“They love Coach Emily.” Sabrina wrapped her arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “And thanks for the offer of dinner, but we’re going to head out.”
“Yeah, they’re great kids, but after an afternoon of yelling on the field, I want to soothe my scratchy throat with a nice IPA.”
“For real,” Sabrina sighed. “I want a greasy meal and a drink before I collapse tonight.” She grabbed her coat from the rack next to the front door and leaned in. “But in case anyone calls me in the morning, I’ll be up bright and early.”
I elbowed her side and pursed my lips.
“I’m sure you will.”
After Jesse shut the door behind Caden and Sabrina, nerves fluttered through my stomach. He turned to me, popping his brow as he glanced up the stairs.
“I’ll take your bag up to my bedroom. You and the boss can talk about what to order for dinner.” He flashed Maddie a smile and headed up the staircase. As my gaze fell on his hand as he held on to the banister, my cheeks and neck flushed hot remembering both his hands and mouth all over me the last time I was here.
“Did you know the diner delivers?” Maddie said, shaming me out of my graphic fantasy about her uncle.
“I did. I could go for a burger and some chocolate cake.”
“Wow, I was about to say the same thing.” She patted the cushion next to her. “Uncle Jesse can order on his phone. Did you ever hear of the Ramona books?”
“I love the Ramona books. They were the first series of books I read. Which one are you reading?”
“The first one.Beezus and Ramona. It’s really good. I know it’s not a long book, but maybe we could read it after dinner?”
My heart leaped at the hopeful look in her eyes.
“If Emily isn’t too tired, I’d say that is a great idea,” Jesse said. “And if she is, she’ll be back so you can read another time.”
He smiled when he met my gaze, warmth flooding my chest and muting that annoying voice of reason I needed tonight.
“Okay.” Maddie nodded. “We decided on the diner.”
“Whatever you ladies want is fine with me. Not that I was asked.”
Jesse caught my gaze and winked.
“Oh, my grams found some of my mom’s books this week.” She popped off the couch and rushed over to a box in the corner.
“She highlighted a lot. We aren’t allowed to do that in school, or we get into trouble.”
“I notate. I mean, I have little stickers I put in my favorite parts of a book to read again. I never like marking up the actual pages unless it’s on my computer screen.”
She put a familiar book in my lap.
“This one has a lot of highlights, from the first page too.”
It was a contemporary romance, one of the first I’d edited for Mary and the most common one I’d see on bookstore shelves. I picked up the book, a little nervous as to what highlighted parts Maddie might have noticed, as it was one of Mary’s spicier stories.
“See? Look.” She leaned over me and flipped open the cover. “This page is just names, though.”
A gasp escaped me before I could help it.
“What is it?” Jesse asked, his forehead crinkled as he stepped over to us.
“It’s…my name. This book is one of mine.” I picked it up and turned it around to show Jesse. “Tessa highlighted my name. She knew.”
“This book is one of yours?” Maddie’s brows drew together.
“Yes. Well, kind of. Remember when I said that I edited books? I worked on this one.” I tapped the page. “Your mom must’ve recognized my name.”
