Gus Declines

"I can't take the job. I can't help her."

Gus turned from the bulletin board he had been studying to find Bob staring at him.

"Is your reason the money?"

Gus frowned. "Of course not." He turned back to the board. Her blue and innocent eyes crowded out anything else within his line of sight. He wanted to get lost in those eyes, he thought, running a hand through his hair. He wedged them in his back pockets.

"Then what?" Bob leaned back in his chair.

Those same keyboards clattered again. A phone rang and a group of men walking in the hallway laughed.

"Prior engagement," he lied. "Besides, I'm not qualified for bodyguard duty. I'm in security. Computers, not personal."

"Bullshit," Bob said.

He could feel his friend's gaze on him. "You find her attractive."

Gus looked at his feet and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'll back off."

He heard Bob laughing. "I'm obviously not getting anywhere with her." He snorted. "She called me her friend."