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“Stay in the guest room, Jess.” Tony leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, a pose she’d seen him in before whenever he said something serious, something pressing. “And not just tonight. Rhys and I want you to move in here until you get your feet under you.”
She shook her head, though she wasn’t sure if she meant that as a rejection or if she was simply too shocked to believe their offer. “I can’t…do that.”
“Of course you can,” Rhys said, sliding closer to her on the couch. “We’ve discussed it, and the offer is sincere.”
“I…isn’t there anyone in your lives who might not approve?” Jess asked.
“Like who?”
“I don’t know…girlfriends?” She couldn’t figure out how either man was still single.
“Neither one of us is dating anyone right now,” Tony replied, as he moved from the recliner to perch on the coffee table in front of her. “Jasper wasn’t the only one who had the greatest day ever. Aunt Berta texted me no less than six times, demanding that we convince you to stay. I think she intends to plead her own case on why you should let her be Jasper’s new after-school babysitter.”
“I…” Jess was too overwhelmed to respond.
Rhys scooted closer, the two of them so near, she could smell their cologne. “Think about it, Jess. Think about the other people standing in line at those shelters. I suspect you weren’t the only woman. The only one with a child.”
“I wasn’t.” Jess recalled another woman who, like her, had a young child in her arms. She’d recognized the desperation, the desolation in the woman’s eyes, because they’d mirrored her own.
“You staying here would free up space for others who need a place out of the cold. But more than that, it’s a way of providing Jasper a safe home. You’re a good mom, and I know you recognize that as the truth.”
She wasn’t sure how Rhys had gotten her number so quickly, but he certainly knew the right way to plead his case.
Everything they offered her was the answer to a prayer. But there was that damn pride issue she never seemed able to beat down completely. “I don’t have a lot of money right now.”
Tony frowned, confused. “So?”
“I would want to pay my own way. I mean, Iamgoing to pay. The two of you for rent and groceries, and Aunt Berta, for the babysitting.”
“She won’t take your money,” Tony said.
“Then I’ll pay her with gifts. I’m not staying here otherwise.”
“Jess—” Tony started.
“Nonnegotiable,” she replied, throwing the same word he’d used with her a couple times back at him.
He grumbled and crossed his arms. “Listen, Jess—”
“Fine,” Rhys said quickly, when it became obvious Tony was ready to keep fighting her. “We’ll work out the money part later. Take a couple weeks to start rebuilding your coffers and we’ll revisit it then.”
She wanted to insist they do it now, but it reallyhadbeen a long day, and she didn’t have the energy. Besides, she was still trying to wrap her head around their offer, trying to believe it was real.
She and Jasper would be safe and warm. They’d have food. She’d spent every single minute for the past eight months—no, scratch that—she’d spent her entire adult life worrying about Jasper, their future, their survival.
Tony and Rhys, with their incredible offer, had taken all of that away. Even if only for a few months. She wouldn’t have to worry about sleeping in shelters or trying to figure out where their next meal was coming from. Jasper would be well cared for by an attentive, loving babysitter who wouldn’t just shove him in front of a television and yell at him to be quiet all the time.
The tension in her shoulders and the crushing pressure on her chest lifted—and she suddenly felt so light, she couldn’t believe her feet were still touching the ground.
“We won’t be a bother, I promise,” she said, realizing Tony and Rhys were both making a very big sacrifice, inviting her and a six-year-old into their home. It would be a big adjustment for men used to living in a quiet bachelor pad. “You won’t even know we’re here.”
Tony shook his head. “You’re not hiding in the guest room, Jess. This is going to be your home for as long as you need it to be. Besides, Rhys is boring as fuck. I’m looking forward to you and Jasper livening this place up.”
Rhys snorted. “Boring as fuck, huh?”
“Hey, Jasper,” Tony called out loudly. “Come here a minute.”
Jess was immediately wise to his plan. “Tony,” she warned.
