I swallowed down a lump of some indefinable emotion. I mean, it’s just pizza, right?

It is. Again, not a question. He blew out a breath, shook his head. Jesus, Bender, can’t you let go for just a second? Just let the guard down and drop the tough chick attitude.

I cocked one hip. In case you haven’t noticed, I am a tough chick. I’m sorry if you find my personality so annoying.

Right. You’re so tough you don’t need anyone. Don’t need any friends, any man. Me.

I bit my lip. I didn’t say…

But he didn’t let me finish, his eyes going dark and unreadable behind his thick lashes as his voice rose. Because I’m just a rent-a-goon to you, right? Just the hired muscle. Just some guy to use to your own advantage, just like everyone else in this town, then dismiss as easily as anything when you don’t need him anymore.

That’s not fair! I protested.

No, you know what’s not fair? he asked, his fists clenching at his sides as he took a step toward me.

Instinctively I took one back.

What’s not fair is I really thought there was more to you, Bender. That beneath that armored shell of yours lay an actual caring human being.

I crossed my arms over my chest in a protective gesture, hating the way tears suddenly stung the back of my eyelids. You don’t know me, I countered.

No. You’re right. I don’t. Turns out, I don’t know you at all.

Those tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, but I defiantly held them back. I would not cry. I would not show him how much those words hurt. They didn’t. He was right. Had he ever promised to be more than a bodyguard to me? No. He’d done his job. I was alive, the stalker was behind bars, awaiting a trial that would be providing me salacious headlines for months to come. What more did I expect? Your job is done, what do you care? I shouted back.

His nostrils flared. You think this was all just a job to me?

I bit my lip. Wasn’t it? Again that nasty little hope flared up. Just a little. Just enough that I felt myself watching his lips anxiously as he replied.

He shook his head ever so slightly, his expression almost sad now. God, Tina, if you don’t know the answer to that… He trailed off. Then ran a hand through his hair. Clearly it was a job I never should have taken.

And just like that, the hope died a quick and painful death, shriveling into nothing.

Well, it’s over now. You can leave, I said, biting the inside of my cheek to keep those damned tears at bay.

Cal gave me one last look, then spun around and crossed the street.