Page 41 of The Bodyguard

Are these two really friends?

“Lunch with Nick and Savannah in LA. Darina Smith, you are the winner!” Selena, the host, announces.

Darina, the winner in the audience, freezes as her mouth drops open. It looks like she won the damn lottery. Perhaps she feels like she has. Then Darina stands and tears begin to fall down her face as she shakes.

Jesus Christ.

Everyone else is screaming insanely.

“Ugh,” Gina says quietly so only I can hear. “People need to stop believing they’re a couple. They are so dumb.”

I glance down at her. “It’s just PR right?”

She shrugs. “Yeah, but he has a girlfriend.”

Does he?

I hadn’t heard that.

“Who?” I ask Gina. She hushes me, which isn’t required, but I turn my focus back to Savannah, who is smiling but not happy.

Her eyes find me in the shadows, and I take a step out without thinking. I mouth what’s wrong? But the producer notices and finally the host takes control.

“Okay, okay.” Selena waves her hands, calming the crowd. “Stay after the show and we’ll get you more details.” Then she looks back at Savannah. “So, wow.”

“Yes. Wow.” Savannah fakes a smile once more. “Wild.”

What the hell is going on?

“Well, we have a clip of your new movie. Let’s take a look.” Selena says into the camera.

As the video clip plays, our eyes meet one more time and I know she is ready to get offstage.

I’m itching to go to her and find out what’s wrong. I fucking hate it. Which makes no sense, as she is not in any danger.

A few minutes later Savannah stands, waves at the crowd and then walks off set as they go to a commercial break.

“Get me the fuck out of here,” she growls as she passes me and Gina without another word.

I immediately close ranks and move everyone with my outstretched arm as she strides through the hallway down to her dressing room.

Briar and Luis are still there, but everyone else has left.

“Out, out,” Savannah says when she opens the door. They look startled, glancing up from their mobile phones. “Out!”

“What’s wrong?” Briar gasps.

“I need everyone out,” she repeats. “Please.”

Gina stands back but reaches for her bag and doesn’t argue. I guess she knows her friend well.

Briar and Luis grab their bags and give me a concerned look as I step in and check the room.

Unnecessarily but it’s my job.

“Is—” Luis starts but stops when Savannah glares at him.

With my inspection done, I follow them both out the door and pull it closed.