“And then she only ate the fries.” He laughed to himself.
“It wasn’t a bad night, though. She was so tired and full, she passed out on the way home and…” I set down my burger, heat bleeding into my cheeks and down the back of my neck.
“I kissed you to christen my new car, thinking Tessa was still sleeping,” he finished for me, popping his brows.
“Then she asked your mom the next time I came over why people kissed with their mouths open, because when you and I did it that way in the car, it looked gross. I wanted to both laugh and die at the same time.”
“For a tall kid, she was sneaky enough. And Maddie is just like that. She’s like a ninja.”
“Your parents laughed at it.” I pointed a fry at him. “It wouldn’t have been such a cute story to my mother.”
The laugh we shared eased my stomach enough to attempt to eat. I caught Jesse staring at me as I took the first bite.
“What? I thought you wanted me to eat.”
“You know, not many girlfriends would have tolerated that. My sisterneverleft you alone. Sometimes I’d have to drag you out of her bedroom and remind her you were there to see me.”
“I was there to see you, but—” I swallowed, the meat going down slowly around that stupid lump that had reappeared in my throat. “She was very easy to love and never a bother. Any girlfriend who wasn’t a jerk would have enjoyed her, not simply tolerated her.”
“Be that as it may,” he said, his sexy smile killing me. “I’d remind Tessa all the time how lucky we both were to have you.”
Talking about the old times we’d shared with his sister felt good because she wasn’t connected to any old resentments. I wished I could see Tessa one more time and meet the awesome woman I was sure she’d grown into.
I’d have to settle for coaching her daughter and looking out for her brother, no matter if the thoughts I’d leave with tonight weren’t simply friendly and helpful. I doubted they ever would be, but thoughts and feelings were one thing, and actions were another. I had to at least keep control of those if any of this was going to work.
“Where are you parked?” Jesse asked me after we paid the check.
“In the back of the lot,” I said as we made our way out the main entrance. “This was nice. I’m glad I broke league policy and abused the use of your cell phone number.”
“I’ll walk you. And I’m glad you did too,” Jesse said, examining me as we headed toward my car.
I didn’t know how to part ways this time. Did I offer to be friends again? Promise to watch over his niece? Or did I ignore it all—starting with the intensity in Jesse’s gaze under the streetlights?
Before I knew it, Jesse wrapped his arms around me and pulled me flush to his body.
I stiffened from the surprise for a minute before I hugged him back and dropped my head against his shoulder.
After all the emotion of the day, I shouldn’t have noticed how good he smelled. I registered a new cologne mixed with the salty and sweet scent that was always Jesse. My nose burned when he exhaled against me, his chest deflating as if he’d been holding it in for a long time.
“Thank you,” he whispered as he inched away, dropping his hands before draping one over his eyes. “I’m sorry. That was beyond inappropriate?—”
“But necessary,” I said, grabbing his biceps. “I wasn’t offended, if that’s what you’re concerned about. I felt the same relief.”
The embrace had been unexpected but soothed something in me too. I wasn’t sure if it was Jesse possibly accepting my help or the old comfort and thrill from being close to him.
“I understand wanting space to figure things out, but don’t isolate yourself so much. Promise me that.”
I grabbed his hand, letting my palm graze his as I squeezed. Familiar tingles ran up my arm as he smiled and squeezed back.
“I can do that. And if you don’t mind a guy whining into his beer glass sometimes, it would be nice to do this again.”
I nodded, letting out a long and hopefully quiet exhale to calm the old butterflies still spry enough to flutter in my stomach.
“I would really like that. And thanks for the vote of confidence as a coach. It’s been a minute since I stripped off my cleats for the last time.”
“Nah,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m sure you’ve more than still got it, Legs.” He pulled me in for a half hug and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Thanks again for tonight. It helped more than you know.”
Legs.I’d forgotten about that nickname and how Jesse would whisper it in my ear before he’d run his mouth up and down my body, focusing on the insides of my thighs.
