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“How’d you find this place?” Gabe asks, sliding onto a stool next to me.
The black-and-white checkered tiles have seen better days, and the person at the cash register is cranky as a goose, but the staff is practically family, and the food is always excellent.
“I’ve been coming here since I was little. I’m not sure how my parents found it, now that you mention it. Anthony has just been one of those figures in the background of my life, you know?”
Gabe’s brows lift, but he remains silent.
“I make it a point to stop by whenever I’m in town.”
Gabe half turns, glancing at the collection of photographs on the walls. Celebrities, politicians, regulars. Anthony treats them all equally. “I like its character.”
“Me too.”
Out the front window, I see my new bodyguard talking with Gabe’s. “You always have a body man?”
“Most of the time. They keep their distance. Until they don’t.”
I cock my head. “Meaning?”
“There was a stretch when I was in a lot of magazines. On TV. That kind of thing. Let’s just say I had increased security those years.”
He says that so nonchalantly, like being a whiz kid and popular to boot is normal. But what sacrifices had he made to accomplish everything he has? What has he missed out on along his way to the top?
I can imagine him at a conference with a team of men in black surrounding him, cutting through the throng of people like a hot knife slices through butter.
“But not so much lately?”
He shrugs. “Being with Alex is like having an extra bodyguard.”
My lips twitch. He’s not wrong.
“Does it bother you?” he asks, reaching for his soda.
I glance at Tomasz again. Protection is necessary for a certain segment of the population. I’ve always been aware of that. At the same time, I’ve always tried to live my life in a way that doesn’t leave me looking over my shoulder. Which is absolutely a place of privilege, I get it.
And it feels a little weird that Alex made the decision without consulting me, but I’m sure he had his reasons. Tomasz seems like a good guy, so no complaints there. Being shadowed all the time, though... That will take some getting used to. And maybe it’ll only be until the current storm surrounding Katherine blows over.
So I glance back at Gabe and shake my head. “Hope he can run.”
There’s a flash of bright white teeth as he grins. “Oh, I’m sure he can keep up. Alex hires the best of the best.”
Anthony appears from the back, a plate in each hand and a yellowing apron tied around his belly. “Here you go.”
“Thank you,” Gabe murmurs.
“Thanks, Anthony.”
“Sure, sure. Good to see you, King. How’ve you been?”
We make small talk, and I introduce him to Gabe, who seems a little surprised at the average, everyday welcome. Anthony isn’t the type to readForbesor keep up with the latest tech. He likes things old school and if it isn’t broken, he’s not going to fix it.
He’s also not the type to pay much attention to the media, which is probably what my parents appreciate about him.
“I’ll let you guys eat. Thanks for coming in.”
“Of course.”
As he heads off, Gabe takes a big bite of his Italian sub, and the groan that comes from his chest makes parts of me sit up and take notice. Parts that should stay dormant so I don’t embarrass myself in front of old family friends.