Let's Try it Again

More Than Just a Pretty Face

She was in her room packing up her things. They were done in New York and headed off to Chicago. She was folding some jeans, when she heard a light rap on the door. She sighed and threw a pair of unfolded jeans on top of the pile of neatly folded clothes.

She walked to the door and opened it up to see Ali. Standing behind her, was a tall man with dark blond hair. She was unable to see his eyes, but he was very muscular. He had on a cop uniform and Aviator Shades. "How are you doing?"

Amelia tore her eyes away from the tall drink of water and shrugged. "Keep expecting him to come tear down my door."

Ali looked past Amelia to see the suitcase on the bed. "Well, we are leaving for Chicago in the morning." She finally turned to the man standing behind her and gestured towards him. "This is Officer Callaghan. I've hired him to come along with us on tour."

Amelia looked at him again ,noticing he was looking at her. "I don't need a babysitter."

Ali sighed. "Amelia, please. It's for your protection. I don't like the way Justin just waltzed in here, even with our bodyguards. Officer Callaghan here is to be with you at all times. Until things calm down."

Amelia crossed her arms, stealing a glance at him. "Well, I don't like it."

Ali sighed and turned to Officer Callaghan when the door closed. "She can be a little trying at times."

He smiled and crossed his arms. "I like a challenge."

Ali smiled. 'Thanks again Bryan for doing this for me."

"That's what friends are for."

Ali bide good night and Bryan  stood his guard at the door, trying to get his mind off that beautiful lady inside. He was on duty and he never crossed the line.

***
Amelia woke up the next morning and took a quick shower. She packed the rest of her things and called downstairs to ask for a bell hop to take her bag downstairs.

Ali called her to tell Amelia that she was downstairs and would love to have breakfast. Amelia tucked her makeup bag in her purse and opened the door. When she did, she took a step back. Standing at the door was Officer Callaghan. "Have you been there all night?"

He  had his glasses tucked into the pocket of his shirt and Amelia could see that his eyes were a beautiful emerald green. "No Ma'am. Just came back on duty. I'm here to escort you to the lounge."

Amelia shut the hotel door and looked over her shoulder. "Well, I don't need a babysitter."

"I'm not a babysitter Ma'am. I'm doing my job."

Amelia turned to him and held up her hand. "First of all, stop calling me Ma'am. Makes me feel so old. Second, I can't be calling you Officer Callaghan all the time. What is your first name?"

Bryan stopped at the elevator and pushed the button. "Bryan."

Amelia eyes swept his body and she quickly looked away as he turned to face her. "hmmm, OK."

The door slid open and Bryan stepped inside first, making sure it was clear. Amelia stepped into the car and let out a small breath as the door slid shut. She looked up at the numbers ticking down, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Bryan was looking at her.

Joe was not in the best of moods as he walked to the lounge where the breakfast buffet was set up. He had tossed and turned all night, thinking on the situation with Amelia and that jerk she called her boyfriend.

He noticed the rest of the guys were sitting at the table, tucking into their breakfasts. Joe slid into an empty seat next to Donnie and reached for the carafe of coffee.

Jordan pointed at Joe with his fork. "Dude, you don't look so good. Get any sleep last night?"

Joe poured the cream into his coffee and stirred it with his spoon. "Like a baby."

Jon laughed. "Well, for the constant tossing and turning, I'd have to say otherwise."

Donnie noticed Amelia step into the lounge and walk over to the table where Ali was sitting. Walking behind Amelia, was a huge weight lifter type guy and he was scanning the lounge. "Who is that?"

Joe looked up from the coffee mug to see the man step up to Amelia as she plated some eggs onto her plate. He crossed his huge arms over his chest, his eyes scoping the restaurant. Joe noticed that Amelia would steal a glance at him and when the man looked at her, she put on a frown.

He slid his chair back and walked up to the buffet line where Amelia was putting cream cheese on her bagel. "I hear the eggs are powered. Don't taste so good."

Amelia turned her head to see Joe and she smiled. "That's what ketchup's for."

"Sir," Bryan said as he stepped up to Joe, "But I'm gonna have to ask you to take a step back."

Amelia sighed and threw the knife on the table and turned to face the man, her hands on her hips. "Stop this Bryan. Good lord, I told you I don't need a babysitter."

Bryan pointed in the direction of Ali. "I was hired by that woman over there to make sure you are safe." He glared at Joe.

Amelia sighed and put a hand to her head. "I understand that. But he is a friend. All of those guys sitting at that table are friends. OK?"

Bryan held up his hand. "Just doing my job."

Amelia sighed and turned away from Joe and walked over to the table where Ali was sitting and sat down. "Good lord Ali. Great job on getting that guy."

Ali smiled as she took a bite out of her bagel. "Bryan? He's harmless." She smiled and wiped her mouth. "From the way he's looking at you, I think he likes you."

Amelia sighed and crossed her arms, noticing Joe was looking over in her direction. She then noticed Bryan was looking at her as well and she shook her head to clear all thoughts. Things were about to get a little more complicated.