Secrets by A.R. Hall

Tabitha Grimaldi never expected her life to look like this. Thirty-two and recently divorced. She also never expected to become a cosplaying star and need the services of a bodyguard.
Archie Stryker wasn’t living. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after getting out of the military. He didn’t want to get out; they recommended it. When one of his buddies from his former unit starts a protection agency, it seems like the perfect opportunity to get a fresh start.
He was ready for his first mission until he found out who it was for. The childhood friend he always wished he’d pursued something with. She was the one that got away. But last he heard, she was married.
She needs a different bodyguard. Anyone but him. Can she keep her secret from him? The one that she always loved but knew would never think of her in that way. He was her best friend for the longest time.
The only rule the agency really has is not to get personal with the client. It should be simple. He should have let one of the other guys have this assignment, but he couldn’t afford to let one of them get close to her. Not when he still feels this way about her.
Can you keep a secret from the one that got away?
Can you keep a secret to not ruin a friendship?
Sometimes secrets are needed to not lose someone.