Page 78 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“My princess is gone, and I’m sad.”

“Are you going to turn into a frog?” she asks seriously, squishing my face between her hands.

I laugh once. “I certainly hope not.”

“Ellie!” Daisy comes up behind her, then looks at me, eyes worried. “Where’s Sofia?”

“She’s safe,” I promise. “With her father. Where she needs to be.” I step inside, adding, “I need a place to crash for a while.”

“You don’t need to ask, Jasper. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Are you hungry? I have leftovers from dinner.” Daisy shuts the door behind me. “Oh, before you take another step, I have company.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head. “It’s fine. Just giving you a heads up.”

Before I get to ask her what she means, I round the corner to the kitchen and spot Carissa leaning against the counter. She jumps when she sees me, then arranges a smile on her face. I rub the back of my head. This is what Sofia was worried about. This exact awkwardness.

“Hi, Carissa. How have you been?”

She shrugs. “Um… still a little shaken up, but I’m fine, I guess. Where’s Sofia? Is she okay? I’ve been calling her cell phone for days.”

“Hey, Ellie. Why don’t you come with me? Let’s get a bath,” Daisy jumps in before I reply.

“But Uncle Jasper lost his princess,” Ellie says with a pout.

“He’ll be okay,” Daisy assures, looking at Carissa and me over her shoulder.

Once she’s out of earshot, I sit down around the counter and rest my elbows on top. “Sofia’s fine. She’s with her Dad and a few guys who will ensure she remains safe and sound.”

“Oh, thank God,” Carissa breathes, plopping down on the stool across from me. “I’ve been so worried. I came to Daisy’s, hoping she’d heard from you. But when she didn’t, I thought the worst. I’m so glad she’s okay.”

“You’re a good person, Carissa. You know that, right?”

“Yep. I know,” Carissa smiles, then offers me a cookie from the jar. I return her smile and take it.

“I’m sorry about… you know.”

She nods. “I’m a little hurt, but I understand, Jasper. The heart wants what it wants, isn’t that what they always say? I get why you chose Sofia. A lot of people like her. It’s just so rare for her to like them back, so I know you must be something special to her.” She takes a shuttering breath. “And we knew there wasn’t any chemistry from the first date. I knew.”

I’m sorry for hurting you,” I insist. “I never meant to.”

She shrugs. “When you wear your heart on your sleeve, it gets broken. I’m always prepared for the worst.”

I shake my head and take her hand, squeezing it a little. “You’re too good for me, anyway. You deserve a real prince. One with a whole country to offer you.”

“You’re speaking my language. You know anyone?”

I laugh and shake my head. “I’ll definitely keep my eye out for your prince charming, how about that?”

“Sounds good.” She sticks out her hand. “Friends?”

“Friends.”

She squeezes my hand, and I give an exaggerated wince. “Ouch!”

“There’s more where that came from if you ever break my best friend’s heart. You got that?”

“Loud and clear, ma’am.”

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