The Closer You Come

“No. I’m not hitting on you,” he said, speaking over her. “I’m trying to apologize for the way I treated you. In the beginning.” Brook Lynn loved this girl, and now, knowing Jessie Kay and her vulnerabilities a little better, he understood why. She had a quick wit and an easy smile, and she would burn the world to the ground if it meant saving the ones she loved. As he would.

“Can’t say you didn’t end up with the better choice,” she muttered. “You may or may not have noticed I have a few issues.”

“You and me both. But Brook Lynn is merely the better choice for me. Some guy is going to be lucky to have you.”

She flipped her hair over her shoulder, saying, “Duh.” Then she flashed him a wry smile. “What happened between you guys, anyway? Brook Lynn wouldn’t say.”

She’d kept his secret, even from her sister. That had to mean something. “I told her how I...spent almost a decade in prison,” he said.

“What!” Jessie Kay spun around and gaped at him. “You’re freaking kidding me.”

No more hiding, he decided. It caused too many problems later on. For others and for himself.

Jase clenched the edge of the table. He had to pry his fingers loose before he snapped the thing in two as he told her the entire story. She listened intently, never interrupting. Her expressive face registered more shock, disbelief, horror and finally understanding.

“Dude.” She arched a golden brow at him, an expression he’d often seen on Brook Lynn. “I always thought I’d be the Dillon sister to end up with an ex-con.”

“You still could,” he replied drily. “Your soul mate is still out there.”

“This is true. Well, fingers crossed.”

“So?” he asked. “Is this the part where you warn me away from your sister?”

She peered at him for a long while, studying him, thinking. Then she sighed. “No. But if you ever hurt her...”

“I won’t.” He’d run like hell out of her life first.

“Good. Because I don’t want to have to spend time behind bars for the murder I’ll commit.”

Please. There’d never been a woman with more bark and less bite. “You’re a good person, Jessie Kay. My...friend.” She was, wasn’t she? She could have tried to stop Brook Lynn from dating him, but she hadn’t. She’d encouraged the girl. “Don’t ever settle for less than the best. It’s what you deserve.”

“Truer words have never been spoken,” she said, and he wished she’d sounded as if she believed him. “But right now I don’t have time to listen to you wax poetic about my awesomeness. Brook Lynn woke me up while you were sleeping and told me about her new business idea—making and delivering sandwiches. We’re partners, and we’re calling it You’ve Got It Coming. She baked the bread, cooked and spiced the meats, and even mixed the condiments before crawling back into bed with you. I’m putting everything together to hand out as samples to the people in town.”

And he’d slept through it all, which shocked him. Considering how much time he’d spent wondering when he would next be attacked had made him a light sleeper. Guess he was more comfortable here than he’d realized.

“You guys are destined for success.” Though he hated to lose Brook Lynn as his non-wife wife.

“I will not fail her,” Jessie Kay added staunchly.

He needed to get home and check on West, but he found himself saying, “Anything I can do to help?”

She tossed him an evil grin. “You are so gonna regret asking that.”

Together they made thirteen sandwiches, everything from a ham, egg and cheese bagel to a huevos rancheros wrap for the breakfast lovers, and roast pork with pickled cucumber to smoked salmon salad sandwiches for the lunch crowd. He felt it was his duty to test most of the ingredients for poison, the same way Brook Lynn once tested baked goods. He was diligent like that.

“You’re eating our profits, you douche,” Jessie Kay finally cried, throwing a handful of cheese shreds at him. “And I will get them back, whatever it takes!”

He laughed and threw a pickle at her. She was reaching for a slice of bacon when Brook Lynn walked in, wearing a tank, a pair of short pink shorts and fuzzy house boots. He hardened instantly.

She pasted a too-bright, clearly fake smile on her face. “Morning.”

“Uh-oh. Warden’s here,” Jessie Kay said, the food fight over before it had really begun.

“So the fun has to stop, right?” Even Brook Lynn’s fake smile vanished.

“I didn’t mean... Oh, never mind. You’re clearly in a mood. One too many orgasms?” Jessie Kay started bagging sandwiches. “I’ve got some deliveries to make before my boss, the Dragon Lady, decides to fire me.” She snickered. “See what I did there?”

Brook Lynn rolled her eyes.

“I’m off.” Jessie Kay kissed Brook Lynn’s cheek before she left.

“You okay?” he asked her. Jase studied her, this woman who’d stolen his heart.

He froze. The words echoed in his mind. Stolen his heart. She had, hadn’t she? He’d known he could fall, but hadn’t realized he’d long since fallen. He loved her. Loved her with every cell in his body. Loved her with every bit of light in his soul. She’d somehow snuck past his defenses to become one of the most important parts of his life. More important than his lungs.