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“Why aren’t you in Vermont with all the other Birkenstock-wearing, Bernie Sanders–worshiping hippies?” Jess asked him.
“You mean my family? So kind of you to think of them,” he said, a big grin still plastered on his face as he crossed his arms. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the drive up to Burlington this year. I committed to making one of the floats for the Festival of Lights, and I’m a bit in over my head.”
“Sounds about right,” Jess jabbed.
Kevin chuckled, looking over at Rory. “She has so much faith in me.”
She was loving the way Kevin razzed her friend, and how much feistiness she gave back.
“You say yes and overcommit way too often,” Jess said bluntly. “And you’re losing money because of it.”
“But it’s for charity!”
She crossed her arms. “And how much of your own money have you sunk into this project?”
Kevin frowned. “You sound just like Calvin.”
“He is in business school now; you should listen to him.”
Kevin kept on smiling, putting his hands on his hips. “Please tell me how this conversation went from your sad Thanksgiving dinner to my terrible business decisions.”
Rory pointed to Jess. “Blame her.”
Kevin looked amused, but if she wasn’t mistaken, she caught a gleam of sadness in his expression before he asked Jess his next question. “Why aren’t you with him?”
Jess shrugged, eyes back on her cake as she pierced it with her fork. “He’s with them tonight.”
“And he really didn’t take you?”
Jess glared at him, her expression looking like a silent plea for him to shut his mouth. The two of them held eye contact for an unnerving moment until Kevin eventually caved.
“Well, ladies, enjoy your dinner,” he said, heading deeper into the market.
Rory watched as Jess silently ate her cake, avoiding her eyes.
“Jess,” she said eventually. “What were you guys talking about?”
“None of your damn business,” she growled.
“You told me I could come to you with all of my crap. I could be that for you…if you need it.”
Jess glared up at her. “I don’t need it.”
“Was he talking about your boyfriend? Who is he with?”
“Buzz off, Rory. I’m not here to talk about my shit life. Just yours.”
She whistled. “Wow, you are mad.”
Jess started collecting the containers and forks before them.
“Jess,” Rory pleaded, watching as she stood and threw away the trash. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”
Jess turned around, pointing a shaking finger in her direction. “Listen, kid. I told you I would be here for you, and for some freaking odd reason, I’m okay with it. But my life is off-limits. You got it?”
She just nodded, remaining in her seat as Jess escaped behind the bakery counter.
Chapter Fifteen
