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It didn’t take her very long to doze off. She was understandably wiped. I didn’t understand how someone could look so sexy and so disarmingly cute at the same time.
I rubbed my hands over my face, a realization dawning on me.
I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I lost Vivian. If anything happened to her. If she’d been hurt, I’d blame no one but myself for failing to protect her because this beautiful, infuriatingly cheeky, intelligent woman meant more to me than I first realized.
She was, slowly but surely, becoming everything to me.
And this was dangerous.
Because once upon a time, I thought the exact same thing about Melissa. I was convinced she was the love of my life. I gave her everything. Opened up to her. Let her see a side of myself I never showed anyone else. I worked my hands to the bone to provide for her, give her the life she deserved. And in the end, it turns out I gave her nothing but grief.
She was so fucking lonely, Dad.
But you wouldn’t have known because you were always gone.
I never thought about it that way before. All I ever wanted was to give Melissa and Wally a good life.That’swhy I worked so damn hard. Could they not understand that I was sacrificing my time for their sake? Was it really my fault that they came to resent me? I was only trying to do right by them.
Would Vivian come to resent me, too?
I didn’t want to find out. My heart wouldn’t be able to take it. Not again. Not ever.
I needed to put an end to things before there was no turning back.
Chapter 23
Vivian
Inoticed it first thing in the morning. He was exactly the same, but…different. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Conversation was light. Friendly. Perfectly normal, if you were to look at the interaction from the outside in.
Jesse made me breakfast. Eggs Benedict with a side of hashbrowns and freshly squeezed orange juice. He moved about the space with confidence, handled his utensils with care and precision.
“You’re awfully good with your hands,” I said suggestively, eyeing the way he chopped up bits of potato.
“Thank you.” His voice lacked any trace of warmth. I thought maybe I misheard him over the rush of the hood fan over the stove.
When he plated up our food, I asked, “Do you think we can eat in the living room? Watch something on TV while we eat breakfast?”
“I have some things to take care of,” he said firmly. “I’ll give you the remote. I’m sure you remember how to use it.”
“Can you show me one more time? Help me refresh my memory.”
“Sure.”
I sat down on the couch and set my plate on the coffee table in front of me. Jesse didn’t take up his usual spot to my right. In fact, he didn’t even bring his food. He bent over, picked up the remote, pressed a couple of buttons. The projector screen unfurled from the ceiling and the default channel turned on. He handed me the remote.
Perfunctory.
“Uh… thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I need to make a phone call in the other room.”
I gestured like I was zipping my lips. “I’ll be quiet.”
I tilted my head up, fully expecting him to dip down and kiss me. It was just an automatic reaction at this point. He’d spoiled me with little pecks before, so I figured he’d do it again without issue.
Except he turned away and disappeared down the hall.
I sat there, frowning up at the screen.
