Guarding Hearts (Living Again #3) by L. L. Collins Page A

something?”
    “Always.”
    Ellis looked around to see if any of their friends were listening. “I have a problem.”
    “What’s that?” Devin looked concerned.
    Ellis looked down at the sand, where Sam was talking and laughing with the producer of the video. For a moment, he forgot what he was going to talk to Devin about as he watched her throw her head back in carefree laughter.
    “Uh oh,” he heard Devin say from next to him. “It’s her, isn’t it?”
    Ellis looked back at him, narrowing his eyes. Never mind. He couldn’t do it. No matter how great of a friend Devin was, he just couldn’t make the words come out.
    “What are you talking about?”
    Devin looked down at Sam, over at Jessica, then back to Ellis. “You like her, don’t you?”
    “Like who?” Ellis knew he was screwed. Why had he even thought he could ask a simple question to Devin? If there was anyone other than Carl who could read him, it was Devin. Years of working together would do that.
    “Don’t bullshit me, man. I see it, and I’m sure that’s what you were going to ask me about. What I want to know is, what are you going to do about it?”
    Ellis thought about denying it. He should. Saying it out loud was like admitting that he felt something, and he wasn’t someone who felt something. But the problem was, he really wanted Devin’s help and advice.
    Looking back at the group, enthralled with the new babies, he let out a breath slowly. “I have no idea what’s wrong with me.”
    Devin laughed, leaning his forearms on the railing. “What’s wrong with you, El? There’s nothing wrong with you. She’s a beautiful woman, who just so happens to be very successful. You would be blind if you weren’t attracted to her.” He looked back out to the sand, and Ellis followed his gaze. Sam was looking at him, noticing that he was standing up there with the group. She waved and smiled, and he felt Devin’s gaze on him as he smiled and waved back.
    “It’s more than that, isn’t it?” Ellis wanted to groan out loud, to tell him he was ridiculous and no way did he feel anything for anyone after just meeting them. But he couldn’t make his mouth form the words. When he didn’t respond, Devin whistled. “What about Jess?”
    Ellis flicked his eyes to Jessica, cooing at Faith. “It’s not like that, Dev.”
    “What isn’t? You don’t care about Jess, or you don’t care about Sam?”
    Ellis felt anger pulsing through his veins, and he didn’t know why. “I just met her,” he snapped. Devin raised his eyebrow at him, but didn’t respond. Ellis ran his hands through his hair, pulling slightly as he exhaled. “I’m sorry. It’s been a stressful two days, and I’ve spent the whole day today looking to see if anyone was trying to come get her on the beach.”
    “Any leads on that whole stalker thing?” Devin asked, thankfully changing the subject. As much as Ellis thought he wanted his friend’s advice, he wasn’t willing to admit that he needed it anymore.
    “Nothing. And of course the flowers yesterday were a dead end. It’s so crazy to think that whoever this is doing this, he’s slick. I swear that there has to be someone on the inside helping, but no one seems to be able to break anyone. I’m determined I’m going to be the one that figures this out. This is her first tour. She should be enjoying her new fame, not scared to death of some crazy freak out to get her.”
    Devin studied him silently. “I’ll be damned.”
    “What?” Ellis needed to get away from him. He should’ve never invited them here.
    “You guys leave tomorrow, right?” Rachel walked up and linked one arm with him and one with Devin. He wanted to kiss her for interrupting right then.
    “Yes, we are going to the East coast for a few concerts, then to Orlando, then I’ll be back because her Florida tour will be over.”
    “We’ll see about that,” Ellis heard Devin say under his breath. He gave him a look, then turned back to