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ChapterFive
“Are you sure you don’t want any more garlic bread, Jess,” Berta offered for the third time. “You’re too skinny.”
Tony sighed and shook his head. “You can’t tell a woman she’s skinny, Aunt Berta.” Then he turned his attention to Jess. “See what I mean about that honest-to-a-fault thing?”
Jess just laughed. “It’s okay. And truly, I couldn’t eat another bite. It was all so good.”
Jasper had already asked to be excused so he could go back to the guest room to watchSpongeBobon “the movie screen.”
He’d been plugged in for most of the afternoon, but Jess didn’t have the heart to tell him no. Neither of them had watched television the past few weeks, so she didn’t want to deny him the treat of vegging out as much as he wanted. God only knew when he’d get the opportunity to do so again.
“Well, no matter,” Berta said, rising from the table and picking up her plate and the basket of leftover bread. “I’ll pack some of it and the lasagna for you and Jasper for your lunch tomorrow.”
Jess rose. “That’s very nice of you, but you don’t need to do that. Here, let me help you clean up.”
She picked up her plate and Jasper’s as Rhys and Tony helped clear the table as well. The four of them made quick work of putting the kitchen back to rights, and despite Jess insisting it wasn’t necessary, Berta did indeed pack her and Jasper enough leftovers to last them for days. Jess had been hungry enough this month that she’d had to blink back tears of relief at the thought of not having to worry about food for a little while.
“That’s me for the night,” Berta said as she hung up the tea towel to dry. “Going to slip down the hallway to say good night to Jasper before heading to my apartment to watchYellowstone. I wouldn’t kick that Kevin Costner out of bed for eating crackers.” She hugged Jess. “Goodbye, lovely girl. I hope you’ll come back to visit us again. And be sure to bring that sweet boy with you.”
Jess nodded, sad to think she most likely wouldn’t see Berta again.
Once Berta left the kitchen, Tony picked up a bottle of red wine from the counter. “Glass of wine before bed?”
She started to refuse, then reconsidered. This perfect night was dwindling down quickly. “That would be really nice.”
Tony poured three glasses, and they all moved into the living room. She claimed one end of the couch, while Rhys took the other. Tony plopped down in the recliner next to her side of the couch.
“I can’t thank the two of you enough for today. I…last night was probably one of the worst of my life, while today…well…it was one of the best.”
Rhys took a sip of wine, then put his glass on the coaster on the end table next to him. “It was nice having you and Jasper here.”
“Still planning to call social services tomorrow?” Tony asked.
She nodded, hoping to set his mind at ease, not wanting him to think she’d ever repeat last night’s stupidity. “I am.”
“Will you tell us if they don’t have room immediately?” Rhys asked.
She hesitated, knowing why Rhys asked the question, and knowing she wouldn’t impose on their generosity beyond tonight.
“Scratch that,” Tony interjected when she was quiet too long. “Youwilltell us if they don’t have room for you.”
She raised one eyebrow, pretending to be annoyed. Not exactly an easy feat, given the giddy feeling that followed his alpha male proclamations. Jess had spent a lifetime fending for herself, so when Tony used that growling, demanding voice, she let herself loosen her grip on the reins for a second. It felt ridiculously freeing, even it if was fleeting.
Regardless, she wouldn’t tell them if there wasn’t room. She wouldn’t continue to intrude on them that way. They’d already gone above and beyond.
“I wish you’d let us give you some money,” Rhys said, but Jess quickly waved his words away.
“No. I would never take money from you. I just got knocked down for a little while. I’ll find my way back up. I always do.”
“You and Jasper have been on your own since he was born?” Tony asked.
She shook her head. “Not exactly. I got pregnant toward the end of my senior year of high school. I was the stupid girl who thought she’d found true love. You can probably guess how that turned out.”
“Your boyfriend broke up with you?” Tony asked.
“Of course he did. My mom wanted me to get an abortion, but I refused. So she kicked me out right after graduation.”
“Jesus,” Rhys muttered. “What did you do?”
