Page 16 of Jessica's Hero
Great?What kind of answer is that?
But Kane replies right away.
How about Tuesday? I’m done with work around four, so I could pick you up at six if that’s not too late. And since you’re going to Shea’s tomorrow, I’ll ask Oliver to pick you up and bring you home. So he can check out the house. I’d do it myself, but since you’re already going to be there, it makes more sense.
Warmth expands in my chest, a balloon filling close to bursting.
A date. With Kane. Not only that, but he cares enough to ask his partner to bring me home tomorrow. He’d even do it himself.
As I look at the screen, smiling at Kane’s message, I catch a glimpse of the scars on my neck and jaw.
The happy balloon threatens to burst.
That heavy feeling of never being good enough settles over me, making me wonder if I’m just kidding myself. If Kane’s really just being nice, and this date is all in myhead. If I’m just setting myself up for disappointment again.
Just as I’m contemplating an excuse to get out of it, Kane sends another text.
What am I saying? I’ll bring you to Shea’s and pick you up. Is that okay? Not that I don’t trust Oliver, but I’d rather check your house out myself.
OH.
Tears spring to my eyes, but for the first time I can remember, they’re happy ones.
Maybe it reallyisa date.
And maybe, just maybe, Kane’s actually interested in me.
CHAPTER 4
KANE
I think I was half expecting Jess to cancel on me today.
When I asked her out on Sunday, she seemed into the idea. But by the time I brought her home from Shea’s yesterday evening, she was already offering me an out.
“If you’re too busy,” she said in that quiet, uncertain voice she gets sometimes, “I understand if you’d rather reschedule. I’m sure you’re tired after your shift, and you might just want to go home instead.”
I’m not sure why she thought I’d already changed my mind about our date. Or why I’d want to.
Then I flipped the question back on her, asking ifshewas having second thoughts about going.
As I watched her cheeks turn bright pink as she fumbled for a response, I felt a flash of rare insecurity.
Maybe she didn’t want to go out with me. Maybe I’ve been reading her right all along and she’s not interested in dating at all. Maybe the vibe I got over the weekend fromJess, with her shy looks and soft smiles and the tentative hug she gave me on Saturday were just her attempts at being polite, and not a sign of interest, like I thought they were.
I’ve never thought about a womannotwanting to go out with me before. Not because I think I’m God’s gift to women, though I’d be blind not to notice the interest I get when I go out in town. But Sleepy Hollow is a small town and there’s not a whole lot of competition. Plus, for some reason, women seem to like the whole man-in-a-uniform thing.
But the main reason I never gave much consideration to being turned down for a date was because I didn’t really care that much. The rejection might sting for a second, and I might wonder if my red hair—auburn, my mom always insists—could have been a turn off.
Which is weird. I don’t know why anyone would care what color it is, but whatever. It’s my hair. And I have no plans on changing it.
With Jess, though? I really wantto go out with her. I have ever since we talked at the Halloween Fest, when I couldn’t stop staring at her lips and thinking about kissing her. I just never thought she might want to until this past weekend.
And then while we were texting on Sunday morning and she offered to show me her game, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. Dinner and learning about something Jess loves? Getting to spend time with the woman who’s fascinated me for months? I hadto ask.
If I’m being honest with myself, I’m more excited about this date than any other.
So it was a relief when Jess finally answered myquestion, giving me a small smile as she said, “Of course I haven’t changed my mind. I just wanted to make sure you still wanted to go.”
