Page 63 of Jessica's Hero
As the car slows again, Kane’s lips brush my cheek. “I’d like to take you home and try out the blindfold now. But this surprise; it’s something I can’t postpone. So we’ll have to wait a few hours, at least.”
Right. The surprise.
I’ve been working through ideas all day, trying to guess what Kane has planned. Dinner at one of the nicer restaurants in Sleepy Hollow, which wouldn’t be bad, but seems a little too normal to be considered a surprise. Some kind of chef’s table type thing, where we sit in the kitchen and watch the food cooked in front of us? Or maybe an overnight stay at a hotel, complete with massages and room service?
None of those options sound bad. Far from it. It’s the not knowing that really gets to me. The anxious twistingin my gut that accompanies the reminder that anywhere in Sleepy Hollow, I run the risk of seeing someone who can ruin my night with just a few cutting words.
The car slows once more, and this time, a cold blast of air comes along with it. Kane speaks into what must be an intercom as he says, “It’s Kane and Jess. Do you want to see our identification?”
A familiar voice rumbles through, though it takes me a second to place it. “Of course not. I can see you guys on the camera. Come on in.”
Cash. That’s who it is. Puzzle pieces slot together as we pull forward again. “Are we at Ari and Cash’s house?” I ask. “It’s not Monday night. So I know it’s not to watchThe Bachelor.”
“It’s not to watchThe Bachelor,” Kane agrees. “But yes, we’re at Cash and Ari’s place.”
“Are we having dinner with Ari and Thea? Is that it?”
“Jess.” Even though I can’t see him, I can tell he’s smiling. “It’s a surprise. If I tell you, that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?”
Before I can stop myself, I admit quietly, “Surprises make me a little nervous. I haven’t had very many good ones.”
Kane pulls the car to a stop and puts it in park. Then he takes both my hands in his. “Jess.” Regret laces his tone. “Why didn’t you tell me before? I wouldn’t have?—”
“It’s fine,” I interject. “It’s not a big deal. Forget I said anything.”
He carefully removes the blindfold from my eyes, and the first thing I see is his concerned expression. “I’m not going to forget it. I always want to know how you’re feeling.”
Something Nora told me during our last coffee date comes back to mind.“It was hard, opening up about things I thought might upset Jack,”she said.“But then I realized not telling him was far worse. Because then he didn’t know how to help me. And I knew if the positions were reversed, I’d want to know.”
“You’re right.” I lean forward to give him a soft kiss. “I should have said something. But,” I add as he opens his mouth to respond, “it’s not because of you that I get nervous about surprises. And I trust you. So I’m sure it’s going to be fine.”
“It will.” Kane unfastens his seatbelt and pockets his keys, then puts his hand on the door handle. “I really think you’ll like this. If you don’t, we’ll leave. No problem. And next time, no surprises. Okay?” He pauses. “Do you want to know now? Before we go in?”
“No, that’s alright.” I already feel bad about putting a damper on his surprise. “Now that we’re here, I’m excited to find out what you planned.”
His face lights up. “I hope you like it, at least.”
As we walk towards the entrance to the house, Kane gathers me against his side, pressing light kisses to the top of my head. Despite the below-freezing temperature and the snow falling on my face, I don’t feel a bit of it, thanks to the reassuring warmth of his body.
“Did I mention how beautiful you look?” he asks just before we arrive at the front door. “Because you do.”
I glance down at my cranberry-colored sweater flecked with threads of gold, barely visible beneath my marshmallow puffer jacket. The sweater reveals more of my neck than I’d normally prefer, but once I saw Kane’seyes pop as I tried it on for him, I knew I had to wear it. “I’m not really dressed up, though. I hope that’s okay.”
“As if I am?” He grins, making a sweeping gesture at his North Face jacket and dark blue jeans. “This isn’t a dressy thing. I promise. And you look perfect. The color brings out the pink in your cheeks, and the gold in it reminds me of the gold in your eyes.”
My heart makes an uneven thud in my chest. “You look pretty handsome, too.”
Not that he doesn’t always look handsome. In his uniform, jeans and a sweater, the sweats he wears to lounge around the house, and my favorite, naked, all his muscles on full display.
An almost shy smile curves Kane’s lips. “I’m glad you think so.”
A beat later, the front door swings open, revealing a beaming Ari standing before it. “Jess,” she exclaims in a happy tone. “You’re here.” Then she pulls me into a quick hug. “Everyone’s been waiting for you.”
Kane clears his throat. “What about me? Am I chopped liver?” But he’s smiling as he says it, clearly unbothered.
Ari grins at him. “It’s good to see you, too, Kane.” She gives him a lightning fast hug. “Now, get in here. Warm up.”
From behind her, Cash approaches, a broad smile on his face. “Hey, guys. Good to see you.” He holds out a hand to us. “Give me your coats. I’ll put them in the coatroom. Just down the hall, past the solarium, in case you forgot.”
