Page 50 of Hard Knock Hero

I snickered. “I know it seems that way, but that part is separate. Being close to him… Scar, it’s amazing. He won’t be here long, but I still need to be cautious, and Aiden has been great about that. He’s…” I sighed and snagged another bite of brownie. “If I’m really lucky, maybe the bridge won’t get repaired and he’ll have to stay longer. Because I swear, my body feels like it’s been mothballed the past couple years. I need him to sweep out all my corners and pump some sunshine into me.”

We leaned our heads together and giggled.

“It’s good to see you like this,” she said.

“Like what?”

“Like stress isn’t about to drive you into the ground.”

“It’s good tofeellike this.” Desired. Seen. Like my world was opening up with possibilities instead of closing in around me. “After Aiden leaves, I might be ready to try dating again. He’s breaking the seal on my forgotten love life.”

Though the thought of any man but him made my stomach sour.

Suddenly Scarlett gasped, covering her mouth. “Shoot, the bridge. That’s why I was trying to get ahold of you in the first place. The bridge was repaired as of this morning. Which means Jeremy could be back any minute.”

My stomach fell all the way to the tile floor. But at least I didn’t have to worry about Aiden leaving yet. He’d said he would stay until Friday, and he had all the more reason now, judging by that fiery kiss we’d shared before Scarlett had barged in.

But my real brother would get here soon, and so would my ex. And things were so much worse between me and the Rigsbys than ever before. Scarlett didn’t know the half of it.

Then someone else started banging on the diner’s front door. Scarlett and I both jumped.

Sheriff Owen Douglas was outside, and he lookedpissed.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Aiden

I hadn’t meantto eavesdrop. But I had been starting down the stairs and heard Scarlett and Jessi talking. Their voices had drifted up from the kitchen.

“You really like this handsome stranger. Are you catching feelings?”

A question like that should’ve filled me with the urge to run. I’d had girlfriends, but never anything serious. That was how I preferred things. But as I listened to Jessi’s answer, I wasn’t running for the exits. I was just thinking abouther. Pondering what else I could do for her in the time we had left together. And wishing we had at least a few days more. Jessi was saying the same thing downstairs.

But as I kept listening, it sounded like Jessi was just talking about sex. I was more than willing in that department. And able. Yet I was almost…disappointed.

Then she said, “After Aiden leaves, I might be ready to try dating again.” Those words hit me like a punch to the solar plexus. Jessi had every right to date other men, to be happy, but the thought still made me nauseous. I wanted to know who these other guys were and see proof that they were good enough. Jessi deserved the best.

Loud knocking interrupted their conversation. Somebody was at the door, and that knock wasn’t a friendly one. I raced down the stairs and joined Jessi and Scarlett in the kitchen, where they were looking through the cut-out toward the front of the diner.

“Owen,” Jessi whispered at me, eyes wide.

“I’ll handle it.”

I guessed we were about to find out if he knew about Mitch. It was still possible I’d see the inside of a Hartley jail cell, and that would’ve put a damper on any romantic plans I had for Jessi.

Really hoped that wasn’t about to happen.

I went toward the door and unlocked it. Scarlett must’ve flipped the latch after she’d come inside, and I appreciated her carefulness. She was a good friend to Jessi, despite her lack of caution about entering apartments without knocking.

I opened the door and looked out at Owen. “Can I help you, Sheriff?”

Owen’s scowl deepened. “Is Jessi all right?”

I nodded my head toward the kitchen. “She’s here. Why wouldn’t she be all right?”What have you heard?I wanted to ask. Was the rest of Mitch’s family out for our blood, or not? The suspense was killing me.

Never mind. Insensitive choice of words, considering Mitch’s broken neck.

Owen pushed his way past me into the diner. I re-locked the front door and stepped in behind him. Jessi and Scarlett were already coming through the swinging door and into the dining area.

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