Page 7 of My Favorite Hero

“It’s fine. Keep your cat away from him.”

She turned to go and began to laugh. “Barney and Miller. Wasn’t that a TV show in the ’70s?”

I snorted. “Neither of us was born then.”

“I know. But my mom and I loved it—we watched the reruns all the time.”

I ignored how delighted she looked. It did something to my chest.

I should never have let her in the door.

“Good night, Katharine.”

“Casey. It’s Casey, Thorne.”

“Jesse,” I corrected her.

“But Thorne suits you better. Because you’re all grumpy and thorny when you get riled.”

“I’m that way all the time. Remember that. And it’s Jesse.”

“Night, Thorne.”

I growled as she walked out the door, following her and unable to let her have the last word.

“Good night, Katharine Casey.”

And I slammed the door before she could respond.

Leaning my head back on the door, I groaned. I knew a tenant would be a pain.

I just had no idea how much of a pain.

And I had a feeling it was just starting.

“Be patient,” she said.

“Thanks, Lou,” I muttered.

I swore I heard her cackling.

Chapter Three

JESSE

Isat up, smashing my pillow and lying back down, trying to get comfortable. Instead of getting a long, much-deserved night’s rest, I couldn’t relax.

And it was all Casey’s fault.

She had left, and I’d shut off the lights and pulled on some sweats, heading to bed since I was exhausted.

But as soon as my head hit the pillow, the thoughts started.

I wondered where she would sleep tonight.

On the floor? The old sofa?

There was no bed upstairs since Lou had taken it with her to the home. In fact, all her bedroom furniture had gone and was donated afterward. All that was left in the place were a few odd pieces, including a small table and the old sofa that I recalled being pretty lumpy.