"Then come stay with us," I say, gentling my voice with effort. "Just until I finish the repairs. No pressure. No expectations. Just a safe place to sleep and maybe some of my mom's cooking because she'll definitely show up with casseroles once she hears you're there."
She's wavering. I can see it in the set of her shoulders, and her scent is shifting from sharp fear to something softer.
Her phone buzzes on the nightstand. She picks it up and frowns at the screen.
"My mom," she says, surprise in her voice.
"At this hour?"
"They're in Mexico. Different time zone." She swipes to answer, putting it on speaker. "Mom? Is everything okay?"
"Jessica, darling!" Her mom's voice is bright, cheerful, slightly tipsy. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I? You're not in the middle of... you know." She giggles.
Jessica's face goes red. "Mom. No. There was a plumbing emergency. Carlos came to help."
"Oh! Carlos!" More giggling. "The handsome carpenter one? With the forearms?"
I try not to grin. Fail completely.
"Yes, that Carlos," Jessica says, shooting me a look that's half embarrassed, half amused. "He's standing right here."
I wave, even though her mom can't see me.
"Well tell him I said thank you for taking care of my girl." Her mom's voice softens. "How bad is it?"
"Bad. The whole system needs replacing. Could take a month."
"Oh no. Where will you stay?"
"Carlos offered me a room at the packhouse," Jessica says carefully. "Just until the repairs are done."
There's a pause on the other end. Long enough that I can hear music in the background, laughter, the sound of a party happening.
"That's a wonderful idea," her mom says finally, and there's something knowing in her voice. "You need to stop running from things, sweetheart. And Marie Negrorio makes excellent pie. Tell her I expect a slice when I get back."
I can't help it. I laugh.
"What else did she say?" I ask after Jessica hangs up, watching the play of emotions across her face.
"She said I need to stop running from things." Jessica meets my eyes. "And that sometimes the scariest choice is the right one."
My heart kicks against my ribs like it's trying to escape.
"Is staying with us the scariest choice?"
"It's terrifying," she admits, and the honesty in her voice makes my chest ache. "But so is Callum showing up in the middle of the night."
"So?"
She takes a deep breath. Lets it out slowly. Squares her shoulders like she's preparing for battle.
"I'll need to pack some things. Whatever isn't soaked."
The relief that floods through me is almost embarrassing in its intensity. I have to physically stop myself from grinning like an idiot.
"I'll help you carry them," I say, already moving toward her closet.
While packing her things, I spot a book on her nightstand. Pride and Prejudice. The spine is cracked, pages worn.
