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I shrug as if it’s no big deal. As if we’re talking about a simple cup of coffee and not an hour-long therapy session every two weeks. “What was I supposed to do? She couldn’t keep going the way she was. She needed help.”
Zara puts her hands on her hips. A series of emotions flickers on her face and lands on a frown. “And she’s okay with you paying for her therapy?” The lines on her forehead deepen. “That doesn’t sound like Jess. She’s not exactly open when it comes to asking for or accepting help.”
I don’t rush to respond, and a string of silent curses flashes in Zara’s eyes. “She doesn’t know, does she? She actually believes the state is covering the cost. You lied to her?”
“Like I said, she needed help.” A warning darkens my tone. “And if she finds out who really is paying for it, I’m worried she’ll quit therapy.” Because Zara’s right. Jess doesn’t like accepting help.
“You’re right, she does need therapy. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay for it. I’m sure once you told her about Robyn, Jess would’ve paid for it herself just to get better.”
“With what exactly? She doesn’t have a lot of money.” That much I have figured out. “What she does have she’s spending on her house.” Because that house seems to mean more to Jess than anything else—other than Bailey. And I don’t mean in the typical sense I see with most homeowners. The house has a deeper significance for Jess. I just haven’t figured out what it is.
“You truly believe she’d put the renovations on her house above getting therapy?”
“That’s exactly what I think. She would have done the renovations herself instead of hiring me or someone else. That’s why I offered to help her with the renos, but as her friend. I’m not her paid contractor, and I can get the supplies at cost.” And even then, it took some convincing to get Jess to agree to it.
Zara stares at me. “Let me get this straight. You’re paying for her therapy, you’re spending all your free time helping her renovate her house, and you arranged for her to adopt a service dog? Which, I might add, she doesn’t realize isherdog. She thinks she’s just Bailey’s puppy raiser.” Appraising eyes bore into mine. In a flutter of dark lashes, those same chocolate-brown eyes swirl with warmth and awareness. “Are you in love with her?”
Before I can respond, a delighted laugh powers from Zara. “Ohmigod, youarein love.”
I frown. “I’m not in love with Jess. She and I are friends. And as her friend, it’s my duty to be there for her in whatever way I can.” And that includes kissing her if it helps her relax.
Right, because you didn’t enjoy kissing her as much as she enjoyed being the recipient.
“Sure, if you’d been friends with her for longer than you have been,” Zara says, looking a little too smug. “But you’ve only known her two months.”
“You’re reading way too much into this, Zara.”
But is she?I push the thought away. I’m not in love with Jess. I care for her. A lot. I enjoy holding her and kissing her. A lot. And I think about what it would feel like to sink into her. A lot. But that doesn’t mean I’m in love.
Except…that’s not entirely true. Those aren’t the only times I think about her.
I think about Jess all the time.
She’s the first thing I think about when I wake up. And the last thing I think about when I go to bed. And it’s not because I’m worried about her or thinking about ways I can help her. It has nothing to do with that.
I love spending time with her. Love watching her reaction to the simplest things, like the sunset and Bailey and Butterscotch playing together. I love listening to her laugh. I can never get enough of that.
I can…I can never get enough of Jess.
I’m not just falling for her.
I’m falling for her hard.
Zara drops onto an armchair and leans back to look up at me. “Alright, if you say so. Anyhow, what’s your solution that will cost me an employee?”
“Jayne’s mother had a stroke, and Jayne’s going to Texas to be with her. She doesn’t think she’ll be returning to Maple Ridge, which means I need a new assistant.” I sit on the couch, my forearms resting on my knees. “The job’s perfect for Jess. And Bailey can be with her all the time.”
“I know she worries about Bailey, which isn’t helping the situation. And Bailey can’t learn to be there for her if she isn’t with Jess twenty-four seven.” Zara levels me with a meaningful glance. “But if I were you, Troy, I’d give Jess the option of which job she wants to do. Right now, you’re trying to be the white knight, fixing all her problems. But you’re also not being completely honest with her.”
“I’m not trying to fix all her problems. I’m helping her. And if I’m keeping the truth from her, it’s for her benefit, not mine.”
Zara mutters something that sounds like “Alpha men!” and shakes her head. “At least ask her which job she’d prefer to do before you sign her up for your company medical insurance.”
* * *
Olivia and Novaare at the counter when Zara and I return to the café. Nova is in her mother’s arms. She reaches out when she sees me, and I happily accept her small body.
“Hey, Princess. What brings you and your momma here?”
