AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Vi took a step back. Better to stay out of reach. His powerful arms and fiery lips would only ignite a desire for more.
More had never been the long-term option. Not with all her baggage. Vi wished they’d never kissed. Then she wouldn’t miss it.
“You’ll lock up?” Without waiting for an answer, she said, “Cyrus, come.” Vi forced her feet to move. When the dog rose and shook, the residue clinging to him flew everywhere.
After Vi left, Rory adjusted his weight on an upturned paint bucket. Uncomfortable, but his legs thanked him. Regular stretching only provided short-term relief. He needed a new solution. Frigid air penetrated his body, trailing down his limbs. Was Vi still upset about Stella? This seemed deeper. Whatever the issue, her going to Houston wouldn’t help. His one experience with Tru Marshall had made it clear she’d tuck Vi under her wing in a heartbeat, but it would be more for herself than for Vi.
A casual whistle came from the hallway, then Silas appeared. A dark look lined his craggy features. Rory had forgotten all about the guy.
Rory rose, ignoring the ache in his leg. “You done looking? I need to lock up.”
“You need to lock up, all right.” Silas’s shoulders were bunched with tension.
“What does that mean?” Rory asked. Silas’s interference aggravated him.
His eyes mere slits, Silas observed him for a long moment before he spoke. “She’s a sweet little gal. You better quit bumbling around before?—”
“Before what?” Rory gave back a hard stare.
“Before I step in and fix it.” Silas moved to the door without a sound.
A white ball of anger shot through Rory. “You leave Vi alone!”
Back at his townhouse, Rory swung the fridge door shut with more force than necessary. No food. Unless leftovers from the Italian place counted, but he couldn’t bring himself to revisit their magical day. He’d break a tooth on the rock-hard pizza crust.
He pulled his phone out and texted Jesse.
You got anything to eat?
Seconds later, his phone dinged.
You’re in luck. Mac and cheese on the stove.
Rory stared at his phone. Hunger warred with his desire to avoid any updates Jesse would demand. One petite redhead remained a particularly sore spot.
No way he could dodge. Jesse knew him too well.
Hunger won. Minutes later, he stood at Jesse’s stove, dishing up a bowl of creamy pasta. His mouth watered at the golden sauce. “Why aren’t you with Brenna?”
Jesse poured a glass of chocolate milk. “Want one?” Without waiting for an answer, he retrieved another glass from the cabinet. “Brenna took her brother to a movie. I got an invite but passed so they could have sibling time.”
They moved to the living area with their food and drink. Jesse chose the large recliner, so Rory kicked back on the couch. Jesse offered a blessing, and they ate in silence.
Setting his empty bowl on the coffee table, Rory stretched. “Your mac and cheese always hits the spot.”
“One of my few cooking accomplishments. What’s bugging you?”
Rory wasn’t ready to talk about it. “Why aren’t you and Brenna married yet?”
Jesse gazed at him, then shrugged. “Once I proposed, we talked about setting a date. I preferred the ASAP option, but she insisted we wait.”
“Well, that begs the question.” Rory leaned forward, fingers steepled, and rubbed his thumbs.
Jesse made a noise between a chuckle and a huff. “Mm-hmm. The woman of my dreams claimed I had a horrible temper.”
Despite his anguish, Rory grinned broadly. “Kudos for her.”
“Oh, it gets better.” Jesse’s mouth quirked. “Apparently, my mood fluctuations made me a miserable person to work for. She said I was incredible, but the big green guy had to go. Thankfully, she gave me time and the incentive to learn other responses besides anger.”
