“I don’t want to leave you alone while you’re sick.”
“I’ll be okay.”
But wouldhe?
She started to push up from the floor, and he gripped her upper arms to help her. The second they were both on their feet, they stood far too close. Her warm breath brushed against his bare chest, and every inhale almost had them touching.
Like his hand had a mind of its own, it cupped her cheek. “Call out if you need anything.”
Was it him, or did she lean her face into his palm?
“I will.”
He swallowed, and it took far too much willpower to drop his hand. To turn and step away from her.
He’d just reached the door when she called to him.
“Jesse.”
One deep inhale and he turned. “Yeah.”
“Thank you. Not just for tonight. Thank you for being my friend when I really needed one.”
“I will be whatever you need me to be, for as long as you need.” Even if it killed him.
CHAPTER 8
Jesse pulled up in the parking lot of the Chinese restaurant.
It had been a long-ass day. Hell, it had been a longweek. Too many people doing the wrong thing and a hell of a lot of paperwork. But work issues felt trivial compared to Aspen.
His feelings for her were growing every day. She wasn’t in a place to be anything more than friends. He knew that. But when they were together, it didn’t matter. When he spoke to her,touched her, all he could think about was how right they felt together. How rightshefelt.
Did she feel it too? Sometimes, he swore he saw it in her eyes. Felt it in her touch.
With a long sigh, he climbed out of the car and slammed the door behind him. The entire situation was driving him crazy. But at the same time, if he had the chance, he wouldn’t go back and take away the offer for her to have his spare room. Because having her close without being with her was a lot better than not having her at all.
He crossed the parking lot and pushed into the restaurant, but one glance told him Luke wasn’t here yet.
“Hi. Do you have a reservation?”
He looked at the waitress. “Possibly. Is there something for two people under Luke?”
The woman looked at her computer and nodded. “Yes. Follow me.”
He trailed behind the woman to a two-person corner table.
He’d just sat when a text came through.
Luke: Running a bit late. But I forgot to tell you that I invited my friend April.
The fuck?
“Hi!”
He looked up to see a young woman with long brunette hair and a tight red dress standing beside the table.
“I’m April, Luke’s friend. May I?” Before he could respond, she lowered into the seat opposite him. “Jesse, right? Luke’s told me a lot about you.”
