The Bodyguard

Chapter 19

TORI

When life settles down, it feels like it won't remain calm indefinitely. Inevitably, something disrupts the peace; in my experience, that's precisely what occurred.

I cooked a gourmet dish of cedar-plank salmon with roasted green beans, mashed potatoes, and chocolate mouse for dessert tonight. It was delicious, paired with a couple of glasses of wine.

After dinner, we all sat out by the pool. Now that it was September, summer was ending, and I knew there wouldn't be many more days like this outside until next year. I smiled as I sat in the lounge chair in my black bikini with my best friend and bodyguards. How could this get any better?

"Tori, let's get in the water and play chicken fight," Arianna said enthusiastically.

I laughed. "You want to get in the water and mess up your hair?"

Arianna shrugged. "I have an appointment tomorrow, so who cares if it gets messed up today? Come on, we used to play all the time!"

Arianna was right. Sam, Logan, Arianna, and I all used to play chicken fights in this very pool. Those were some good times.

"Alright, team up!"

Daniel shouted, "Dibs on Oliver!"

We all laughed. Theo, Oliver, and Archer entered the pool first, followed by the rest of us climbing onto their shoulders. Arianna began pushing against us swiftly, but Theo was sturdy and maintained a firm grip. Daniel was the first to fall back into the water, taking Oliver with him.

"Oh, it's on," I declared with a smirk to my best friend, and we started playfully flinging our arms at each other like children. It was all fun and games until we stumbled, and Theo and I plunged underwater.

I emerged from the water, taking in a breath of fresh air, and frowned at Theo. "You were supposed to hold on better than that.

Theo chuckled and pecked me on the lips. "Sorry, Tesoro. We will get her next time."

Theo and I looked over at Arianna and Archer. Arianna was jubilantly pumping her arms in the air, thrilled to have finally beat me at chicken. It was endearing to see her so pleased, and even more so when Archer lifted her out of the pool and kissed her, all in front of everyone. Arianna was surprised at Archer's actions but returned the kiss and fell back into the pool with Archer, making us all chuckle.

"Get a room," I shouted.

"Maybe I will, and there is plenty in your house!"

"Um, no, thank you. Why don't you go to your house? I am sure Archer would love to see your hot tub."

All jokes aside, Arianna was already staying at my house tonight. She would visit every so often because, like me, before I had bodyguards, I lived alone. If things continued to go well with Archer, I hoped he would move in with her.

Following another hour in the pool and triumphing in several games of chicken to show Arianna wasn't superior, we all agreed it was time to call it a night. Nearing midnight, we retreated to our rooms, yet Theo and I remained awake.

"Sweetheart, we need to go to sleep," Theo said.

I put on a pouty face. "But we're almost done with the movie. I've been dying to watch this with you."

"And I love you, but I've been dying to do other things."

I raised my brow and playfully smiled. "Other things?"

Theo crushed my body with his and kissed me. "It's not easy to maintain control when everyone else is watching us."

"No one said you couldn't kiss me."