“I’m not leaving you.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Claudia said, stopping in front of them.
“See?” Aspen said softly. “I’m looked after.”
His jaw clenched before he leaned down and kissed her temple. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take all the time you need.”
He blew out a breath before straightening and crossing the parking lot toward Luke.
“Paperwork’s done, and she’s in a holding cell,” Luke said quietly before Jesse had even stopped walking.
“Good. Are you okay?”
Luke shook his head, his gaze moving around the parking lot. “It’s my fault. I should have been more honest with her about my intentions.”
“Luke—”
“I slept with her, and I told her I loved her when I didn’t. I knew she had feelings for me. She’d had feelings for me for years.”
Yeah, that had been stupid, but… “You couldn’t have predicted she’d do this.”
He frowned. “She killed Margot.”
“She did.”
“It will take me a while to process.”
He gripped his friend’s shoulder. “If you need time off, it’s yours.”
Luke nodded almost absently. When he looked back at Jesse, there was resolve in his eyes. “I don’t know if this needs to be said, but Iwashappy when you became sheriff. I never wanted the position, and I knew you’d be great.”
“I know.”
“Good.” Luke’s gaze shifted over Jesse’s shoulder. “Is Aspen okay?”
“She’s strong.” So much stronger than him. “I’m going to get her home.”
“I’m gonna stay, pull a double shift.”
Jesse frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I need to stay busy.”
Jesse watched his friend head back into the station. Just like him, Luke was blaming himself.
Fuck, today had been a lot for everyone.
He ran his fingers through his hair before turning back to Aspen. She was looking straight at him, and for the millionthtime, he felt the relief in his gut that she was alive and safe even after everything that had been thrown her way.
Aspen watchedthe thick cords of muscles in Jesse’s arms bunch as he spoke to Luke. She hated what had happened today. She hated that Margot’s murderer had been someone Jesse had trusted.
“I wish he wouldn’t shoulder the blame,” Aspen said, more to herself than to Claudia.
“You almost died today. He’s going to shoulder the blame no matter who held the gun on you.”
It was true. She still didn’t like it.
