“Kayla, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but you’ve always been a bit naïve. Trust me on this. That man did not have your best interest in mind.” He pointed to himself. “I’m the only one who does.”
“You reported him because you’re jealous. That’s why you wanted me to have an older bodyguard. You were afraid I would develop feelings for Troy.”
His eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn’t decipher, and the mask began to crack a little. He licked his lips nervously. “That’s crazy. You could never develop feelings for a guy like that.”
If I told him how I felt about Troy, it would be like rubbing salt in a wound, and I wanted to set him straight, not cause him pain. “You don’t even know Troy. He’s a good guy. One of the best, really.”
“No, I’m the best.”
His comment rendered me speechless for a few seconds. I’d always thought of Robert as somewhat humble until now. Now, he just seemed prideful and arrogant and not someone I wanted to spend time with.
“Bottom line, Robert, I’m not happy about what you did. Troy did a good job, and you set out to hurt his career because you felt insecure. That’s not okay.”
He flushed and glanced away, but not before I caught a flicker of anger in his eyes. He rarely got angry with me, so it was a bit surprising. He crossed his arms and fell back against the couch with a thump. “I don’t want this to cause a problem between us. I was just trying to make sure you had the appropriate bodyguard.”
That was not what he was doing, but I didn’t want to argue. I’d said my piece and now it was time to share the rest of what was on my mind. What Lillian had said at the office about him needing to file bankruptcy raced through my thoughts. After a few moments passed, I cleared my throat. “Robert, is everything okay at work?”
He tilted his head to the side and frowned. “Of course. Why are you asking?”
“It’s just… I’m concerned you took on too much when it comes to me. Security costs a fortune.”
His eyes softened. “You’re worth every penny.”
“But…” I cleared my throat. “There’s a rumor going around that you might have to file bankruptcy. Is that true?”
The line between his brows deepened, and the corners of his mouth tilted down. “Who told you that?”
“I can’t say.”
He glanced down for a few moments and then met my gaze. “I’ve lost a few big clients and business has been slow, but it will pick back up. There’s no danger of me having to file bankruptcy.”
I let out a relieved breath. “I’m glad. But hearing that business is slow only confirms what I’m about to tell you.” I pressed my lips together, knowing he wasn’t going to like this. “Earlier today I told Will to discontinue services with Bad Boy Bodyguards. I don’t feel right accepting a service I can’t afford on my own.”
He sat up straight and looked concerned. “I told you, the money isn’t an issue. I want you safe.”
“I shouldn’t have accepted your help in the first place. You meant well, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t want to be indebted to anyone. As soon as I’m able, I’ll pay you back.”
“You’re making a huge mistake.” He scooted closer and put his arm around the back of the couch so it was just above my shoulders. “I need to know you’re okay.” His hand slowly inched closer until it rested on my left shoulder.
It felt wrong. Uncomfortable.
He moved over a few more inches, and I cringed at his proximity. He was now in my personal space, and it was taking everything in me not to freak out. He was a trusted friend, so why was I having this reaction?
“I’m in love with you, Kayla.”
There it was. The reason I was so uncomfortable. I couldn’t return his feelings, not in the way he wanted. Unrequited love was the worst, and after experiencing it on both ends, I didn’t like what I had to say next.
“I’m sorry, Robert, but I don’t feel the same way.” I looked at him and waited for that to sink in, my heart hurting for him. It wasn’t the first time we’d had this discussion, but I hoped it would be the last. Maybe he would finally realize he needed to move on.
But there was no pain in his expression. There wasn’t anger either. Just…nothing. His face remained blank as if he hadn’t fully accepted my words yet. “Eventually you will come to love me.”
I shook my head. “No, you’re not listening to what I’m saying. I don’t have romantic feelings for you, and I never will.”
He stared back at me like he didn’t believe a word I’d just said.
“I hate to do this,” I said, “but I think we need to spend less time with each other so you can meet someone who—”
“No.”
He scooted over a little more until his thigh touched mine, and I practically jumped to my feet and walked to the other side of the room. He needed to stop doing things like that. I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms. “I care about you, but not in the way you want me to. You deserve to move on and find someone else.”
He stood as well, his brows pinched together, the moisture from his armpits soaking through his white long-sleeve shirt. “I won’t lose you.”
His gaze traveled the length of me, and it was like ice water sliding down my back. The hair on my arms rose, and my stomach roiled.
“I should go,” I said, heading for the door.
He moved to block my way, holding up
