Star Struck(43)

Hailey opened her mouth to speak, but Garrett intervened. “I got this. Tre, this is neither the time nor place to discuss personal business. I’m here to protect Hailey. If you’re not here on GT Securities business, I suggest that you leave so I can take care of our client.”

Trevon stood by the door and looked back and forth between Hailey and Garrett. “You’re supposed to be my boy and you.” He shook his head. “I see where your loyalties lie. I’m glad I chose Shareeka over you now.”

Hailey said, “Tre, you’re her problem now; not mine. Now please leave.”

Garrett stood in between him and Hailey. “Man, leave. We’ll talk later.”

“We sure will. This is far from over,” Trevon stormed out the room.

“I thought he would never leave,” Hailey exhaled.

“We’ll have to deal with Tre eventually but for now I’m trying to make sure you’re safe.”

Hailey wrapped her arms around his waist. “Oh, as long as you’re around, I know I am.”

Garrett felt like sticking out his chest. Knowing that she trusted him with her life meant the world to him. He would do whatever he needed to do to keep her safe. He would not let anyone harm her ever again. Trevon was a man of her past and he was her future and it was about time Trevon realized that.



~ 26 ~



Hailey packed enough clothes to last the entire weekend. Garrett had finally convinced her to stay at his place for the weekend. She couldn’t believe she would have access to the bachelor pad for two whole days.

“This is Omar Sampson and he’s going to make sure nobody comes around while you’re at my place,” Garrett said, when Hailey met him out in the hallway.

After the introductions, Garrett showed Omar around the premises. Garrett had expressed to her earlier that he would have a trusted employee house sit for her. She finished packing as Garrett gave Omar instructions.

She double-checked to make sure she had everything. Garrett knocked at the door. “It’s open,” she shouted.

“You’re only going away for a weekend,” Garrett said, as he noticed her two huge suitcases. He grunted after he reached down to pick up the bags. “Man, what do you have in here? The kitchen sink.”

“Just a few essentials. Now come on because you owe me dinner.”

“Since I have you for the entire weekend, why don’t I take you out somewhere tonight but cook for you tomorrow night.”

Hailey blocked the door entrance way. “I don’t know. I was looking forward to a good home cooked meal.” Hailey decided to stop torching Garrett. “Okay. Tomorrow night. No excuses either.”

She followed him down the stairs. She waited while he gave his employee some more instructions. “If anything and I do mean anything happens no matter how small you may think it is, call me as soon as possible.”

It took less than forty minutes to get to Garrett’s place. She was surprised that he lived in a subdivision not too far from hers. She had never had a reason to know where he lived. She was impressed at the houses. “I see you’re full of surprises,” she said out loud.

The garage door opened and she saw his black sports car parked next to the open space. She waited for Garrett to punch in his security code and then followed him into his house. A nice floral fragrance filled her nostrils as he guided her through the house. “I know this isn’t grand like your place, but it’s home,” Garrett said, as he hauled her luggage inside.

“Are you kidding me?” Hailey asked. “I love your home. It’s not what I expected from L.A.’s top bachelor.”

“Life with me is full of surprises Ms. Barnes.” By now, he was opening up a door to a mid-size bedroom. “Here’s where you’ll be sleeping.” He placed the bags next to the bed. “I’m not sure where you want your things. There’s a walk-in closet right there. A bathroom connected to the room so you don’t have to go down the hall.”

“Who decorated for you? One of your women?” Hailey asked.

“For the record, very few women have seen my place.”

She grunted. “That’s hard to believe.”

“I’m too old to play games. If I say it, I mean it,” Garrett assured her.

“I would like to wash up some, so I’ll meet you in about thirty minutes,” she said.

“Don’t you mean an hour?”

“Thirty minutes,” Hailey responded.

Garrett said, “I’ve never known you to be ready in less than hour for anything.”

She reached her hand out. “I bet you I’ll be ready in thirty.”