fired by Isaac, Hugo is still defending him. Just like I’ll continue doing every day until his name is cleared.
“Hugo, this is my friend, Brandon,” I introduce, my tone conveying to Hugo that Brandon is nothing more than a friend.
“Brandon, this is my…friend, Hugo,” I continue, grimacing while gesturing my hand between Hugo and Brandon, who has shadowed me out of the coat room.
Hugo shifts his head to the side, his blue eyes gawking at me. The longer I stay quiet, the more his brows shoot up his face.
“Sorry,” I mumble under my breath.
I wasn’t exactly sure how I ought to introduce Hugo. Although he’s always been friendly, most of our interactions have occurred while he was an employee of Isaac. I wasn’t sure if our bizarre interactions were of a friendly nature, or if Hugo was just performing the job he was paid to do.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Brandon says, extending his hand in greeting.
“Pleasure,” Hugo replies, his tone clipped and short.
After Hugo accepts Brandon’s handshake, the whole gathering plummets into an awkward silence. Brandon’s uneasy eyes dart between Hugo and me. Hugo’s suspicious gaze flicks between Brandon and me. And my eyes bounce between Hugo and Brandon. I ponder why I’ve gone from having no visitors in a week, to two male guests within two minutes of each other.
When did I become Ms. Popular?
In sync, Brandon and Hugo’s eyes snap to mine, making me realize I may have mumbled my last statement out loud.
Placing my hands on my hips, my suspicious eyes squint and dart between Brandon and Hugo. “Okay, what are you two up to?”
Brandon is confused by my brassy statement. Hugo smiles so vividly, I need to wear a pair of sunglasses to reflect the glare of his vibrant grin.
“I’ve got nothing better to do with my time anymore.” Hugo rubs a kink out of the back of his neck.
A stabbing pain of regret gathers in my chest from Hugo’s statement. Although his comment is painful to hear, it also holds merit. So, that only leaves one mystery remaining. Turning my gaze, I slant my head and glance at Brandon with one of my brows cocked high into my hairline. Brandon shifts nervously foot to foot as the natural hue adorning his cheeks reddens to a vibrant red coloring.
“I need to talk to you,” Brandon explains, his voice riddled with nerves. “In private.” His gaze strays to Hugo, who is watching our exchange eagerly, not even pretending he isn’t eavesdropping.
When Hugo fails to recognize my silent pleas for privacy, I roll my eyes before clutching Brandon’s perspiration-soaked hand in mine and walking out into the hallway of my apartment building.
After swallowing bleakly, Brandon’s reluctant hazel eyes lift from the plush blue hallway carpet to my face. “I need a favor,” he says with hesitance.
Grinning to ease Brandon’s uncertainty, I respond, “Anything, Brandon.”
Brandon has supported me in great depth the past six months, and this is a prime opportunity for me to return the favor. A wash of relief skims over Brandon’s face before his lips curve into a broad grin.
“Thank you, Izzy.” His tongue darts out to lick his dry lips before he murmurs, “I need a date.”
I stiffen but remain quiet.
Brandon coughs to eradicate the nerves from his voice. “My mom’s a chairman of a charity that holds a gala every year. I tried to get out of it, but she won’t accept any of the excuses I’m giving.” He takes a step closer to me, his glossed-over eyes looking into mine. “I really don’t want to go alone—Melody will be there.”
