Page 45 of Daddy's Bodyguard

“I’ll be here if you decide to tell her everything,” I promise. “You don’t have to do it alone, Daisy.”

“Thanks, Jaz.”

I roll my eyes at the nickname. “I don’t like when Ellie calls me that, but she gets a pass. You don’t.”

She pouts, giving me puppy dog eyes that have always worked and probably always will. Then she glances behind her as Ellie giggles from inside. “And how areyou?”

“Eager to make this my last job before I settle down. I’m not sure what I want to do, though. I’m not sure what I’m qualified to do. I could be a recruiter, but …”

“But.” Her eyes fall to her lap. “You’d think of Rick the whole time.”

I look down at my drink. My brother is pretty high on the list of things we don’t talk about. His first tour, his first week, and he became a victim of a bomb attack. There was barely enough of him to send home. He’d wanted to uphold dad’s legacy with me, and it got him killed.

“Yeah.” I nod.

“Speaking of family …”

“No.”

“Dad’s been wondering when you’re going to visit. He knows you’re around, as in … in state, and he’s hurt you haven’t tried to get in touch.”

“You mean angry.”

“If you’d just listen to him, you’d see how much you matter to him.” She takes my hand. “He’s just bad at expressing how he feels.”

“And it’s not my job to be a therapist or deal with his shitty attitude, Daze. If he’s going to be an asshole, he can, but not to me. I won’t tolerate it.”

She slumps back in her chair. “You’re a lot like him, you know. So stubborn.”

“I’m nothing like that man. I make people laugh.”

“Of course, you do.” She rolls her eyes. “And you avoid your problems, ignore what’s right in front of you, and plow forward as if the past won’t catch up with you.”

“Not if I’m fast enough.”

She continues to stare at me until I roll my eyes. “Look, some stuff is private, and I get to choose who knows what about me. It’s that simple. I’ll talk the intense stuff with the right person.”

“Friends?”

“They were there, they don’t need the recap.” I take a drink.

“Family.” She nods.

“You and I did our talking.” I wave away.

“So you’re saving all this to dump on your imaginary girlfriend? Counseling. Go to it. Embrace it. Learn to love it. I promise it helps.” She half begs. “Really. It does. I wouldn’t talk about it if I didn’t think it would help.”

“Maybe I don’t need help. Maybe I’m good as is.”

“What’s the longest you’ve managed to sleep since you got back?” She counters.

“Six whole hours.”

“Uninterrupted.” When I don’t answer she smirks. “I know a good office. I’ll give them your number as soon as I check your wound.”

“It’s fine.”

Before Daisy can argue with me, Ellie comes back out, glitter on her cheeks, pink lipstick on her lips, and her fingers covered in colors. I turn and see Sofia coming slowly towards us wearing purple and pink eyeshadow, glitter everywhere, and bright red lips and pink cheeks.

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