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“I really messed this up,” Beau said. “I mean, hiring you.”
“What have I done wrong?” Myra protested.
“Nothing,” Ike insisted from up front.
She liked that she sat behind him and could see his eyes in the rearview, but she much preferred sitting next to him and holding his hand, leaning across the console to kiss his neck. She fanned her face, and he smiled.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” Beau insisted. “I mean, when my friend Lake gave me the idea to hire a lady protector and pretend she was my girlfriend to keep me safe from the Star Stabber…” He looked out the window. “I was more interested in how Bermuda would respond. I’ve gone on dates since we broke up but nothing serious. A girlfriend living at my house would appear pretty serious, right?”
“Ah, Beau. You know less about relationships than Ike or me.”
Ike gave her a warning look in the mirror. She swallowed. Was she blowing their cover with Beau? Did it matter? She liked pretending she was dating Ike, but her emotions were all over the place with him. She only felt settled when they were touching. He appeared invested in her one second and then pulled away before she could take her next breath.
She wasn’t afraid of Beau hitting on her any longer. She found herself liking the guy and hoping he and Bermuda did end up happily together. They could tell Beau the truth and everything would be a lot less confusing.
“Wait a minute.” Beau looked between the two of them. “You two are such an enigma. Is this your first serious relationship?”
“Yes,” Myra said.
“No,” Ike said at the same time.
Their gazes caught and held in the mirror. Beau for once stayed quiet.
“No?” Myra croaked.
Ike looked guilty. Was he trying to play for their crowd of one and show he had some experience? Or was he being honest?
“When I said you had no relationship experience,” she said. “You … you said you didn’t.” Her mind was scrambling, trying to remember exactly what he’d said.
“Myra,” Ike’s voice was soft but firm. “Can we talk about this later tonight?”
Myra felt reprimanded and her throat tightened. She could only nod and then look away quickly. She caught Beau giving her a compassionate glance and felt even more awkward.
It wasn’t as if she and Ike were dating. Yet she felt like he’d lied to her yesterday morning. Hadn’t they teased about a vow of celibacy? Her mind scrambled and she avoided both men’s gazes. The air in this Escalade had never felt so thick.
Chapter
Thirteen
Ike chafed for the hockey game to be over. Usually he liked hockey, and searching for threats was second nature to him, but he wanted to talk to Myra. Alone. He felt as if he’d reprimanded her in the car and he hadn’t meant it like that at all. He’d simply wanted to talk to her without Beau looking on.
Even if Beau was sincere in his devotion to Bermuda, Ike wasn’t ready to stop pretending he was dating Myra. If he did, he might never have a chance to hold her hand or be alone with her again. Unless he gave himself permission. Which he didn’t know how to do. Tonight he needed to explain about his past and his future. What would she say?
Beau and Myra seemed as uncomfortable as he felt. The game was interesting—fast-paced, lots of fighting, impressive skating and stickwork, and a decent amount of scoring for a hockey game.
Beau and Myra’s faces kept appearing on the big screen. She’d lean into the arm he had slung around her and stare up at him like he was her boyfriend.
Ike’s gut would churn and he’d look away. He noticed every time that happened, a certain gorgeous blonde actress in a box at just the right angle to see the happy couple was glowering. The bald muscle-bound dude next to her was watching Bermuda and obviously upset as well. Was that Donavon? The guy Beau had said Ike should remove fingers from? Ike almost smiled.
“Beau,” Ike said, after the fifth jumbotron appearance. “I don’t think being at this game is helping your quest for Bermuda.”
“I know.” He pulled his arm from around Myra’s shoulders and shook his head. “Should we just leave? She’s glaring at us.” He suddenly straightened. “I can’t do this anymore. Bermuda is the most trustworthy I know. Besides my mama. I’ll get her alone and tell her the truth.”
Before either of them could protest, Beau sprang over his chair and ran for the suite entrance.
“Beau!”
Ike and Myra could both move quick, but Beau was a professional athlete and had the element of surprise. He was out the door and they were racing after him. Ike could see people on the concourse turning in surprise and then immediately yanking out their cell phones and videoing the famous Beau Alexander sprinting around the suite level of the King’s hockey arena, his girlfriend and friend racing after him.
