“If only I could have a fiancé by that Friday…then she would keep her comments to herself.”

Karen raised her eyebrows. “You have a handful of men in a database at home to consider.”

Gwen smiled. “I hadn’t thought of that.” And if she started to interview men to be her date, how would the man watching over her feel about that?

“On the other hand, I’ll be invited to all kinds of industry parties over the next year. You never know who I’ll meet.”

The waiter arrived with their food. The rich aroma of the steaks washed over the table. There was something about being able to cut into a filet with a fork that made the dining experience even better. After refilling their glasses, the waiter left.

“Have you heard from Neil?”

Gwen used the excuse of chewing her food to keep from answering the question quickly.

“Not a word.”

Karen shook her head. “What’s his deal anyway? He was a marine, right?”

“He was.”

“I guess that explains why he’s head of your brother’s security. But you’d think that would mean he’d be at Blake’s side twenty-four seven. Even if that meant following Blake and Sam to Europe.”

“The only times he’s traveled to Albany were for personal parties and events. Otherwise he’s stayed here.”

“To keep an eye on the house? Seems over-the-top, if you ask me.”

“Blake told me they had been friends before he hired him to be his bodyguard. Samantha indicated that Neil had some kind of loyalty to my brother, though I don’t know what for.”

Karen bit into her steak. “God this is good.”

“The best.”

“Do you think Neil saved your brother’s butt in a fight or something?”

“My brother doesn’t fight.” Not with his fists anyway.

Karen laughed. “All men fight if they need to. It’s in their DNA.”

“I completely disagree. I’ve met men who cried over paper cuts.”

Karen rolled her eyes. “OK…I mean men like Blake and Neil. Blake wouldn’t stop his fists from flying if someone pushed him.”

“I suppose you’re right. I don’t know what transpired between them that led Neil to work for my brother. I suppose someday I’ll find out.” Maybe it was time to ask her brother…or ask Samantha to find out for her.

“Neil seems so angry all the time.”

Gwen felt the need to defend him. “Guarded. Not angry.” She remembered the expression on his face when he’d fought the cowboys in Texas. His hazel eyes turned a dark shade of gray and the muscles in his neck strained with every heated breath. Now that was angry.

“Guarded, angry…whatever. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile.”

“It’s devastating when he does.” Gwen felt breathless just thinking of Neil’s smile.

“Oh, man, do you have it bad. I hope you’re not wasting your time with him.”

“Can I tell you something?”

Karen leaned forward.

“The other day, after we went to the shooting range…I swear he was going to kiss me.”

Karen blinked. “And?”

Gwen shook her head. “I don’t know. He backed off. Snapped away really. Like I bit him or something. Do you think he’s not taking advantage of what I clearly told him he could have if he were to ask, because he works for my brother?”

Karen shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. If working with your brother was an obstacle to getting to you…and he wanted you, he’d quit.”

Gwen sighed. “I guess that means he doesn’t want me.”

“The man follows you around, and guards you as if you were made of glass.”

“An obligation to watch over me isn’t the same as wanting me.”

“You said yourself he nearly kissed you.” Karen sipped her wine.

“Then ran away. I’ve not seen him since that day.”

“Something is stopping him, Gwen. Find out what that something is,” she said. “And you’ll find the problem.”

Karen was right. “Do you think there was a woman…someone who hurt him?”

“You never know.”

Gwen picked at her food. “Even if I do find out, there’s no guarantee he’ll come around.” The thought depressed her.

“True. But will you live with never knowing whether things might have worked between you? So long as he works with your brother you’ll see him all the time.”

“I don’t know what to do,” Gwen admitted.

“You have one life, Gwen. And you’re a romantic if I’ve ever seen one. You should follow your heart.”

“So wait for him?”

“Waiting is passive. I’d never advocate you pine away for a man who wasn’t showing interest. I suggest you set a time limit for yourself. And then move on. I know you told him to get a hint the other night…but you’re not ready to move on.”

“Not after the firing range.”

Karen smiled. “Just promise me we won’t be having this conversation next year at my divorce party…OK? If Neil hasn’t stepped up, I’m going to kick your ass to move on.”

“I can drink to that.”

They did.

They finished their meals and stepped into the parking lot. Since Karen had started dating Michael the media and plenty of freelance photographers were often close by snapping pictures of her.

“Looks like the paparazzi took the night off,” Karen said.

Gwen removed her keys from her purse as they stepped to her car. “I still feel like someone is watching me,” Gwen said.

“I’d say you’re paranoid, but I have to agree. Ever since Michael and I started to date I always feel eyes on me.” Karen turned in a circle. “If someone’s watching tonight, I think the stealth eyes are on you. The guys following me don’t care if I see them.”

“Neil?”

She giggled. “You think?”

Perhaps he did care.

Karen walked around to the passenger side of the car and squealed. “Eweeh.”

“What?”

Karen backed away from the car and looked at the ground. “What is up with the suicidal birds?”

At her feet was another dead crow. This one larger than the last.

“Do you think someone knows you don’t like birds?”

Karen’s eyes widened. “Oh, you don’t think…oh, yuck. You think this is here on purpose?”