“Jesse’s not home yet?” Callie asked.
She shot a glance at the door. “Not yet. Holden’s still outside checking that we’re safe, but I’m not allowed to open the door for anyone, even if I know them.”
“So, no takeout?”
“No takeout. Holden and I made some pasta bake, and we left some for Jesse in case he doesn’t eat at work.” She hated when Jesse did a night shift, and after Margot’s death, he didn’t want her working at the station anymore.
Her heart gave a little squeeze in her chest like it did anytime she thought about Margot.
Aspen sucked in a long breath. “I’m going to tell him I love him.” Her heart gave a big, giant thump just saying the words to her friend.
Callie gasped. “Wow, Aspen, that’s huge.”
“Itishuge. Do you think it’s too soon?”
“No such thing. We don’t decide when we love someone. Our heart does that for us, and we have absolutely no control over that organ.”
She chuckled before quickly sobering. “What if he doesn’t say it back?”
“Are you serious? I think that man fell in love with you the day he first laid eyes on you.”
She scoffed. “You mean the night in the bar when Dylan dragged me outside—”
“And Jesse went after you and hit him? Yeah, that night.”
She nibbled her bottom lip, that night still so fresh in her mind it was like it had happened yesterday. “I wish I’d pressed charges right then and there. Maybe then he’d know I was stronger and braver, and he wouldn’t have thought he could follow me here.”
“Aspen…everything he’s done has everything to do with him, andnothingto do with you.”
“Jesse’s different.” It had taken her time to trust that, but she was finally there.
“Jesse is Dylan’s polar opposite, and he wouldneverhurt you.”
The click of the front door opening had her gaze shooting up. “Holden’s back.”
But it wasn’t just Holden who stepped inside; Jesse was right behind him.
And man, he always looked so good in a uniform, with his broad shoulders and thick chest.
“I’ll let you go,” Callie said. “Good luck.”
She watched as the two men spoke before Holden waved goodbye to her and stepped out.
“Thanks,” Aspen said quietly to Callie. “I’m gonna need it.”
She hung up as Jesse closed and locked the door. Then his gaze immediately went to her, moving up and down her body as if he needed the visual confirmation that she was okay.
“Hey. Have you been okay?”
“I’ve been great. Holden was a great babysitter.”
“Not babysitter—protector.” He dropped his bag, moved over to the couch and sat beside her. “I missed you.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
Oh, God, his kisses…they softened every muscle in her body and made her want to melt into him.
No. She had things to talk to him about.
She pressed her hands to his chest and pushed.
