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Once I get inside, I realize Sandra is not there, and I’m alone with Brody again.
“Where’s Sandra?” It’s the first thing I ask as I search for my purse and my phone.
“She stayed behind to talk with that shaggy haired guy,” Brody is making a motion with one hand under his chin in reference to the long beard.
“Mark,” I say, with a nod and a smile. “He’s the owner of this place.”
“Oh, I know,” Brody nods, nonchalant.
I find my phone, turn on the flashlight and place it over the dresser, going straight for the chair and my guitar the next moment. “Wanna take a seat?” I offer.
“Thank you, but not right now.” He politely declines, standing by the door, alert.
“Bodyguard duties, hm?”
Brody nods. “To be completely frank, I should be standing outside, but…”
“But what?”
I raise an eyebrow, curious, fingers at a C-minor on the arm of the guitar.
“I don’t want to leave you alone.”
I laugh softly and reply “I’m not afraid of the dark, Brody. At least, not in here. Out in the street it must be scary.”
“Probably.” His voice is like a balm to my anxiety, making me feel at ease. “But that’s not the issue, princess.”
Again, with the princess talk. What the hell does he mean by that? Is it possible that he’s into me?
I strum a sequence of chords, random, taking mental note of them to maybe use them later. Brody stands quiet, and oh, how I wish he’d say something, anything other than teasing me with flowers and flattery.
“Your stalker…” he finally speaks. “I’m wondering how he found out where you live.”
I shrug, but he continues to stare at me, thinking.
“How do you go home, usually? Alone?” He crosses his arms.
“Sandra normally takes me home, sometimes we have a sleepover. But depending on where I perform, I may just book a car with my rideshare app and go home alone. Here, for example, it’s only a few blocks from my apartment.”
He shakes his head. “I’m taking you home today. And standing guard until the lights come back.”
Brody’s words make me feel safe and warm, but he’s sending mixed signals and I feel confused.
There is also Sandra’s strong unwillingness for anything to happen between us, not to mention the contract. The last thing I want is to jeopardize his ability to protect me.
“Will you carry me in your arms, then?” It’s my turn to tease him.
“Ha!” He snickers. “I’ve received that request before.”
I sing the chorus of a famous love song,and Brody just shakes his head playfully. He has taken off his sunglasses now, and I wish I could see the green of his eyes, but it’s too dark.
The door opens, and it’s Sandra, looking distressed and out of breath. “The place is emptying fast; people are asking for refunds.”
“I don’t blame them,” I say, sadly.
“Oh, Lily…” Sandra leans down to kiss the top of my head. “Your days playing at small venues like this are coming to an end.”
“But I like places like this,” I purposefully pout.
