Page 55 of Her Cruel Bodyguard

“Yes,” I peel my lips away from Eva’s forehead and stare at the jealous boy in my arms. I can’t say if he is jealous because Eva is letting me kiss her forehead or because I am kissing her forehead instead of his.

“You can kiss my forehead, too,” Eva steps closer and taps her index finger on her forehead.

Jake happily stretches forward and kisses her on the forehead, refusing to take his lips off her head. She chuckles, and then it turns into laughter the longer he keeps his lips on it.

I find myself smiling as I stare at Eva tickling Jake’s belly to get his lips off her forehead. He laughs unrestrainedly, clasping her head in his small hands to hold onto his position of smothering her with his icing-coated kiss.

I want this.

I want this forever. I want this to be my happy ever after.

But am I worthy of it?

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

EVA

It might be in my head.

I am feeling this new wave of energy crushing against my heart like a tidal wave.

“Let’s get you home,” I kiss Jake on the cheeks and drop him in the backseat of the car, helping him lock in his seatbelt.

He is full of life, and I am happy for him. But it’s late, and my skin is reacting to butter icing. I feel itchy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Are we set?” Fabio hollers over his shoulder at Jake and me, his phone still on his ear. He excused himself a minute ago to call Mindy and tell her all was okay.

“Almost,” I smile at Jake, draw back, and close the door gently. “Set,” I strut to the passenger seat and hop in it.

Fabio continues his call while I watch him, pretending to check myself out through the vanity mirror.

I can’t help myself.

“Thank you,” Jake mumbles behind me. Thank you for rescuing me,” he says, chewing his lips as I give him a warm stare over my shoulder. And thank you for liking my Dad,” he drops his eyes.

“You are welcome. About your Dad…”

“I know, you like me more than you like him,” he takes up a scolding tone and I fight the urge not to laugh.

“How can I not?” I smile at him. “You make it easy to like you more.” I throw him a wink.

“He likes you too,” Jake yawns and throws his head to the side. “He likes you very much. Does he tell a lot?”

I shake my head. “No,” I swallow the bile of my hurt, and he nods.

“He doesn’t tell me either, but I know he likes me,” he folds his legs on the seat and smiles brightly. “He won’t come to my school, but my mom says he asks about everything all the time,” he shrugs. “He is busy, she said so,” he scoots forward, his green eyes taking a curious coating. “He is like Batman, right? Catching the bad guys,” he chuckles, then giggles, thinking about it some more. “He owns a gun, a real gun,” he puffs, swelling with pride.

I nod, saying nothing but offering my unfaltering smile.

I can’t burst his bubble and tell him his father is the bad guy. I can’t say that because it’s a little complicated. But I doubt whatever I say will hurt his feelings or change his mind about his father being the superhero in this story.

“Are you his sidekick?” He points his index finger at me. “I am supposed to be his sidekick,” he sinks back in his seat.

“And you are,” I reach out and massage his knee. “You were brave today, that’s more than enough superpower,” I don’t know if I make any sense but thank goodness he is six because he nods and straightens his shoulders.

We are alike. Giving our hearts out to someone who does not return the gesture. But Jake wears his role better than I can ever attempt.

Jake has found a silver lining in all of this, and he is not letting go of it.

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