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“When she said we’d talked about this before, I got … upset. She may think we’ve talked about this, but we haven’t.” Rory focused on a dark speck in the vinyl floor pattern. “She hung up on me, and … I lost it.” He exhaled heavily and gazed at Jesse. “I called another girl and took her to dinner.”
Jesse’s brows arched up his forehead. “That was stupid.”
Irked beyond casual politeness, Rory blurted, “You know, I’m getting really tired of my friends telling me how stupid I am.” His indignation mounted. “Tavo informed me I’m stupid for not getting a massage. Now you’re saying the same thing. It’s perfectly okay to go on a date, Jess.”
“Not if you’re in love with someone else.”
Rory reeled as if Jesse had dealt him a blow. He set his coffee mug aside with trembling fingers. “Is this love?”
“What do you think?”
Rory steepled his fingers to his lips, wonder splashing over him. He hadn’t considered love would feel this way. “Part of me is missing, and Vi is the only possible solution. I want her so badly, it’s killing me.” At Jesse’s expression, he held up a hand. “I’m not talking physical—this is different. No other woman has affected me this way. Vi is … oxygen.” Breath abandoned him as the truth revealed itself.
Jesse’s jaw softened. “Sounds about right.”
“But she’s into Silas.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You didn’t see him hanging all over her this morning.”
A frown thinned Jesse’s lip. “Emilio informed me about the inappropriate hug, but I stopped by Paige’s to see Brenna when Silas came by to pick up the cats. I wondered why Vi seemed more distant than usual. Opposite reaction from the tension arcing between you two at the Christmas party.”
“What are you talking about?” Rory scratched one side of his mustache.
Jesse slapped his leg, shooting Rory a look of disbelief. “Oh, c’mon. If Tavo had flicked a lighter, Paige’s house would have burst into flames.”
“How would you know?” Rory demanded. “You were busy with Brenna.”
“Ro, kissing my girl tops the chart for favorite things to do, but nothing’s wrong with my brain … or my vision.”
“I don’t know what to do, Jess.” Rory stood, then paced. “She won’t go on a date with me.”
Jesse crossed one leg over the other. “I’m hearing you loud and clear. Seems to me she’s not on the same page yet. Slow your roll, bud. Give her time to catch up.”
As Rory chewed on this new perspective, Jesse leaned forward. “You better tell her about the date. She won’t be thrilled, but far better she hears it from you than anyone else.” He rose. “You’ll figure this out. Soon, I hope. Peeps’ best MT needs her peace of mind.” He took his mug to the kitchen and headed to the door. “How’d the date go?”
“Horrid.” Rory smacked his head. “Jess! I forgot until this second. Dad closed the deal on the eight-acre tract next to Peeps.”
A canyon-sized grin covered Jesse’s face. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Dad told me this afternoon. It’s a good way to start our expansion plans even if it’s small. We still haven’t checked out the other tract, but I gave him the go-ahead. He knows what we need and how to proceed.”
“Super news.” Jesse started for the door, then turned back with a smirk. “Serves you right about the date.” Still grinning, he left.
Rory rose and set his mug on the kitchen counter. He turned off the coffee machine and got ready to sleep. Fat chance.
His head nestled the pillow as he studied the phone screen. Sighing, he tapped a text.
Are you awake?
Long silence. His legs thrashed the sheets. Vi was asleep or not speaking. A message dinged.
Only if you’re nice.
I’m nice.
Cyrus snorted at you.
