Page 74 of Forced Proximity

After we sit and order, we chat about Mia’s job at the coffee shop, a recent hiking trip she took on Mt Rainer, and that in a few weeks she’s going to start online business management courses. ‘So, you’re my brother’s bodyguard,’ she says as she twirls the pasta onto her fork and lets the steam release. ‘Someday, I’d love to hear all about what it’s like being a female bodyguard. I bet you have some incredible stories.’

‘Any time,’ I say as I stab my fork into the salad. ‘Truthfully though, a lot of it is more boring than what you may think.’

Justin coughs into his hand. ‘I’m going to go ahead and pretend I didn’t hear that.’

And some of those quiet times, at least with Justin, are my favorite.

‘But you have to put up with this guy for five days a week?’ Mia throws her thumbs toward Justin. ‘I feel for you, woman. We could swap stories. Did he tell you about our nicknames?’

I seriously love everything about this. ‘Ooh, no, he didn’t. I must know.’

Mia leans closer. ‘His was Scooter.’

‘Scooter?’ I ask, reaching for my lemon water.

‘Yep, and there’s a cute story behind it,’ Mia says. ‘Well, cute in an annoying big brother sort of way.’

Justin looks like he’s holding back a laugh. ‘Mia’s was Juicy. But she’d kill me if I told you how she got the name.’

‘Family secrets, Justin!’ Mia flicks his bicep. ‘He’s not wrong. I’d kill him. But for his, I’ll give you a sneak preview. Justin had this obnoxious electric scooter. With a bell. And tassels. Long, blue and green tassels that lit up. Which is cute for an eight-year-old, but he had that thing until he left for college.’

My mouth drops open before I giggle, and I swivel to face Justin. ‘No, you didn’t. Did you really?’

Justin shrugs with a grin that says, yes, he absolutely did. ‘Can I plead the fifth?’

‘He’d scoot all around the house, the yard, wearing this obnoxious helmet that also lit up. He looked like a damn Christmas tree. And he was always ringing that stupid bell to get my attention. He’d stand outside of my room until I’d finally give up and hang out with him.’ She shakes her head with a chuckle and reaches for the pepper. ‘This guy. Never-ending pain in my ass.’

‘Okay, okay, enough going down memory lane,’ Justin says, waving his hands.

‘Ugh. No fun.’ Mia laughs, then glances at Justin. ‘Okay, since I can’t talk about that anymore, let’s talk work. What was up with that bullshit journalist question about the type of underwear your co-star wore in your last film?’

Justin slices into his chicken and rolls his eyes. ‘You saw that?’

I know exactly what Mia’s talking about. Last week during a press conference with him and a few co-stars from a movie he filmed last year that’s set to release soon, a journalist asked Justin’s co-star that question. I swear I could see his jaw muscle pop from across the room.

‘It’s such an awkward position to be in. I mean, not as awkward as for her, but still,’ he says. ‘I feel like a dick not saying anything. I want to jump in, but that’d look like she couldn’t handle it. But I also want to be an ally and stand up for her. I never know what to do.’

That’s totally understandable. ‘You did great,’ I say as I catch his gaze.

And something in the air shifts. I glance back at Mia whose eyes are scanning me and Justin, and a slow grin spreads. ‘So … tell me everything about your new film. Or at least the stuff you can without me signing an NDA.’

Justin shakes his head. ‘Nope. I know your deflecting techniques. You tell me all about this new woman you’re dating. Is she nice? Cute? Does she have all her toes?’

Mia’s eyes grow wide. ‘How did you—’

‘Please,’ he says with a laugh, and swirls his fingers toward her face. ‘You are the most obvious person alive.’

‘Whatever.’ She laughs and rolls her eyes ‘Yes, she has all her toes, you total freak …’

We spend the next hour chatting, and I melt at the clear love Justin and Mia have for each other. Through finishing lunch, grabbing her luggage and then driving to the airport, our time together is seamless. I don’t feel like an outsider or hired help. I feel accepted, liked even, and I laugh because Mia is funny.

At the passenger drop-off, Mia brings me in and gives me a deep, warm hug. ‘Thank you for taking care of my brother,’ she whispers to me. ‘And I’m not just talking physically. I see so many changes in him since you came into his life, and it’s pretty fucking amazing.’

And now that warmth in my chest spreads through my body. I take a few steps away to give Justin and Mia time to themselves as they hug and she promises to visit more.

I bite back a smile.

***