The second she lifted her bag, Becket slid it out of her fingers. “I’ve got it.”
“Driving me homeandcarrying my bag. You’re quite a gentleman.”
He chuckled as they stepped outside. “My mother raised me right. Some lucky lady should snap me up.”
They stopped at a truck, and he held the passenger-side door open for her. She climbed in and he got behind the wheel.
“You’re not dating anyone?” she asked as he reversed out of the parking space.
“No. My schedule at the fire station’s always changing, so it’s hard to date.” His phone beeped, but he didn’t touch it.
“Can I ask you something?” she asked quietly.
He looked down at her. “Shoot.”
“Jesse’s a good guy, isn’t he? I mean, heseemslike one, and I think he is, but—”
“Aspen.” Becket stopped at a light, the small hint of a smile slipping from his face. “Jesse’s my brother, so I would never in a million years say this to his face…but he’s the best man I know. Ten times the manIam. If there’s one person in this world you’re safe with, it’s him.”
Her heart gave a little jump. “I shouldn’t have to ask, should I? It’s just…”
“You’ve been hurt.”
She frowned at him. How did he know? Was it written all over her face?
“Trust me when I tell you, I’ve met some of the scum of the earth.” Becket’s gaze moved back to the street in front of him, as if he was searching for that scum. Either that, or remembering it. He glanced back at her. “Jesse’s one of the good guys. But it’s okay to take your time to trust in that. Make him work for it.”
The corners of her mouth lifted. “Thank you.”
The light turned green and he started driving again. They spent the short drive talking. Aspen asked Becket about his job, and in return, he asked about hers. He was easy to talk to. But she didn’t miss the way his gaze continually scanned the streets. His military background was definitely evident.
They reached the house just as Jesse pulled up in the drive.
“You were texting him, weren’t you?” she asked, not surprised.
The corner of Becket’s mouth twitched. “He’s my brother.”
CHAPTER 17
She’d walked to the grocery store, in the evening, by herself, the day after she’d seen a face in her bedroom window.
Jesus.
“Better calm down, Jess,” Luke said quietly. “We’re only a street away.”
He couldn’t calm down. Someone had beenwatchingher last night, and she’d gone out by herself after he’d asked her not to. How easy would it have been for the perp to grab her?
Too easy.
He pulled onto his street, immediately spotting Aspen and his brother parked at the curb. The second he pulled into his drive, he was up and out, marching toward her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, before he’d even stopped walking.
She frowned as she stepped onto the front yard. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I told you to stay home.”
Her back straightened, and he swore his brother cringed.
