AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Life’s decisions can just be overwhelming sometimes.
My new boss emailed me earlier today. He’s already planning out my first week at the office. I can’t even be excited. Too many thoughts are weighing me down.
My phone chimes, and I pluck it out of my back pocket. Ahh, it’s Peggy. I told her I would text her so we could get together before I moved, but I have been so busy lately that it slipped my mind. I feel like a horrible friend since I haven’t talked to her for a few weeks, but life has been crazy.
Peggy
Hey Liz. Hoping we can meet up. I have a small going away gift for you. You never met me for lunch like you promised!
I’m so sorry about lunch! I owe you one when you come to visit me. You didn’t have to get me a gift :-) That’s so sweet.
Of course I did! I’m going to miss you! When are you free to meet?
I’m at my apartment right now. How about if I swing by your place on my way back to Ethan’s place? I can be there in thirty minutes.
Sounds great. I hope you are bringing Matthew with you. I’d love to pinch his little baby cheeks.
Sorry, no baby cheeks for you today! He’s spending the day with Ethan’s parents.
Awww, ok, then. See you soon.
I’m excited to see Peggy but unsure how Beau will react. It always puts him in a tizzy when I make last-minute changes to my schedule. However, Peggy is on my approved visitor list since she has already had a full background check, so a quick stop at her place shouldn’t be a big deal.
Sensing my presence, Beau appears as I step out of my apartment toward the waiting car. He’s a big, burly man with huge muscles and plenty of tattoos. As much as I didn’t want a bodyguard, I can now admit that I feel better with him watching over me. As scary as he looks, no one is going to try to get through this guy.
When he first started guarding me, he kept a distance and just watched over me. However, after the incident with the note at the café, Ethan decided the guard should stick to my side at all times. I’ve gotten to know him pretty well in the last few weeks. The funny thing is that despite his scary demeanor, he’s a softy. He has a wife whom he adores and would do anything for. Anytime I ask about her, his scowl turns into a bright smile, and his face lights up. This is the type of guy you want protecting you.
“Are you ready to go, Ms. Blakely?” Beau asks when I open the door.
“Yes, I think so. I need to make a quick stopover at a friend’s home, though.”
He just gives me a look and pulls out his phone. “What’s your friend’s name? If she’s not on the approved list, you know we can’t go.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “I know, I know. She’s on the approved list. Her name is Peggy. I’ve known her for ten years. She’s perfectly harmless.”
“That’s what they all say,” he grumbles. He holds up his phone and shows me a photo with Peggy’s name, address, and other details. “Is this your friend? Are we going to this address?”
“Yep! That’s my friend, and yes, we are going to her townhome,” I confirm. I flash him a bright smile. “You met her once, by the way. She visited me at Ethan’s place recently.”
“Okay. I’m just going to call Mr. Anders before we go since he didn’t know we were leaving the condo today.” He dials Ethan’s number and waits while it rings.
“You worry too much, Beau. I’m perfectly safe at Peggy’s place.”
“Mr. Anders isn’t answering.”
“Well, Ethan doesn’t have me on lockdown. I’m allowed to visit friends. Just text him if you must.”
Beau quickly punches out a text and then gives me a surly look. “Well, I alerted Mr. Anders, so I guess we can head to Peggy’s.”
“Thanks for your flexibility, Beau. Very kind of you,” I tell him graciously.
“That sounded exceedingly sarcastic,” he says. He ruins his grumpy words when he unintentionally cracks a smile. “How about you lock up, and I’ll check the stairwell. I don’t like how dark those stairs are. They need to replace the lights in there.”
He waits for me to lock the door, and then he sweeps the stairwell.
“Are we good?”
“Yes, all clear. Please stay close.”
