If I had to throw her over my shoulder and carry her out of here kicking and screaming, I would.
“Abi, if you want to go to that dinner, we need to leave now. All the plans have shifted.”
She nodded. Maybe she was starting to realize there were things she had to compromise too.
I waited for her outside of the room.
A minute later she appeared.
“Is it really that bad?” I saw the worry on her face and had to admit she had been strong in there for Javier.
I nodded. “Worse. But you’re not alone, baby.”
She squeezed my hand. “I know.”
12
Abi
I don’t know what I thought it would feel like being inside the beach house again. The last time I was here I dressed, poured a smoothie, and left for my killer session with Javier. I grimaced. Bad choice of words.
I wandered through the rooms, feeling like a stranger.
Reid was behind me. “I’ve added additional window sensors and laser triggers at all entry points. I don’t have a full computer system installed, but by the end of the week you’ll have the best tech I have.”
“Mmmhmm.” I nodded absently.
I looked out at the ocean breaking against the shore. It was rough today.
There were two men planted on the beach, wearing ball caps. There were two more in my driveway. This didn’t feel like home.
Suddenly, Reid’s arms wrapped around me. He kissed the side of my head.
“Something’s wrong. What is it?” he asked.
I didn’t want to admit he was right. I was more comfortable at Big Bear.
“It sounds dumb.”
“Try me.”
I sighed. “It feels creepy here. Like someone’s watching. Maybe it’s all the windows.”
It was why I had loved the old house to begin with. It wasn’t one of the new fancy Malibu houses. It had
been here since the first wave of celebrities moved to the coast in the fifties. The windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling. I had loved the sunlight. Now I wished I could board up the windows and hide.
Right now those windows made my skin crawl.
“Let’s head back to Big Bear,” he offered.
I shook my head. “I’m not going to be scared out of my own home. Besides, I’m not going to miss my first awards dinner. I have a dress you’re going to love.”
I spun to face him. Maybe all I needed was a little Reid distraction.
“What kind of dress?”
“A very low-cut black dress.” I grinned, flattening my hands against the ridges of his abs.