“I remember,” Willow said. “Ransom used to be so mad that you guys couldn’t do much during real fires.”
“We weren’t eighteen,” Jensen said, shrugging. “Looking back, I think we did plenty to support the older guys so they could focus on the big stuff.”
“I know that made a difference,” Willow told him, then patted the clothing in her hand. “Plus, you guys got the cool gear.”
“And now you get to wear it,” he said with a smile. “I’ll leave you to it.”
He headed out and she pulled the door shut again.
She dressed quickly, pulling the warm sweats on gratefully. They were definitely big on her, but so cozy that it made her smile. When she caught her own reflection in the mirror, she almost didn’t recognize herself.
I look so… happy.
Shaking her head at her own nonsense, she put her wet things by the warm radiator to dry, then headed down to find Jensen. She knew she’d better get home before the snow picked up too much. They’d been talking about it on the radio on her way here, but she’d been so focused on Henry that she hadn’t really thought about it until now.
“Hey,” Jensen said as she came into the kitchen. “I was just making grilled cheese and tomato soup. Why don’t you sit and eat before you head back out?”
She was going to refuse, but she could smell the fresh basil he’d used to dress up the soup, and the golden-toasted bread in the pan looked so good that her stomach growled. And besides, she wasn’t going anywhere until her clothes dried, so she might as well have a bite to eat.
“We should talk anyway,” Jensen added, his voice serious.
Well, he was right about that. And based on his expression, it seemed that he’d drawn the same conclusions she had about where they went from here.
Nowhere.
“Okay,” she said. “Thanks.”
“Sit,” he said, indicating the table. “It’s almost ready.”
She did as she was told, looking around the sweet little kitchen. The cabinets were a pretty wood, it looked like birch—an unusual choice but really nice. And it looked new. When had Jensen had the time to renovate his kitchen as a single dad?
“I made some inroads with your brother,” Jensen said, sliding the sandwiches onto the plates as he spoke.
“Really?” she said. “That’s great.”
“It’s just a start,” he told her, shrugging. “But Henry and I bumped into him and the kids at the library the other day, and he invited me to come to Christmas. I hope that’s okay with you?”
She blinked at him stupidly for a second before remembering to nod. Christmas was a big deal. That was a sure sign Ransom wanted things back how they were before.
She felt happy and sad at the same time when Jensen smiled down at her, looking relieved that what had happened between them wasn’t going to stop him from reconnecting with Ransom.
“That’s really great, Jensen,” she told him. “You should definitely come. It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without you there.”
“I feel the same way,” he said, his eyes on her again, searching hers. “And I’m going to talk to him, Willow. About us.”
“Us?” she echoed softly, shocked.
“I know he’ll be unhappy at first,” Jensen said, his deep voice calm and decided. “But he loves you, so your relationship with him will survive it. And I hope mine will too. But at this point, I just don’t care. Tonight put things in perspective for me. I need you in my life, Willow. And if that means I have to fight for you, then so be it.”
“But I’m a bad influence on you,” she heard herself say.
He stared at her for a moment, like he didn’t know what to say.
“What are you talking about?” he asked at last.
“You’re a good man,” she said. “You always have been. But because of me you’ve been sneaking around and all but lying. That’s not who you are, Jensen. I’m not good for you.”
“The last few days without you have made your influence on me crystal clear,” he said, his eyes flashing with passion. “And I can promise you that you’re the opposite of bad for me. Do you know what I’ve done since our date?”
