Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I shift to the side, wishing my order was up. How long does it take to fry a freaking egg?
“Are you stalking me now?” He has the audacity to ask. I look over at him, rolling my eyes.
“I work here,” I deadpan. “If anyone’s stalking, it’s you.”
“Nah. My sister called in a favor. Spending time with your cheery self is just an added bonus.”
I send Jesse a bratty smile, and finally Pete slides the plate of eggs toward me. I don’t waste any time snatching it up. “Thanks, Pete!” Pete grunts in response.
I avoid Jesse as much as I can for the rest of my shift, even though my eyes are begging to disobey me, seeking him out of their own volition. I can’t seem to escape him. Is this how it’s going to be now that he’s back? I still don’t know why he’s back. Lo hasn’t mentioned it, and there’s no way in hell I’m asking questions. She doesn’t even know I know him.
At the end of the day, I shoot a quick text to Dylan, letting him know my shift is over. He’s supposed to meet me here once I’m off. I stuff my phone into my pocket and head into the back room to grab my bag, but I halt in the hallway, hearing Jesse’s voice.
“Does it matter?” he asks, irritation evident in his tone.
“Does it matter where you’ve been disappearing to? Not really, no, but the fact that you won’t tell me says you’re in some kind of trouble.” That’s Lo, and she sounds exasperated.
“Not in any trouble,” he clips out. “I don’t need rescuing anymore, Lo. I can take care of myself.”
“Yeah, you’re doing a real bang-up job, Jess. First, you mysteriously have enough money for a truck, then you’re dropping out of school? I’m missing something here. Fill in the blanks.”
Jesse doesn’t respond, and then all of a sudden, he’s prowling out of the back room, heading straight toward me. I push off the wall, trying to act casual. Not expecting anyone to be lurking around the corner, he comes close to knocking me over but stops short, centimeters from me. His hands catch my upper arms, steadying both of us. I expect some sarcastic remark, something about trying to cop a feel, maybe, but it doesn’t come. I make the mistake of looking up. His tortured eyes meet mine for long seconds, his jaw clenched.
Something in his eyes gives me pause. A flash of the human behind the persona. This is Jesse. The fun-loving, hotshot lacrosse player? That’s Shep. But then something shifts. Those eyes go vacant and a slow grin spreads over his face.
“If you wanted to touch me again, all you had to do was ask.”
Annnnd, there it is.
“Not happening.” I roll my eyes, shoving past him. Lo is sitting at the small table, sorting through a stack of papers.
“You okay?” I ask. I don’t want to pry, but I don’t want to be a jerk and not ask either.
She huffs out a laugh. “Just another day in the life.”
“What’s all that?” I ask, gesturing to her papers, grabbing my backpack off the hook.
“I had the crazy idea of going back to school. It’s not like I’m not busy enough as it is.”
“It’s not crazy at all. What do you want to go for?”
“I need to get my GED, for starters. Then I was thinking about maybe getting a business degree.”
“Really? I’m taking some business courses at Kerrigan.”
“No shit?” she asks, surprised.
“Yeah, it’s more geared toward music management, though.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” she says knowingly. I tend to monopolize the music selection here. In my defense, no one else seems to care all that much.
“Well, don’t go finding some hotshot job anytime soon. I need you here.”
I scoff. I don’t think she’ll have to worry about that. This town isn’t exactly booming with job opportunities. Plus, I like Lo and I like working here, despite recent developments. “Deal.”
I leave Lo to it, making my way out to the dining area. Like magnets, my eyes are drawn to Jesse. He pushes a hand through his hair before digging his phone out of his pocket, scowling at the screen like it personally offended him. After overhearing the conversation between him and Lo, I’m even more confused than ever. Curious. And you know what they say about curiosity…
Jesse pockets his phone and lifts his eyes to catch me staring. I fight the urge to look away. My gaze bores into him, but he’s looking at me just as intently. My teeth clamp down on my lip, ignoring the stirrings of…something I feel in my stomach.
“Albert,” I hear Dylan say from my left, breaking the spell. I whip my head in his direction.
“I didn’t see you come in,” I say, standing to hug him.
“Can’t imagine why,” he deadpans, pulling me into his warmth. My eyebrows draw together in confusion as I pull back.