and a movie with me and my papa?
Come at like 6.
Jesse thought about it for a moment, and that sounded like the perfect way to spend a Sunday night.
I’ll be there.
Great, bring Clementine.
And some ice cream.
And your hot hot ass.
I’ll make sure I have all 3 on hand.
At 5:50, Jesse pulled up to the LeRoux house on Wildwood Canyon Road. He wasn’t expecting Mr. LeRoux to be standing in the driveway. Jesse parked his truck behind Lily-Grace’s SUV, then let Clementine out of the back of the cab. Jesse grabbed the bag with the scotch for Mr. LeRoux and the ice cream for his daughter.
“She’s trying to convince me to get a dog, but you have a dog right here. Hello, Clementine,” Mr. LeRoux said.
Clem wagged her tail, knowing she’d made a new friend. The older man looked up at Jesse, the smile dropping from his face. “I wanted to thank you for looking out for my daughter. She’d kill me if she knew that’s what I was out here saying to you, but it’s true.”
“What does she think we’re out here talking about?”
“Miss Leona.”
“Oh. Do you have anything to share on that front?”
“No.” He shook his head. “We’re on a different terrestrial plane than you young people when it comes to relationships. She said she’ll tell me when she’s ready for a ring, so I’m just gonna wait.”
“Okay.” Jesse chuckled.
“But I did speak with Dane Locklear this afternoon.” That, Jesse wasn’t expecting.
“You did?”
Mr. LeRoux nodded. “I’d never met him. She said it wasn’t serious, even after five years or so, but you know. I give her space. I regret that with this one though.”
“What did he have to say for himself?”
“Oh, he played dumb. Maybe that’s for the best for him right now, legally speaking, but I told him if he ever messes with my daughter or you again, I’ll kill him myself.”
The man was seventy-five years old, but Jesse believed him. “I thought about driving up to see him today,” he admitted. “Just to talk, maybe break a finger or two.”
“I understand the inclination. But for you, your future, your career. It’s not worth it. You belong here, with her. Not in Folsom on an assault charge.”
“You have a very good point.”
“Send him the bill for your patio door though. He can definitely pay for that.”
“I will. Uh—” Jesse cleared his throat. This day was filled with stark honesty, and while his emotional door was open he might as well keep his hot streak going. “Sir, I wanted to let you know, especially after everything that happened, I’m falling in love with your daughter.”
The bright smile returned to Mr. LeRoux’s face. He held out his hand and met Jesse’s with a solid shake. “I think she’d like that. Just be good to her, Jesse.”
“I will, sir.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Why don’t you come on inside? You and your prize puppy.”
They headed up the front porch and spotted Lily-Grace watching through the side window. “Oh hey,” she said when they opened the door. “Wasn’t expecting you.”
