Page 127 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Had he backed off because of Destini? Were they just going to be roommates until Destini moved out for college? Then what would happen to them?

And the biggest question of all… Did the lack of sex mean he wasn't in love with her after all?

Jewel watched the clock hands inch closer to six, feeling the day's tension knotting between her shoulder blades. The longer it went without the physical aspect of their relationship, the more she came to question whether he loved her or not. It made her jaw clench, driving her lingering headache higher.

As she pushed through the front door of their home, the savory scent of roasted chicken and herbs wafted towards her, a stark contrast to the chaos of her workday and emotions.

"Hey," Chase called out from the kitchen, his voice warm. "We're in here."

"Hi," Jewel replied, slipping off her shoes and padding toward the sound of his voice. She leaned against the doorway, watching him place the dinner plates on the table, his movements precise and caring, less stiff after a week and a half of healing. The bruising remained on his eye, but she wouldn't admit that it made him even more appealing.

On the opposite side of the table, Destini sat, her brows knitted together, the usual spark in her eyes dimmed as she typed on her laptop.

"Everything okay?" Jewel asked, directing her question to her daughter while taking her usual seat next to Chase.

Destini glanced up, forcing a smile that failed to reach her eyes. "Yeah, just got an email from NASA. They didn't approve my application."

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry," Jewel said, laying her hand on Destini's. Her daughter squeezed her fingers with a sigh that was too grown up and world-weary, then she shut the laptop and set it aside.

"It's alright. It's for the best. Now I can focus on becoming valedictorian here. I aced my science test today."

Jewel pursed her lips as she scooped food onto her plate from the dishes on the table. Of course, Destini wanted to be valedictorian. Why hadn't she thought of that as an argument to get her to move sooner? Ugh, stupid brain fog.

Jewel passed Chase the serving spoon and said, "Sounds like you had a good day then, despite the setback. Because that's all that denial email is—a setback. It's not a no forever, but a?—"

"No right now. I know, Mom," Destini murmured, poking at the food on her plate but not really eating much.

Jewel turned to Chase and turned the topic to the horse she'd brought home a few days ago from the backyard breeder. "How's Whiskey today?"

Chase winced and frowned. "He's settled down a little. I took him to the school for pickup today. Destini rode him home."

That wasn't their original plan. Chase was going to ask Raul if he'd drive them. Jewel's brows rose, her gaze flying to her daughter, who hunched her shoulders even more.

"Oh? And how did that go?" Jewel prompted.

"He's a good horse. Just spirited enough not to be boring, but easy to ride," Destini mumbled, shoving a piece of chicken into her mouth.

Jewel glanced at Chase and opened her mouth to ask more, but he shook his and mouthed silently, "Later."

Her jaw snapped shut, and they continued eating in tense silence.

"How was work today?" Chase asked her. Jewel shared what stories she could, her chest tight at the inability to save a little girl's pet lizard. She just wasn't as familiar with that type of animal, and they'd brought him in too late.

He slid his hand to her knee, offering silent support as she sighed in defeat. A shiver of awareness went through her at his touch, sending hope that maybe he still wanted her.

He squeezed, then released her knee. A stab of disappointment went through her.

Then again, maybe not. They'd first gotten back together because of the need for comfort. Perhaps that's all they were. Comfort fuck buddies. The thought left a frustrated, bitter taste in her mouth that made her appetite disappear.

When dinner was done, Destini stood and collected the dishes. "I'll do these. You guys go relax or whatever."

"Thanks, sweetie," Jewel said, watching her daughter retreat to the sink. "Are we still on for family movie night?"

Destini nodded, not even looking up. "Sure, whatever y'all want is fine. I'll make popcorn."

She exchanged a look with Chase, both sharing an unspoken worry. She followed him to the living room where they settled onto the couch, the familiar weight of the day falling away as they found comfort in each other's presence. There was no hand holding, no overt affection, just two souls seeking solace beside one another.

The memory of the night of Halloween, the passion that he'd let peak through, gave her hope for more.

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