Page 54 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“He was always nice on Christmas, though. Made an effort, probably because our aunt and her family would come over. Aunt Val is my mom’s sister. She’d bring presents for all of us, she’d make cookies and let us drink chocolate milk until we were sick of it.”

Sofia wiggles a little closer. After a long moment, she lifts her head. “My dad took my brother and me to see Spiderman when it came out in theaters. He acted like we were going to school, but we took the whole day off. We saw the movie, hung out at the mall, and when my brother tried to say I’d never be a hero because I was a girl … my dad said anyone could be as long as they always looked out for people.”

I smile and brush her hair from her face. “So, all this time, you just wanted to be Spiderman?”

“Don’t tease.”

“No, I see it now.” I lean towards her. “In this light, absolutely. Friendly neighborhood hero protecting and caring for people when others don’t.”

She leans into my hand, closing her eyes as I brush my thumb over her cheek. She exhales slowly. “You can be charming when you want to be.”

“You don’t sound half as surprised as I expected.”

“Two truths and a lie?” She offers.

I nod.

“I think you’re likeable without the lies. Alcohol would help right now. I left my phone at work.” She lists.

“Hmm. Normally, I’d say the first one.” But she blushes slightly, and I know it’s true. “No way you left your phone.”

She laughs softly and nods. “Yeah, it’s in my purse. Your turn.”

“I’m excited for pizza.” I stroke her hair again. “You have very soft hair. I think we should put on ESPN.”

Sofia shakes her head at me. “ESPN.”

“Your turn.”

She licks across her bottom lip. “How about a confession instead?”

I lean closer. “What do you mean?”

“I know about your leg.” When I start to pull away, she follows. “Why didn’t you tell me, Jasper? Daisy thought I already knew, but you could have said something.”

“Why? So you could give me shit about being able to protect you? So you could call me broken or-”

“I wouldn’t have.”

“Come on, Sofia -”

“Just listen for a second.” She catches my hand, then adjusts so she’s on her knees. “The way you’ve been protecting me since we met, there’s no way I could doubt how capable you are. Besides, you know what I do for a living, you know the people I work with. Have you ever seen me look down on them?”

“No.”

“I won’t ask how it happened.” She says it with the seal of a promise. “It’s not my business. But you don’t have to hide it from me. Okay? That’s all.”

I watch as she sits back on her heels. Groaning, I sit up. “Damaged it in combat. Worthy of discharge. That’s all.”

“That’s all,” she repeats, then bites her lip.

“One, I had no idea about your leg until Daisy told me. Two, it doesn’t change how I see you or my trust in you. Three, I know you said we need to keep low, but I can’t survive being locked in a motel while sober. We need alcohol.”

“Sofia—”

“Pretty please…”

Sighing, I shake my head at her. I’m either already whipped after our first kiss or my common sense has fled out the door. “Can I trust you to stay here while I run to the liquor store?”

---