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“I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, Jess,” she murmured as she passed.
“Thanks.” His tone sounded appreciative but didn’t encourage small talk. All the better. Vi stunk at chit-chat—Rory knew how to talk to people. Pushing that thought away, she flicked her braid over one shoulder and slid into a guest chair.
Jesse’s workspace overflowed with reports, manila folders, and yellow highlighters. He slipped behind his desk and sat. “Good to see you. What can I do for you?” His dark eyes could have pierced a hole in the wall.
Oh, here we go. Jesse had always been polite and gentlemanly with her. Still, his intensity made her want to catch a flight to Shangri-La. “I … um … need to ask … a favor.”
“Name it.” He leaned forward on his elbows, interlocking his fingers.
Vi swallowed. “I need some time off.”
Jesse’s head tilted as if the news didn’t surprise him. “I hoped you would ask for time off.”
Vi’s suspicions rose when he didn’t elaborate. “Have you been talking to Rory?” If a certain attractive redhead had been blabbing her business …
Jesse eyed her evenly. “The other night when you ate dinner with Brenna and me, you were dead on your feet. You’re too valuable to burn out. Peeps needs you. How busy is your schedule this week?”
He’d noticed she’d had a tough day? Her respect for him rose yet another notch. “Heavy. Every slot full. And I need time to bond with Cyrus.”
“The dog’s a good option for you?”
“Yes!” Vi’s euphoria over Cyrus gushed forth. “I plan to keep him. It’s a matter of figuring out the details.” She clamped her mouth shut against the temptation of blabbing every jot and tittle of her plan.
A smile ghosted Jesse’s lips. “And no M1 Abrams tank could stop you, I’m sure. Is it time to add another massage therapist to the mix?”
Vi nodded slowly once she absorbed the suggestion. “We all appreciate the extra hours …”
“I imagine it’s taxing work.” Jesse rubbed a scruffy jaw. “Do your hands hurt?”
The direct question caught her off guard, and her lips scrunched sideways. “It’s not so bad in the morning, but … at night …” Not a soul knew about the uncontrollable shaking in her hands. Her insides quaked at his knowing look. An MT with twitchy fingers didn’t bode well.
“Okay. How about you do mornings and leave at noon? I’ll get on hiring another person.” Jesse seemed to have given it thought already.
A breath escaped between her teeth. “It would be a big help. until I can?—”
“You need a substantial break. Would it help if you only massaged women?” Jesse’s eyes bored into her.
She stiffened. Jesse and Rory had talked. “No, I can handle the men …” she faltered, remembering Curtis.
Jesse’s lips thinned. “Vi, your comfort level on the job is important, so I’ll make this perfectly clear. You don’t have to take any appointments you don’t want.” Irritation passed over his face. “If a jerk is stressing you out, he doesn’t need a massage.”
A shiver washed over her. Jesse’s dark look could intimidate the hardest heart. Too bad she couldn’t borrow it for certain clients.
Vi rose, digesting his words. Her insides slowly unclenched. “Thanks. You’re a peach, Jesse.” Her cheeks flushed with warmth. She hadn’t meant to call her boss a piece of fruit, even if he had offered an unprecedented level of support on her behalf.
His wry chuckle eased her embarrassment. “Better than other things I’ve been called. Vi, I’m serious about lightening your load. Mornings only this week. We’ll talk again before you take on a full schedule.”
Jess climbed out of his chair, rounded the desk, and walked her to the door. “Thanks for stopping by. We appreciate you around here.” As ever, his professionalism stood staunchly in place, but his eyes had drifted next door.
Vi hid a grin. Brenna never had a chance with Jesse’s office so close by. The man didn’t know how to leave her alone. It reminded her of—oh dear. God, help me.
Forcing thoughts of Rory away, she clunked down the hall. Her feet itched to dance when she remembered Cyrus. She’d reschedule her afternoon massages, do the one scheduled for this morning, then zip back to Paige’s. First, though, she had to track down Silas. His text said he would be at the gym.
Her phone chimed with an incoming text. Brenna’s name flashed across the screen.
Mom’s okay with Theodore taking Thunder and a cat. Tonight, they’re going to discuss Responsibility 101. I’m pretty sure it’s a slam dunk. THIS IS AMAZING!
Vi grinned, agreeing with her. Two foster pets had found their forever home. Five felines to go. Surely a guy who loved cat videos deserved his own filming crew. Pitching to a soft spot never hurt anything—if the guy had one.
