Page 95 of Jessica's Hero
Heat flares in his eyes. “I think that could be arranged.”
“So… we’re living together? For real?”
Kane cups my cheek. His gaze softens as he says, “We’re living together. And I’m going to make you so happy. I promise.”
My heart swells ten times its size.
All the crap I’ve been through fades away as I tell him, “I already am.”
CHAPTER 20
KANE
I never thought I’d need a degree in engineering just to put together a desk.
As I flip through the instruction book again, trying to decipher exactly how part G is supposed to connect to part V with only one bolt, I can’t help wondering if this is someone’s creative version of torture. If there’s an employee at the desk manufacturing company who’s unhappy with his job, so he intentionally makes the instructions as confusing as possible.
I can picture the guy, hunched over his computer in a little cubicle, cackling with glee as he mutters to himself,“Aha! No one will be able to figure out this one! Mission accomplished!”
It shouldn’t be this difficult. The desk should be put together by now. I’m not some idiot who doesn’t know how to use tools or complete a project. I used to help my dad fix stuff around the house, and after he died, I tookover all the repairs so my mom wouldn’t have to deal with it. I took geometry and pre-calc in college. I solve crimes as ajob. How can I not be able to put a stupid desk together?
With a huff of irritation, I set the instructions aside and scan the arrangement of screws and bolts set out across the floor. Then I look at the wooden pieces of deconstructed desk beside them. The cardboard box everything came in leans against the wall, taunting me with the image of a sleek desk with shelves and a neat keyboard drawer that looks nothing like the mess I have in front of me.
I could call Grant. He’d be happy to help. And being a contractor, I’m sure he could figure this out easily.
ButIwant to put it together. This is my project, after all, and it won’t mean as much if I ask someone else to do it for me. Especially when it’s something I’m doing especially for Jess—turning the third bedroom into her own office slash game room.
I’ve been at it for two weeks now, trying to sneak in time whenever Jess is sleeping. The idea came to me the day after she agreed to move in with me; as I tried to think of all the ways I could make my house feel more likeours. And creating a special space that was all her own so she could play her game, chat with her friend, Hazel, or work on journaling like her counselor suggested… It seemed like the perfect idea.
So I jumped online and started ordering everything I could think of. A fancy desk designed for gamers. Floor to ceiling bookshelves. A cozy couch for her to relax on. Special blinds that she can switch from blackout to sheer, depending on her mood.
And lots of blue, of course. A lush carpet in deep cobalt, thick enough for her feet to sink into. An accent wall painted in a pale sky blue. Framed abstract prints in a rainbow of blues. The softest cornflower throw draped across the back of the couch.
I know Jess doesn’t love surprises, but I think this will be the exception.
At least, I hope it is.
The desk is the last piece, so I’m eager to get it finished. IthoughtI’d be able to knock it out in an hour or two, take another hour to do the finishing touches, and be ready for the big reveal by the time she gets home.
Thoughtis the operative word.
But it’s nearly two and Jess should be wrapping up her coffee date with Nora right around now, which means the reveal isn’t going to happen today.
It’s not a big deal, in the scheme of things. But being so close, and with these stupid desk pieces just sitting here, mocking me…
On the plus side, at least my frustration with the desk has kept me from worrying about Jess the entire time she’s been gone. Instead, I’ve only been worrying about her about eighty percent of the time.
When she told me she was going to meet Nora today, Iwantedto ask her to wait. Reason with her. Remind her that it’s only been fifteen days since her concussion, and she still gets mild headaches when the light is too bright. That Nora could come here instead. Convince her to stay home so we could spend my day off together.
But I know she wants things to get back to normal. After taking two weeks off work, she’s been itching to get back, which makes me feel nauseous to even think about.Back to the place she was abducted from? Back to the place where she received that awful package?
And the worst part of it, not being at home where I know she’s safe.
Even though I had to go back to work three days after Jess’s abduction, I didn’t have to worry about her safety. Too much, at least. Not with all my friends offering to come over to stay with her while I was gone. They set up a rotation—Grant, Ian, Leo, and Nora—so Jess was never alone at the house. It wasn’t as good as being with her myself, but I knew she’d be well protected.
Knowing she’s with Nora is the only thing keeping me from driving over to Sleepless Nights to watch over her, which I know is hugely overprotective but I’m not sure I could help it. Not after those horrible hours when I didn’t know if Jess was alive. Not when I can’t erase the memory of finding her in that pit of water, bruised and bleeding and minutes from death.
Fuck.
