Page 118 of The Convict Gets His Girl

"The town welcoming committee strikes again," Chase said, his raised brows making it seem like a question although his tone said otherwise.

She answered him anyway as she grabbed a glass of water. "Apparently we're getting meals delivered every day this week, courtesy of the church ladies."

Raul chuckled from the sink where he was washing dishes. "Small-town life, huh?"

Chase raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"More than I expected," Raul admitted. "It's different from the city."

Jewel leaned against the counter, watching them. The domesticity of the moment wasn't lost on her. She'd never thought to be roommates with two men, but they were now integral parts of her daily routine. Raul, working on renovations. Chase, healing and planning for the rehabilitation center while working on the computer managing investments and working for Lola.

Chase chuckled. "Sounds about right. Small towns don't miss a chance to feed folks going through something."

Raul dried his hands. "I'll help with cleanup and moving this weekend. Destini's going to need support settling in."

"Thanks," Jewel said, appreciating how seamlessly Raul had jumped in to help. The two men talked like brothers, bonded through trauma and pain that she'd never understand.

Raul paused, then said, "I asked Landry if he knew of anywhere I can stay for cheap while getting back on my feet. He suggested I ask Parker if I could rent a room from him. When Destini moves in, I'll move in with Parker."

Chase frowned. "You don't have to do that."

Raul held both hands up, palms out. "Hey, man, I get it. Y'all are a new family and need the time to bond without me being underfoot. This will work for us all, and I can swing by and help on the barn in between work for Landry."

Jewel watched the exchange between Chase and Raul. She knew Raul wasn't just looking for a place to stay but seeking a sense of belonging after everything he'd been through. It was what Chase had done too, and part of her wondered if he had leaped at the chance to live with her and Destini just for that sense of belonging.

Perhaps she was just reading him and hoping he loved her, but maybe he just wanted to belong. Maybe he didn't love her at all.

These were men who had been through hell, who understood each other in ways most people never would, and she couldn't even begin to guess what Chase was feeling.

Chase nodded, his gaze softening as the friend's exchanged a look. "We're not kicking you out. You've been crucial in getting this place fixed up so quickly."

"Give yourself some credit for all you did last week. This place still smells like furniture polish." Raul smiled, a genuine expression that transformed his usually guarded features. "I know what you mean, but families need space, especially new ones finding their footing."

The mention of family hung in the air, weighted with meaning. Chase and Jewel exchanged a look—part uncertainty, part growing connection, part… love?

Her heart raced at the idea, making her palms itch. If he did love her, she wouldn't mind it.

Chase smiled as he turned back to Raul, a peace and contentment in his eye despite the lingering pain that kept his lips tense. "Fair enough, but I want you to know you're always welcome here. I'll help you move your stuff this weekend."

Raul chuckled. "You can barely move period. I'll be fine, considering I've got just a backpack or two of clothes. You focus on your daughter and family."

The word echoed again as Raul went to the living room to put on a movie. Chase grunted and used the table to stand, and she went to his side to help.

"Do you want to watch a movie with him? Do you need more pills?" she asked.

He growled, swooping in for a kiss that took her by surprise. She lost all ability to breathe, the slide of his tongue sending a tingle up her spine.

It was over way too quickly, and she touched her lips. "What was that for?"

He grinned, looking way too dangerously handsome with his black eye and five o'clock shadow. "Can't a guy just kiss his girl when he feels the need?"

She lost the ability to breathe for the second time in as many minutes.She was his girl. This was the first time either of them had even come close to voicing it aloud.

Yet, she didn't argue. A soft smile played on her lips that she tried to suppress but couldn't even long after they curled up together in bed for the night. Perhaps she was more exhausted from moving the boxes from her dad's to the new house than she thought because she was asleep before Chase could even make a move.

She was more lethargic than usual the next morning, and she made note that her Lyme was acting up. She'd have to be on top of her diet and sleep the next few days. As expected, the headache hit before lunch and lingered along with pain in her hands and ankles.

But when she came home from work that evening, she found Parker hauling boxes into the house from an SUV. She paused, meeting him on the front porch. "What's all this?"

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