Page 48 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“I remember a lot. Like I said, more than stuffing in here.” I tap my head.

She glances away – the red brake lights of the car before us, highlighting the confusion on her face. She clears her throat. “Yeah. We’ll see tomorrow.”

***

Tomorrow comes faster than I’d like. I haven’t had time to process yesterday. How gentle and honest and … wholesome Sofia was, how well she fit in with my family and the fact that we actually had a good time together.

Cash had called us last night when we got back in, giving us the green light to proceed today. It had been a week since the attack, and there’s been no sign of anything amiss. We’re still on a tight leash;nothing but from the safehouse to work.[A3]But I’m relieved to get out of the house. It’s easier being around Sofia when there are a dozen other people sharing the space.

When we get to work, Sofia back in her slacks and button-up combo, I’m sure the moment we shared on Sunday is already gone. Whatever was there … it was fake, right? Just to make things easier on me.

I take my mind off her and instead focus on the job I’m being paid to do. Moving to the windows, I scan the street. About an hour into the day, my attention narrows on a tall, tattooed guy who’s walked by about three times and glanced in the office windows each time. It could be a coincidence, but I won’t leave it to chance. I take a few pics of him and send them to Cash. Hopefully, he’s just a random guy who’s lost or something.

As I walk towards Sofia, I spot my sister coming down the hallway towards us, bringing me up short. Detouring, I move towards her, and her face brightens when she sees me.

“Daisy? What are you doing here?”

“I came into the city to handle an emergency close by, and I didn’t want to leave without checking in.”

“What kind of an emergency?”

“Nothing serious. Don’t worry about it.” But her eyes immediately fall to her feet, the way it usually does when she’s lying.

“Daisy.”

Her eyes flick up to me, and she smiles, reaching to stroke my arm. “It’s nothing, I swear. I’ll tell you about it when the time is right.”

Before I can push her further, the stationery room door beside us opens, and Carissa steps out. I move to introduce them, but they are already squealing and running towards each other.

“Carissa!”

“Daisy!”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, my God, how long has it been?”

My eyes flick to my right as Sofia comes up to us, looking just as befuddled as I am. Carissa and Daisy break apart, and they both turn to me. For some reason, it feels like I’m caught under a microscope.

“I see you two already know each other,” I say, and Daisy nods.

“Carissa and I go way back, since high school. It’s been years, though. Oh wow, what a small world, huh?”

“I know, right?” Carissa says, gesturing to Sofia. “I want you to meet my best friend, Sofia.”

“We’ve already met,” Daisy says, and I feel my chest tighten. There’s an urge to clamp my hand over her big mouth, but it’s too late anyway. She’s already spewing details I wanted to keep from Carissa. “Jasper brought her to meet me yesterday.”

“Oh, that’s… nice.” Carissa’s response sounds empty, although there’s a smile on her face.

“It was just a simple dinner, nothing else,” Sofia speaks up, the alarm clear on her face.

“Was it, though?” Daisy says with a sly grin, and I facepalm in my head. She soon notices the tension on my face, and her smile diminishes. Her eyes shift between us, and her brain starts connecting the dots. “Oh… um… yeah, it was just dinner. Sofia played with my daughter the entire afternoon while Jasper and I talked about family stuff—okay, I think I’m going to shut up now.”

We stand there for an awkward beat until an office door opens, and I’m never more relieved to see Sofia’s boss emerge. He gives me a cool stare like he’s been doing since I started accompanying Sofia to work, then he beckons to her.

“I need a minute, Sofia,” he says.

Sofia seems just as relieved to get called away. Without saying a word, she dashes towards her boss. I watch the office door close before turning to Carissa. I feel like shit. Why the hell did I give in to Sofia’s prodding and ask her out? I should have left her alone. Now, I’m faced with dealing with a woman I unintentionally hurt.

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