“Protective of her too, hmm? You’ve been watching her and hanging out with her at the diner for a while now. Is this getting serious?” Sawyer’s playful grin changes to a gaze full of caution, and I wonder how I tell them that it kind of is. At least for me. I can’t stop thinking about this girl.
“Hey. Why didn’t I get invited to this meeting?” Connor walks in, saving me from having to answer as he grabs a sandwich from the tray, shoving it in his mouth.
“I offered Nikki a job,” Tanner tells him.
Connor lifts an eyebrow, talking through his mouthful. “A job?”
“She declined,” Sawyer adds with amusement, his ego not so bruised now, knowing he’s not the only one she turned down.
“Technically, she didn’t accept or decline…” I can see the wheels turning in Tanner's head.
“She’s running from something, that girl.” Connor grabs another sandwich half, and if we don’t start eating soon, they’ll be all gone.
“Do you really trust her?” My brother's words penetrate deep as he turns to me.
“With my life,” I say without any hesitation.
“Then so do we.” Tanner’s statement is firm before he walks out the door, Connor following.
Sawyer’s eyes are still on me, and I can feel his interrogation isn’t over yet. “Are you sure about her, Sutton? I mean, let’s be serious. This isn’t like you. You never get attached to women. You have a different one every week, but you never catch feelings.”
“I can’t stop fucking thinking about her,” I admit to him, and he looks a little surprised.
“Maybe it’s just Whispers. Being here, not working, not having anything else to do but pine over a cute girl you’ve met?”
My head is already shaking. “That’s not it.”
“Maybe it’s because she’s forbidden. No one really knows her, and she has you intrigued? Like a puzzle you want to put together?”
“Nope.” I’m armed with the truth, and my brother’s eyes narrow.
“What is it, then? What is it about her that has you coming home in overalls, smiling every time you see her?”
“She doesn’t like Sutton Silvers.”
That has his brow pinching. “What?”
“She doesn’t like my name. Doesn’t like my job. Doesn’t want the limelight, doesn’t want to be associated with me and my celebrity at all. Doesn’t want my money. Isn’t with me to grow her social media following—hell, I doubt she even has social media. She just likes me for me. Do you know how refreshing that is?”
Understanding washes over his face as he nods.
“I do.” He’s talking about Annabelle. The woman he managed to sweep off her feet who didn’t care about his money or his status.
“Do you know what she’s running from?” His concern is now back in full force. “I won’t say a word.”
“No. I have no idea. But it isn’t good. I think she’s from money. She has her own status she’s hiding from.”
He nods resolutely. “Then we keep her hidden, and we’ll be ready to help her when she asks.” Sawyer slaps my shoulder, giving me his approval. Not that I needed it, but I do appreciate it, nonetheless.
“Can you babysit on Friday night?” he asks, catching me off guard.
Given that I’m currently living in a wing of his massive mansion, he already knows he has a built-in babysitter.
“Sure, where are you going?”
“I just want to take Annabelle out to the bar. A break from the boys.”
That gives me an idea. “I might see if Nikki and James want to come over to hang out.”
