The Bodyguard (Hosie)

Chapter 11

You drive really well," said Jade, as the car came to a stop in front of her apartment. "Thanks for sending me home."

Hope smiled. "You're welcome."

Jade smiled as she leaned in and planted a kiss on Hope's right cheek.

"What was that for?" Hope asked in surprise.

"For a great dinner. For being so charming."

"I didn't do anything special."

Jade flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder and leaned forward. "You are something special."

"Jade, I hope I didn't do anything to cause misunderstanding."

"Oh, you didn't. There's no misunderstanding. But it's very easy to like you."

"I hope we can just be friends."

Jade leaned back, elbow resting on the cup holder ledge of the car door. "You're very quick to close the door. Why be like this when you're not seeing anyone?"

"I'm focusing on my job. And it takes up a lot of my time. It wouldn't be fair to anyone."

Jade chuckled. "How many girls have you dished out these lines to?"

"Just a couple, including you."

"Look, I'm fine just being friends. If that's all you want, I'm good for it too."

Hope nodded. "It's what I want."

"Okay, friend." Jade's smile was cheeky as she opened the car door. "See ya."

Hope smiled and waved and watched as her new friend entered the apartment building before driving away. Jade would be a cool friend, she thought. But what about Josie? Careful to give Josie space to recover from her trauma independently, she had kept out of the woman's way for the past two weeks. But meeting her tonight had messed it up a little, especially when Jade spotted Josie and made her go over. From the looks of things, however, Josie had gotten over the trauma of the incident and was actively socializing with friends, so it was probably all good now.

On the information front, Freya had not come up with anything so far. There had been no orders for hit jobs or abduction on females of Josie's age lately so hope knew Josie was relatively safe. As she drove around town, heading back to her home for the past couple of weeks, she took in the bustle of the city at night. Her job was a highly stressful one and night drives were like alcohol swabs on the skin–cooling and relaxing.

It was just after midnight when she finally turned into the gates of Josie's massive home. She headed to the kitchen to get a glass of water and there, pouring out water from a bottle, was Josie. The woman looked up when she entered and for a moment, they stared at each other.

"Hey," Hope said at last.

"You're back late."

The chiding tone made Hope smile. "I went for a drive."

"Alone?" Josie sounded surprised.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Hope took the bottle from Josie and poured herself a glass of water. "To wind down. Relax a little. So it's better to be alone."

"Isn't it easier to relax with friends?"

Putting the glass down, Hope put the cap back on the bottle. "I prefer quiet. Just a drive and some music."

"Don't you feel lonely?"

Hope considered Josie for a moment. The woman was looking at her with wide eyes of sincerity. "Well, sometimes."

"So this Jade, you aren't dating her or anything?"