The Bodyguard (Hosie)

Chapter 22

Seeing her ex-client's daughter walking towards her brought a warm, fuzzy feeling into Hope's heart. It was such a relief, getting everything out into the open three days ago. Although she wasn't exactly shy when it came to getting herself a girlfriend, it had been some time since she had one and being out of practice led to some uncertainty.

While there had been signs and a certain amount of body language that pointed in the direction she thought Josie swung, she couldn't be completely sure. And there was also the huge obstacle wedged between them since she was working as Josie's bodyguard. She was highly aware of how misleading it could be when she was in such position and it went against everything she stood for as a bodyguard. Quite like a teacher dating a student in some ways–the more commonly debated example when it came to controversial romance.

But even though she tried her best to enforce the wall of professional distance between Josie and herself, it had become increasingly harder to stop herself from admiring the person she was supposed to protect. And her reasons for protecting Josie had become a little more complicated as well. Altogether, it was a recipe for a workplace disaster.

It was inevitable. And her contract with Mr. Saltzman was slated to run out soon anyway, which was quite convenient in that sense. But it didn't make meeting Josie in the café any easier. It didn't make confessing any less nerve wrecking either. This question had to be asked and if her gut feeling had been wrong, it would have been terribly awkward.

Fortunately for her, Josie's answer–or answering question–had told her everything she wanted to know and wished to hear. She was happy, simply put. Happy to have Josie's hand in hers. Happy when Josie let her kiss her hand. Happy when Josie agreed to see the therapist.

"Hi," she said when Josie drew closer. Wearing a smile, she held her hand out for Josie and her heart was glad when Josie took it easily, as though it were the most natural thing to do. "Dr. Emma Tig is waiting."

"Emma Tig?" Josie resisted with a tug of her hand. "She's a girl?"

"Yes, don't worry, she's very good."

"I'm trusting you on this."

Hope smiled at Josie's frown. "Yes, you can trust me. If you don't think she's good after today's session, you can ask me for compensation."

Josie's eyes sparkled with glee. "What kind of compensation?"

"Whatever you can think of."

"Really?"

Hope nodded. "I'm that confident in my recommendation."

"Hmp. We shall see."

-----

Hope had to wait outside the doctor's office while Josie was having her first session with Emma. After some time, a conversation started with the girl handling the reception. They chatted about random things like music and good places to eat in the vicinity of the therapist's office. At one point, the girl had some problems with her computer's internet connection so Hope tried to help. She was bent over the keyboard beside the girl and in the middle of troubleshooting when the door opened. Looking up, Hope met Josie's eyes and she straightened up. A spark of something flared in the woman's eyes but Hope wasn't sure what it was.

"How was the session?" she asked Josie as she rounded the table.

Emma stepped out and joined them. "It was a good opening session with Josie. I'll see her back here next week."

"That's just your side of it, Emma," Hope countered with a smile. Turning back to Josie, she asked again, "Was it good for you?"

"Good. It was good but looks like it's even better for you."