Page 32 of Fight from the Heart

Jacob lowers, pressing his lips to my forehead and holding the position. Tears fill my eyes as we lay molded together, still connected when a sharp knock sounds on the front door. Jacob pulls back to look down at me.

“Are you expecting someone?”

“I don’t know anyone,” he replies, tipping his head as if he can see the front door from our position behind the arm of the couch. He probably can because we moved the furniture.

“Stay here,” he commands, quickly separating from me. He moves off the couch and reaches for his jeans, stepping into them without his boxers. He grabs the cable-knit sweater he gave to me last night and slips it over his head. Leaving me, he rounds the couch and heads to the front door. He looks through the muted glass of the side window before opening the door a crack.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Pam Carter.” Instantly, I recognize the rough male voice. “Is she here?”

Shit.

“Who wants to know?” Jacob inquires, irritation present in his voice. His body shifts, blocking the visitor from viewing inside, but I know who stands out there. I swing my legs from the couch and scramble for my sweater. My leggings are next as my underwear is somewhere behind the couch. Still seated, I tug up the material and hear the man at the door speak.

“Her brother, Jess.” He speaks with the same warning hesitation Jacob did.

Jacob slides the door open farther, revealing me with my bedhead of hair and smudged makeup. Trying to straighten day-old clothing, I stand and walk with humiliation to the front door to face my brother. Eyes that match mine shift from me to Jacob and then back.

“Who’s this?” Jess snaps, tipping his head in Jacob’s direction.

“This is Jacob Vincent.” I address my brother, no longer holding back Jacob’s secrets. Jacob doesn’t take his eyes off Jess.

“He the mystery man?” Jess smirks, his jaw clenching as he’s working through his thoughts. Born eleven months apart, Jess looks every bit my twin, with chin-length straw-blond hair and denim blue eyes, only his brooding features don’t match the more roundness of me.

“I’m her boss,” Jacob interjects with steel in his tone. His body stiffens as he continues assessing my brother.

My family has known I work for someone outside of Mae’s Flowers, and they’ve teased me for years that I’m in love with this mystery man. I’ve adamantly denied my feelings. Standing before my brother, I look guilty of something other than loving the man at my side.

“You okay?” Jess asks, pausing to assess my state of dress. “Thought you might be snowed in.” I tip my head to see my eldest brother, Tom, sitting in his truck geared up with snowplowing equipment.

“How did you find me?” I question as I’ve never revealed Jacob’s address.

“Emily has some find her friends app. She looked up your location when you weren’t answering your phone.”

I chew at my lip, uncertain of what’s next when Jacob speaks.

“Since you’re here, could you plow the drive? Then Pam can get out of here.” Jacob’s terse tone, addressing my brother, turns my head in his direction. I narrow my eyes on him, wondering why he’s standing so still. His fingers are white-knuckling the edge of the front door. My stomach roils. Is he trying to get rid of me? Is my brothers’ sudden appearance the perfect excuse to kick me out?

“Yeah, man. We got it.” Jess addresses Jacob and then turns to me. “Phone dead?”

“Lost power last night,” Jacob clarifies for me, but I’m holding eyes with my brother again.

“Call Mom,” he mutters.

Shit.

I never called anyone to tell them where I was. Not that I need to check in, but it was a storm, and I’m guessing Mom checked in with all her chicks to make sure everyone was safe. I hadn’t answered my phone all night. Then again, I am a grown-ass adult and can take care of myself. Glancing up at Jacob, I realize I’m wrong. I’m in over my head. I’ve thrown myself at the fire and got burned.

“Let me get my things. I’ll meet you downstairs.” I pause, waiting for Jacob to say something, anything to stop me from going, but he doesn’t. When I glance back at my brother, Jess’s jaw clenches before he nods once.

“Nice to meet you,” he mutters to Jacob, holding out a hand. Jacob stares down at it for a second before responding.

“You, too, man.”

Shaking my head, I trudge back to our little nest, gathering my bra and socks before searching for my bag. My underwear is a lost cause. My jacket was near my bag, and I roughly tug it on, angry with myself. I’m so stupid.

Jacob enters his office without a word to me, and I return to the hall for my boots. While I slip them on, Jacob returns, standing before me. He holds out his hand with several bills in them—hundred-dollar bills.