"Well, happy I could help."
He smiled at her sarcasm. "You should scream."
"What? Why?"
"Because you need to let the stress out."
"I'm not going to do that."
"It might help."
"Screaming into the wind has never helped, but I am going to sit down." She let out a sigh as she took a seat. "Sorry to be a downer. I just need a minute. I'll bounce back."
"I know you will," he said, taking the seat across from her.
"This is a nice view," she said, as the ocean view calmed her anger. "It's peaceful out here. It feels like we're above it all."
"This balcony is what sold me on the place. When I come home, I usually need peace."
"Is your job dangerous? Are you always doing things like this? Bringing people here to protect them?"
"I've never brought anyone here. There's some danger, but it's just part of the job."
"I think you're downplaying it."
He gave her a faint smile. "You've had enough danger talk for the time being."
"You're right. So, did you hire a decorator, because there aren't a lot of personal touches in your place?"
"I hired a very lovely woman named Pam, who picked out everything."
"She did a nice job, although I would have gone for a warmer look. How long have you lived here?"
"Two years."
"Seriously?" she asked in surprise. "That long? Don't you want to make it a little more your own?"
"I don't spend that much time here. I work a lot. Sometimes I'm gone for days or weeks at a time on a case."
"Doesn't sound like you have much time for a social life."
"I don't. My job is not great for long-term relationships."
"Mine is the same way, or maybe it's that way because burying myself in work is better than going home alone," she said candidly. "I feel good when I'm being productive. Too much time alone usually makes me think too much. My imagination can get too active."
"Was Landon the same way?"
"No. He was more pragmatic than I was. I tried to shield him from the worst stuff; I didn't always succeed."
"I'm sure you gave it your all."
"Sometimes that wasn't good enough."
"Growing up the way you did, I can understand why you and Landon were so tight." He took a breath. "There is something Brooke said that made me curious."
"What was that?"
"She said Landon hadn't told you about their relationship because you'd recently broken up with someone, and he didn't want to rub their happiness in your face. Was that true?"
