“We were just around the corner at the coffee shop and thought you might want something,” Fia says brightly, handing him the steaming cup. “I almost got you a vanilla latte, but Penny nearly bit my head off. She said you only drink it black.”
His gaze drops to mine.
“Or with hazelnut,” Fia adds.
“You didn’t have to do this.” His brows twitch, and my cheeks get hot, so I look away.
“It was Fia’s idea.”
Jesse nods, still looking at me, and it’s like all the air has been squeezed from my lungs.
Fia kneels down toward the dog. “May I?”
“Knock yourself out, kid.” Lulu wags her tail, accepting Fia’s affection like she’s known her forever.
“Aren’t you a little lovebug?” she coos.
I watch, unable to move, unsure what to say, stuck in an unbearable standoff with Jesse.
The park isn’t busy. There are no toddlers screaming on the play gym or college students jogging by. It’s quite still, actually. Nothing to distract me.
“Oh, Jesse, do you have plans tonight?” My sister asks out of the blue.
His eyes flick between me and Fia for a moment.
“No, I was just going to hit the gym after work.”Of course, he was.“Why what’s up?”
I realize now what she’s about to ask. It wouldn’t be appropriate to wrap a hand around your pregnant sister’s mouth, though, so I’m forced to watch in slow motion as Fia ruins my night.
“Penny’s taking me out for my twenty-first birthday…something laidback, for an hour or two. Obviously, we aren’t partying hard.” She grins. “You should totally come.”
Jesse hesitates, though his green eyes light up. And I feel bad for a moment, because I’m sure he doesn’t have that many friends here in Wilmington anymore.
“If that’s okay with you?” It takes a moment for me to realize he’s talking directly to me.
My voice catches. “Uhm, sure, I mean, if you want?”
“Cool. I’ll be there.” He taps Fia’s head. “Where we going?” he asks, sipping his coffee.
“Rebel Tavern,” Fia answers mindlessly, now rubbing Lulu’s tan belly.
Jesse’s smile falters just slightly. He bites his lip, eyes on me again. “Oh…interesting choice,” he says, and I don’t say anything back.
I don’t have to.
18
Jesse
NOW
The smell of musky cologne fills my small room as I dip my head down to take a look in the mirror above my dresser. All it took to get ready for the night out was swapping my faded gray work shirt for a clean black one, and I even added a small silver chain around my neck.
I can’t say it was the same for Penny and Fia, but I know better than to rush two women doing their hair. Or whatever they’ve been doing in Fia’s room for the past hour.
As I walk into the hall, they both glance up through the open bedroom door. There’s a soft glow from the lamp and purple painted walls, and I pause.
Fia offers a small grin from her wicker vanity seat while Penny stands behind her, fixing her hair. From behind the safety of her sister, Penny runs her eyes shamelessly up my body, and every muscle from my calves to my throat tightens.
