Page 98 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“No.” I shake my head and kiss him again. “The real one. Where you had to fight off gangsters and fight me until I couldn’t help falling in love for you. So intensely, head over heels love that I even agreed to getting a dog in the future.”

“A dog?” He chuckles then kisses me again. “Now I know it’s true.”

“And I’ll remind you every day. I love you.” I smile. “Te amo, estúpido.”

Epilogue

Jasper

1 year later

Turning onto our street after leaving work at the VA, I smile at the sight of the white picket fence around our house. It’s been three months since Sofia and I moved into our new home, but I’m still not used to the view. It feels surreal that everything I hoped for is now manifested in my life. I’m a lucky man. I thank the universe every day.

Sofia already told me she’ll be late tonight, but I’m not surprised. She just got promoted and now that she has the entire company under her control, she’s making changes that are improving the city.

She’s even working with her dad to get new legislation passed to safeguard the welfare of young, homeless kids. Even with her softening for me, she’s a fierce momma bear when it comes to making lives better for others. And it just makes me love her more.

I don’t mind being the silent support at home, working a nine to five, keeping things clean, planning dates. Like tonight. She’s not going to know what hit her. I take care of a few things around the house, namely picking up and doing my laundry.

Then I set some candles up on our little dining table, order Thai food, since she’s been talking about how much she craves it. When I’m done with setting up, I remove the engagement ring I bought six months ago from its hiding spot. Life has been so busy, and Sofia is still hard to read when it comes to relationship points. But I’m sure she’s ready for this next step.

Last month, she introduced me to her mother and her brother. She’s met all my family. We’ve been living together since I got out of the hospital. We partner on work projects. And we have been doing well.

No major fights since she lost her shit with me for leaving plates out for a week. We’ve made efforts to share the important and unimportant stuff. We’ve balanced plans with spontaneity. It’s been work, true work, but every morning I wake up and fall in love with her all over again. On the hard days, I choose to love her more than whatever’s bothering me.

The sound of the front door opening makes me jam in the ring box in my back pocket. Shit. Why is Sofia already home?

“Hello!” Daisy calls, yelling into the house. “Anyone home? Anyone fucking?”

Damn it. I should have planned better when we moved. Living two streets away from my sister has led to more awkward moments than anything else. I walk into the dining room to find her staring at the setup, a tiny pout on her face. “What are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to check in on my favorite brother.”

“I’m your only brother, and I can’t watch Ellie tonight. I have plans.” I motion to the table.

“Damn it.”

“Looks like you’re actually going to have to use a babysitter, aren’t you?” I tease.

She sighs and rubs her hand over her forehead. “I just want things to go well with Trent. I think I’m ready.”

“To give him boyfriend status, after dating for a year?” I smirk. “Wow. And I thought you were the romantic one.”

“Shut up! And bullshit.” She smacks me. “I move slow, for Ellie’s sake.”

“I know.” I hug her. “Ashton would approve of him. He’d love him for you and Ellie.”

She sniffs. “Now you’re getting sappy. I didn’t come over here to cry.”

“I know why you came over here. But I mean it. I can’t watch Ellie. It’s a big night,” I insist.

“Oh? You mean like that?” She motions to the outline of the box in my pants pocket. “It looks like you’re about to change Sofia’s title.”

She lunges at me and pulls it out before I can stop her, dancing around the table as she stares at it. “Ooh, what a ring. I’m sure she’ll say yes.”

“Daisy!” I try to get it back from her.

She giggles and shoves it against my chest. “I guess I can find something to do … that involves Ellie. Putt-putt or something.”

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