Page 35 of A Texas Hero

“I’ve forgotten you angry-flirt.” Twyla smiled and popped a grape in her mouth. “Well, he definitely notices you, if that helps.”

“He does?”

“Yes, there’s definitely an awareness going on there. I can sense it.”

“Well, I’m not sure he’s getting the message,” Zoey said, and handed Twyla her phone. “Check out the last text I sent to Scott.”

Twyla read and her eyes widened. “That’s pretty direct. And also, he’s Italian? Why did you feel the need to add that?”

“Why do you think? Archer has been advising me on what to tell Scott so he’ll stop texting me and sending me gifts. I thought he should see what I wrote. And I loaded it with a big clue.”

Twyla laughed. “And…?”

Zoey shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Well, you need to consider that this is his job and he doesn’t want to be inappropriate.”

“It’s not inappropriate when he’s given an invitation, is it?” Zoey said.

“How many have been given an invitation?” Archer’s voice boomed from the hallway, making Zoey jump.

“Um, uh…” Zoey elbowed Twyla. “How many?”

“We sent out twenty with plus-ones, but so far only fifteen have RSVPed.”

Archer nodded. “And Scott, he is not invited, right?”

“Oh, no,” Twyla assured him. “He’s definitely not.”

Archer quirked a brow. “So, twenty guests and their plus-ones, which makes forty people.”

“It’s fine. We have plenty of room!” Zoey waved her hand dismissively.

“There’s room, yes, but this whole plus-one thing…how do you know who is the plus-one?”

“He’s got a point,” Twyla said. “We don’t know. I’m only assuming no one will bring Scott, but that’s not out of the question. We have mutuals.”

“Exactly.” Archer nodded.

“Okay, so what do we do? Check people at the door? As in, show me your papers?” Zoey said facetiously.

“No,” Archer said patiently. “It is a free country. But if Scott comes to the party, either we ask him to leave, or I’m afraid you will find yourself with a shadow all night.”

“I told you I don’t want people to know I have a bodyguard.”

“I’ve got it!” Twyla stood. “You can pretend he’s your date!”

“My…date?” Zoey said.

It was basically what Archer had suggested they tell people at her shop, but that wouldn’t have made any sense at all. At a party, though, it was reasonable. It would also give her a chance to flirt more openly with him under the guise of plausible deniability.

“Just for the night!” Twyla said. “It makes sense. That way no one will wonder why this man is sticking so close to you.”

“But what if Scott doesn’t show up?”

“It still works,” Twyla said.

Archer nodded. “I agree. It’s the best way to handle it. Either you let everyone know I’m your bodyguard, or…”