The Bodyguard (Hosie)

Chapter 24

The sensation of Hope's lips on hers lingered for the next few hours, all the way till darkness fell. It lasted through dinner, her bath, up to the point where Josie got into bed and snuggled under the sheets. There she lay, comfortable and blissful after a good day out with her girlfriend. But she didn't go to sleep. She was waiting. Waiting for someone to call. And that someone was about to call in three, two, one...

"Hello, boo," Josie answered the call even before the first thing ended.

"Hey, baby."

Josie giggled. "Are you going to work now?"

"I'm getting ready."

"I wish you didn't have to go to work at this time."

"Just for this period of time, baby. Till this job is done."

"Who are you protecting this time?"

"You have to stop asking. I really can't tell you."

Josie pouted.

"And don't pout."

"I'm not pouting."

"Don't lie."

Josie stopped pouting. "I'm not pouting."

"Alright. I have to go now."

"Stay safe."

"I will. Sweet dreams, baby."

Josie blew a kiss into the phone and grinned when Hope returned it after a pause. Maybe with this kiss, she wouldn't have a nightmare tonight.

-----

She still did. But it wasn't as scary and gruesome as the other nightmares had been. No blood, no guns. Just a chase that ended with her being caught. She woke up breathing hard with her heart pumping fast and sat up in bed, looking around in panic.

"I'm okay. I'm safe," Josie said to herself, remembering what Emma said about these nightmares. After taking a few deep breaths, she felt calmer. Hope was right. It did get easier in time. She could get over it. It was alright.

She washed up in her bathroom and made her way down to the dining room. Her father was having his breakfast there and the sight of him still triggered unhappiness in her after almost three weeks.

"Good morning, Josie."

"Morning, Dad." Josie replied without enthusiasm.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"No."

"Did you have a nightmare again?"

Josie exhaled through her nose. "It's not like you cared when it mattered, did you?"

"Honey, I really–"

Josie stood up in a huff, interrupting her father. Turning to a household staff, she instructed the woman to bring her breakfast up. "I'll eat my breakfast in my room." And with that, she left the table and marched straight back to her room before her father could ask her to stay.

When she got back to her room, she realized that she had a missed call from Hope. A smile replaced the frown instantly and she quickly made a call to Hope.

"Good morning, babe." said Hope, sounding rather subdued.

"Good morning, boo." Josie frowned, not liking how her girlfriend sounded. "Did you get injured or something?"

"No. I'm not hurt. I'm just tired."

"Then you should rest."

"I'm going to. I just wanted to call before that."