Page 79 of Daddy's Bodyguard

We sit in silence for a moment while I send Sofia a text, hoping she had already turned on her phone. But there’s no response. I’m not surprised if I never hear from her again.

“So, are you guys a thing now?” Carissa asks, and I lift my eyes from the phone to meet her curious stare.

“I don’t know what we are right now. She’s furious with me.”

Carissa frowns. “What did you do?”

“Nothing but try to protect her. She’s mad at me for leaving her behind. But I had no choice, plus it’s what’s best for her.” I lean back with a sigh. “It’s one of the hardest things to let her go. But her safety is more important than my love for her.”

“Wait. Rewind. You’re in love with her?”

I nod, closing my eyes. It doesn’t matter what I feel. Sofia isn’t the forgive and forget type. She won’t let go of the last fight, so it doesn’t matter that I got the best week of my life because losing her is going to hurt so much more.

Every touch. Every kiss. Every soft look and smile. It’s etched in my brain, and I can’t shake it free. Just like I can’t forget how she looked at me when I left her at the safehouse. The hurt, the fury... knowing Sofia, she won’t let go of those emotions anytime soon.

“I got this, Carissa. You want to start the movie?” Daisy interrupts, coming into the room.

“Yeah, sure thing,” Carissa replies.

Daisy turns my head as she drags a chair to sit next to me. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

“Your face reminds me of when Dad gave away your puppy when we were kids. What’s this about?”

“Sofia.”

Daisy sighs. “You did your job, Jasper. No one else can ask more from you. You kept her safe. You are a hero; do you hear me?”

“Then why do I feel like a fucking idiot?”

“Little ears in this house. Watch your mouth.” She points at me but then softens. “Talk to me.”

I swallow and rub my face. “I don’t know what to say. You know how easily my emotions run away from me. You know how easily I get … caught up.”

“Oh, I know. You like to save people. You like to be the one people go to.” She smiles. “You’ve been that person for me.”

“Yeah, but I fu-screwed up.”

“Good thing this will be your last assignment, right?”

I nod and shake my head. “That’s the plan. Then I’ll find a regular job.”

“Like what? Talk to me about that.”

But I can’t. Because I don’t know what I want to do. Maybe get involved in the Veterans Administration? Maybe focus on what I can do for those who come back? Be an advocate for them? But that would mean using my in … maybe working alongside Sofia. Watching her drift further away from me.

“I don’t know,” I whisper.

“That’s not the Jasper I know.”

“I’ll start babysitting or something.” I throw my hands up. “I hear it’s easy to become a substitute teacher.”

Daisy keeps watching me, and I sigh. “I betrayed her, Daisy.”

“What happened between you two after you left here? After it was obvious you were both crazy about each other?”

“We talked. Just talked the first night. She told me about her dad. I told her about ours.”

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