Jesse nods. “I got the RSVPs since I knew they wouldn’t want to agree to a sleepover with a relative stranger. I’d planned to spend the night in the same hotel. The only reservation theydidhave on file,” he grumbles. I ignore the irritation and instead nod.
“Okay. I’ve got it. Sometime tonight or tomorrow, call them all and tell them the party will be at your parents’ house,” I start.
“Hallie—”
“Wren and I have done this a dozen times. Trust me when I say, we’ve got this. We will make this the best sleepover any ofthem has ever had. Just get me the date and time, and we’ve got the rest.”
He stares at me for a moment.
“You’d do that for me?”
I shrug and let a small smile tilt my lips, a moment of sunshine in this shitty hurricane.
“I’d do it for Emma.” He glares at me, and I laugh, shifting and moving to my tiptoes to press my lips to his. “And I’d do it for you, but mostly because I need you in a better mood. I’m gonna get you to crack tonight, I think.”
We both know that’s not true, that he won’t crack until I’m ready, but I like this game between us a bit too much.
“Oh yeah?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Well, I feel my mood perking up already.” My head tips back with a laugh that has a few birds scattering. “All right, let’s get you inside before you freeze. I’ll clean up my mess later.”
Even though he drops my hand as soon as we walk into the living room, I feel more like a team with Jesse than ever before as I pull Wren aside and we start to plan.
And even though I fail at my task of making him crack, I have fun trying.
TWENTY-SIX
The day of Emma’s party, Jesse’s parents take her to breakfast while I bring everything to the Kings’ house and into the furnished basement to set up with the help of Jesse. Wren will be here in about an hour to help once she’s done making the birthday cake.
“Hallie,” Jesse says, his voice a low warning that, despite being in his parents’ house, settles in my stomach with warmth. He sets the helium tank I bought for balloons next to the three giant boxes and a dozen or so bags filled with decorations and party things that he helped me carry in.
“Yes?” I say, as I dig through bags and start unloading them to set up.
“Did you leave anything at the store?” I look over my shoulder and grin.
“A bit, but not much.” His eyes narrow. “You only turn twelve once, Jesse. Go big or go home.” He fights a smirk, wanting to pretend he’s annoyed by me, shaking his head and taking off his hat, flipping it around, and taking in the room.
“I’ll pay you back,” he says, and I don’t even bother to look at him, continuing to take out the seven boxes of air mattresses and adorable bedding I got to go with our decorating theme.
“Sure, you will,” I say.
“I mean it, Hallie.”
“I’m sure you do.”
I move on, sorting through the bag where the goody bags are: a tote bag with each girl’s name on it, filled with various fun things I know will totally blow them away.
“The way you’re saying that makes me feel like you aren’t going to take the money when I give it to you.”
I stand and pat his cheek. “Now you’re catching on.” I attempt to step back, but his warm, rough hand wraps around my wrist and stops me.
“This shit wasn’t cheap, Hal.” I lift a shoulder but don’t reply, and his eyes narrow on me. “Let me pay you back.” When I don’t respond, irritation flashes on his face. “Hallie,” he says, his other arm wrapping my waist to hold me in place.
“I have too much money,” I say in defense. He gives me a disbelieving look, and I shrug. “Talk to your mom about it. Colt already got a new tenant, so he won’t take my rent, and neither will your mom. I have to spend it somewhere.”
“Bank accounts exist, Hallie. Saving accounts exist.”
