20 Questions

Chapter 121

The sound of my alarm makes me groan and when I roll over to give Hunter a good morning kiss, my hand falls on the soft mattress.  He's never up before me during the week.  It makes me wonder if he got any sleep after everything that happened last night.  A man died in our house and at the hands of my husband.  It's a lot to process and I hope Hunter and I can have a quiet evening to discuss everything.  If I didn't have three interviews lined up today, I would call into work.  I'm exhausted, mentally and physically.

I get myself dressed and ready for the day before walking out to the kitchen.  Elijah and Hunter are sitting at the kitchen table, discussing who knows what over a pot of coffee.  They hear the door open and both rise to their feet, eyeing me cautiously.  I offer a shy smile, which they reciprocate before sitting back down and resuming their conversation.

I don't know who is going to be escorting me to work today, but I know for a fact I won't be flying solo.  When all this is over, it's gonna be weird going to work by myself.  Although I have inadvertently enrolled myself in the Bodyguard of the Week club, I sincerely hope Elijah doesn't put someone like Devin with me again.  I've yet to move past the disrespectful things he said to me.  Maybe I should just stop trying to talk to them all together.  Chit chat hasn't really worked out well for me in the past.  Nonetheless, whichever poor sap draws the short straw will be getting the Cliff's notes version of Not Cramping Jenna's Style at Work 101 because I don't have the energy to deal with it today.

I place a kiss on Hunter's cheek and give Elijah's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"You look beautiful this morning," Hunter says as I shimmy into the kitchen to grab a bottle of sweet tea and a granola bar. 

I glance down at the black dress pants and solid lavender blouse I chose this morning, shooting him a pointed look.  My hair is in a messy bun on top of my head and my makeup is minimal at best.  I should have spent a little more time on my appearance this morning considering I am conducting interviews, but I don't care.  These people have no idea what kind of night I just had.

"I see we are embracing our sarcasm this morning," I deadpan.

"I'm not being sarcastic.  You really do look beautiful," he argues.

He must want something.

"I agree," Elijah pipes in.  "You look stunning."

He must want something, too.

I haven't made them a homecooked meal in a couple nights, so that's probably what they're after.  Hunter reaches over and punches Elijah's shoulder for checking out his wife and they laugh together.  Evidently, manslaughter has put them in a chipper mood. 

Whatever.  I'm too tired to care.

"So, Commander, have you selected a new bodyguard yet for me to run off in a couple days?"

"Yes," he smiles.  "He should be here shortly to pick you up.  I think this one will be a keeper though." 

I snort and walk into the bedroom to grab my boots.  I doubt it.  My track record with bodyguards isn't that great and I don't have high hopes.  The guys carry on with their morning conversation while I apply a little more makeup.  I have a few minutes before the new guy gets here so I may as well put some effort into my appearance.  Jay and another member of the team have come upstairs to join the round table discussion, but I don't feel like talking this morning. 

I'm finishing up putting on lipstick when I hear the doorbell ring, indicating my new bodyguard is here.  I groan to myself because I'm confident my day is going to be filled with uncomfortable silence and directing the new guy which routes to take, when I need to be alone in my office and how long I prefer to take in the bathroom.