“You meant everything to me, Emerson Hart... you still mean everything to me.”

The world knows her as America’s Sweetheart, but to me, she’ll always be my friend’s little sister.

The girl who blossomed into the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

The one who stole my heart when I wasn’t quite paying attention.

My Tink.

Yet, when confronted with my demons, I made a decision that tore us apart.

One that has continued to haunt me every single day since.

And though I’ve spent the last five years watching her rise to fame, I’ve continued to love her with every broken part of me.

From a distance.

Until fate steps in, and we’re thrust together when her safety comes into question.

So I’ll do my job.

I’ll be her bodyguard.

I'll protect her—with my life if it comes to it—but I won’t trick myself into believing it can ever be more than that.

However, old habits are hard to break, and even though I know I shouldn't, I find myself powerless against the pull between us.

No matter how hard I try, she’s a weakness I can’t resist succumbing to.

But how can we find a way to be together when her very life may end up being the cost?