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“Bet you loved the incentive part.”
“Ya think?” Jesse’s lifted brow raised Rory’s spirits. “She was so darn cute about the whole thing, and I’m nuts about her, so … easy choice. A corner of his mouth tilted up. Your hounding paid off. The counseling sessions with Pastor Mike have been a key component. He helped me see the years of pent-up anger had formed a default button in my psyche. He assured me I could reprogram with God’s help. Once I learned change was possible, I’ve been in overhaul mode ever since.”
“So, you’re on track to get married?” Rory pressed. Normally, he’d know these things. He pushed down the jealousy twinging for attention. He missed the camaraderie since Brenna came on the scene, knowing full well, he’d act the same if he had a girlfriend.
“Yep. I’m vastly improved—Brenna’s words. We plan to tie the knot in July. The first anniversary of her dumping salad on me at Cowpokes.” His white teeth flashed in a grin.
Rory raised his hand for a high five. “Ecstatic for you, bud.” Jesse slapped his hand. They gathered their bowls and took them to the kitchen.
Jesse spoke over the clatter of putting dishes in the dishwasher. “You didn’t answer my question. What’s bugging you?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Jesse left the kitchen and sat back down. Rory reluctantly followed. Dread over what he had to say stirred about the room. Jesse gazed at him steadily as if he had all night. Might as well get it over with. “Vi’s avoiding me, and now she’s taking off for Houston.” He laid his head against the couch for support. “The day Vi and I went to San Antonio, Stella let herself into my townhouse. When we walked in, there she was, decking the halls in an outfit that looked like sexy pajamas.”
“Ouch.” Jesse’s grimace would have been comical under different circumstances.
“Yeah. Vintage Stella. I had to flat-out demand she leave. Eventually, she did—but not before spewing pure fiction about our time together.”
“And Vi heard it all.” Jesse’s eyes glimmered with sympathy. “Small wonder she’s avoiding you.”
Rory winced at the blunt assessment. “Vi understood I got blindsided. We talked about it”—He held his thumb and index finger a hairsbreadth apart—“this much. Then she shut down and wanted me to take her home. We had such a fantastic day, but now she’s running.”
“Do you blame her?” Jesse’s tone suggested he didn’t. “Stella’s a hard pill to swallow. Vi needs time.”
“It’s been three days. I went by Vi’s house this afternoon to check on the painters. She was giving Silas a tour. Once she left, the guy had the gall to say he’d take over if I don’t fix things. We used to hang out. Now he’s a real jerk.”
A knowing look passed over Jesse’s features. “Silas wants to get a rise out of you.”
Rory’s mind kept circling back. “Jess, our pre-date, and the charity gala were great. And we had an awesome time in San Antonio. Vi’s idea. She won’t let me love her.”
Jesse’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Have you signed up for the massage she bought for you?”
“I’ve been busy.” The idea of going through the torture of a massage still rankled.
“And you can’t figure out what’s wrong?”
“Jess, a massage will not fix everything.”
“It’d be a good start. I heard what transpired on Christmas Eve. She agreed to a date, and you agreed to a massage. You got your sweet end of the deal and more, but what about Vi?”
Rory blinked. It couldn’t be that simple.
“And I’ll bet you haven’t told her one iota about your life-changing accident.” Jesse’s eyes pressured him.
“Why does it matter?”
“Dude!” Jesse shook his head in disbelief. “She wants to know all about you. If Brenna asks me about Afghanistan or anything else, I tell her. Most of the time, I leave out the brutal details, but she gets the gist. She says it helps her understand why I overreact.” His jaw flexed.
“Transparency is overrated.” Rory brushed the idea aside. “What I know is Vi won’t let me love her.”
Jesse’s posture morphed from relaxed to ramrod straight. “She’s always been standoffish. You won’t let her love you either.” He held up a finger. “You say you’re too busy for a massage, but we both know that’s bull.” He added another finger. “She’s probably clueless why you don’t have a foot because you ignore all inquiries on the subject. Vi is not the only one who doesn’t let people get close.”
Desperately wanting to argue, Rory rolled his head from side to side. Jesse’s observations couldn’t be accurate. Could they?
Jesse headed to the kitchen. “Wanna stay and watch a movie? I need more time to knock sense into your thick skull.”
Rory’s options had vanished. His lonely townhouse held no appeal.
