“While I drove her to work this morning.”
Stelle wasn’t giving up. “What do you mean, you took her to work?”
“She had bad sleep, so I took her to work so she could rest.”
Guy shook his head. “Mikey, she just broke up with her long-term boyfriend. Go easy.”
“Who says I’m not going easy? I haven’t touched her! I mean, other than snuggling in my bed.”
Guy widened his eyes at me. “And taking her to work. And taking her dinner. I know you like her, Mikey.”
In my head, I addedand kissed her boo-boo onher finger, and did anything and everything to get asecond of her attention.
“No, I don’t. I mean, she’s hot—” I protested. “And you were the one who told me to take her dinner!”
“Mikey.”
“Yeah, okay. I hear you.”
“Just be her friend. She needs a friend right now. Put the other stuff out of your head. Be safe for her. If you try to put the moves on her, she’ll pull away. Give her space.”
“Bullshit,” I said. “You gave Kitty space and you guys were broken up for years.”
“Yeah, well, now we’re getting married,” Guy said. “The long game works. I know a thing or two.”
* * *
I ended up having to order Jessie a ride home because I was at the practice facility still when she texted that she was done. The physical therapist had me do extra conditioning and get a massage.
While I was on the table, I ordered a special delivery on rush to my place. She wasn’t comfortable in my bed, and that air mattress wasn’t doing shit for her. Jessalyn deserved a real bed, and I refused to be a bad host.
I rushed home to intercept the mattress people. But there was a little hitch in my plan. Apparently her new bed had to “off gas” or some shit before she could sleep in it. I guess memory foam stinks. As an apology, I ran to the store to get stuff to make for dinner. The other guys on the team had wives and girlfriends to make their meals. I had my meal prep lady, too, but I was also pretty decent in the kitchen. Plus, chicken breast, rice, and broccoli didn’t sound like an apology dinner.
She flumped through the door, looking exhausted as she slid off her shoes and put her purse and jacket on a hook behind the door.
“Hey,” I greeted her.
“Hey,” she said, surprise in her voice. “Second time this week I’ve caught you chef-ing.”
“I made enough for two,” I said with a grin.
“Mikey, you don’t have to cook for me.”
“But you didn’t eat yet, did you?”
“No.”
“Okay, before we eat, I have a little surprise and a little apology. Go look in your room.”
She squinted at me as she passed through the kitchen to the hallway.
“BEN!”
“Yes?”
She stomped back into the kitchen, looking half like she wanted to cry and half like she wanted to slit my throat. “Why is there a bed in my room?”
“I couldn’t let you keep sleeping on that air mattress, Jess. This is your home.”
