He mumbles something. I think it was, “Definitely not,” but I can’t be sure.
“Emma liked you,” I tell him playfully.
“I know. She asked me out for lunch.”
My eyes widen. “Wow, she didn’t waste any time.” I surprise myself by feeling a small stab of jealousy. He’s my bodyguard! Fucking cheek. “What did you say?”
“I thanked her politely and said I was flattered, but otherwise engaged.”
“You could have gone. I could have driven myself to the office.”
“And have you make a bolt for the border? I don’t think so.”
“Don’t be hurt when I ditch you,” I tell him. “I’m super skilled at evasive tactics.”
“Do your best, ma’am. Just don’t complain when I rugby-tackle you to the ground.”
The door slides open, and he marches out. I follow him, glowering a little. “Talking of rugby,” I say, “do you support the Wallabies or the All Blacks?” They’re the Australian and New Zealand national rugby teams.
“The Wallabies,” he says. “My dad’s a big fan.”
“I suppose supporting Australia builds character.”
“Not as much as surviving on the West Island.” It’s what the Australians call New Zealand.
“Don’t make me report you to immigration, convict,” I warn, and he snorts.
Halfway to the car, I stop. “I need to pop into the pharmacy. Will you wait here?”
“Nope.”
Gritting my teeth, I walk off, toward the chemist at the end of the street, knowing he’s following me. When we get to the door, I stop and turn.
“I’d like you to wait here,” I tell him. “I want to talk to the pharmacist about something private, and I don’t want the whole security team knowing.”
He fixes me with a steady gaze. “They can’t hear or see anything unless I want them to. I’d never betray your confidence, ma’am. I hope you know that.”
“I do feel reassured by that, but I’d much rather you not be listening either!”
He narrows his eyes, then huffs. “All right. I’ll wait by the door.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Leaving him standing by the door, I go into the shop. I take a few minutes to browse the shelves, picking up some hairspray and a pack of Panadol I don’t really need. I go to the back of the shop and pay for it. Then I glance over my shoulder. He’s standing to one side of the doorway, watching the street.
Smirking, I slip out of the back entrance he obviously wasn’t aware of and head up the road.
I’m just about to use the crossing when I feel a presence at my elbow.
“It’ll be quicker to use the car,” Luke says.
I glare at him. “How did you know where I was?”
“I suspected the pharmacy was a woman’s ruse. It’s the equivalent of saying you’re on your period to get out of gym class.” When I lift an eyebrow, he adds, “Remember the two nieces?”
Irritably, I turn, and we walk back to the car. This might turn out to be more difficult than I thought.
We get in, and Luke heads off to the Ashford offices. I concentrate on my phone during the journey, and he doesn’t say anything. After he’s parked, we get out, and I head for the offices with him at my side. There’s a skeleton staff on today as many of them take the Christmas week off. I study my phone as we take the elevator up, and then the doors open and I walk out into the second-floor reception.
