Page 36 of Finding My Bodyguard

You asked me to heal you, but I can’t.

I can only offer my hand to hold while you heal yourself.

I glazed over the message a few more times, allowing it to seep into my soul. London was truly unlike any other man I’d ever encountered, and I honestly didn’t know how to proceed. A small arrow in the corner of the paper told me to flip it over. This time instead of the typed cursive font the message was handwritten.

Go get dressed. I’m taking you on a self-care date. First door on the left.

I smiled reading London’s note. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve such treatment, but I was grateful. I admired the flowers for a while before running upstairs to get dressed for my self-care date. London had this idea in his head that I needed freedom, but I was beginning to think the only thing I needed was him.

As I entered the bedroom, I was greeted by a beautiful silk pajama set hanging on the bathroom door. I wasted no time running into the bathroom and jumping in the shower. I couldn’t wait to see what London had planned for me. I washed my body quickly and placed my hair into puff balls. For some reason, it felt like I should apply a little bit of makeup, so I did. Just enough to give me the perfect natural glow.

If this was a date, I wanted to look my best. I slid my oiled body into the silk pajama set. It fit me perfectly, making me do a little twerk and three-sixty in the mirror. Nobody could tell me I didn’t look like I belonged in a TLC video. I was giving nineties fine, and for the first time in a long time, I felt comfortable in my skin—like nobody else’s opinions of me mattered. This moment needed to be documented. Taking out my camera, I snapped a few selfies before trotting off down the hall to the first door on the left as the note had instructed.

“Should I knock?” I asked myself as I stared at the white door. My hand moved back and forth between turning the knob to tapping on the door. Deciding I didn’t want to startle anyone if some awaited me, I knocked. When I received no response, I turned the doorknob. Tears instantly slipped from my eyes.

“Oh my God!” I gasped as I spun slowly around the room taking it all in. Every wall was covered from floor to ceiling in books. London had made me a little home library. My mouth dropped, and my hand flew to my lips in a pure state of disbelief. There had to be over two hundred titles in here. My feet guided me around the room, and my hand touching the spines of every book I could reach. Some of the titles were familiar and some weren’t. I walked the length of the shelves until I reached a fuzzy rug that housed a cozy looking recliner. In front of the chair, a small end table sat with a bottle of chilled wine. Another note lay on the table.

Because you said reading brings you peace. This date is with your peace.

More tears rained down my face. I didn’t know how London had managed to pull this off, but I was honored that he would go through all this trouble for me. Suddenly, my legs were too weak to support my body. Slowly, I lowered myself into the chair, allowing my body to slink down into the cushions. I couldn’t wrap my head around how a man I’d just met could know exactly what I needed and when I needed it from many miles away.

The urge to hear his voice and thank him for this swept over me. Pulling out my phone, I went to his contact and pressed call. He could have very well been in surgery still, but I had to try. The phone rang four times before going to the voicemail. I sighed, deciding on sending him a selfie of me in my new library instead. I captioned it, enjoying my self-care date, and pressed send. Grabbing the bottle of wine and the glass off the table, I poured myself a drink. Snuggling up into the chair, I pulled a book off the shelf closest to me and cracked it open. I didn’t get far before my phone started vibrating in my lap. Seeing London’s name flash across the screen, I swiped to answer the video call.

“Hey,” I greeted him as he came into view looking fine as hell in his white coat.

“How are you enjoying your date?” His deep voice sailed into the phone. “You look beautiful.”

I smiled. “It’s perfect. How did you do this, and when?”

“A magician never reveals his secret.” He smirked, causing me to giggle.

“This was a magic trick because I didn’t see not one book get carried into this room.”

“I’m glad you were surprised.”

“I was; thank you. You didn’t have to do any of this. I’m very grateful.” I stared into the screen as he moved around what appeared to be his office. London had to be the finest doctor practicing. The way he could pull off scrubs and street attire was the sexiest thing on this planet.

“I read somewhere that healing begins with self-love. An important piece of self-love is being comfortable alone. You comfortable, Chocolate?” He plopped down in a chair behind his desk.

“Very!” I pulled the phone back so he could see how I was lounging in the chair. I watched as he bit into his bottom lip. His eyes were locked on me.

“You know you're fucking beautiful.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“I do,” I boasted. London’s face lit up, and he broke into laughter.

“Oh, you cocky now, huh? Must be them silk pajamas.”

My mouth fell open.

“Yep, my inner Chili coming out,” I joked back. “No for real… I have you to thank for this newfound confidence. So, thank you.” I blew a kiss into the phone.

“Nah, Chocolate, this is all you. I’m just holding your hand remember?” He referenced the note that he’d put in the self-care book.

“And I appreciate every moment. This is perfect.” There weren’t enough words to express how thankful I was for everything London was doing for me. He was truly heaven-sent.

“You're perfect.” He shot back. At this point, I was smiling so hard my face hurt. A knock on his door sounded, and I could see the change in his demeanor. He was going back into doctor mode. “I have to get back to work, Chocolate. Sleepover again tonight?” He was referring to how we had fallen asleep on the phone last night. I’d been pissed at him, but it all seemed to fade. Whatever this was, whatever we were doing, I was going to lean into it fully. There was no chance that God had made a mistake sending this man into my life.

“Yes, just make sure your weekly whore is canceled this time.” I giggled, but I was serious.

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