Page 77 of Fighting For You
Her chest rose sharply on an inhale. “You… you were rude to me because fighting with me was better than nothing?”
It scratched the surface. “Yes, in a way. I know it’s messed up, but it’s how it happened. And I’m sorry for my part in this—all of it.”
She rose on her toes and pressed a searing kiss to mylips. Before I could deepen it and let it spin out, she stepped back.
“I’m sorry, too. For all of it.”
Another sweet, soft, far too quick kiss, and then she gave me a smile that made me want to beg.
Instead, I tipped my forehead against hers and said, “Just to be clear, so there’s nothing between us, I should clarify I am not at all sorry for reporting Kurt.” I hated saying his name, but I wouldn’t bend on that.
Her lips pressed together for a minute before she loosed her smile. “I can genuinely say I’m not either.”
She left not long after. I stopped myself from asking her to stay for a movie because we both had another long day coming, and we both knew we wouldn’t watch a minute of anything on screen. She seemed less unsure, but I wanted that fiery confidence—in herself and in me. In us.
I had to believe it could come.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Jess
Guac was buzzing with energy even at two in the afternoon. Normally, an October Sunday afternoon would mean Silverton was quiet, but the festival continued and so did the crowds. People came for the celebrities, the films being shown, and even the gorgeous fall colors that’d thankfully survived the snow and would draw a trickle of tourism after the festival ended, or so all the local businesses hoped.
I didn’t hate the buzzing energy in town, especially since it meant all my friends’ small businesses were flourishing. During our chips, salsa, and guac course, Elise reported she’d sold out of donuts every day before nine in the morning and her maple and pumpkin spice flavors had both disappeared long before that. Jo shared similarly positive news for All Booked Up’s sales, and Catherine, though she didn’t own Diner, confirmed they’d been slammed.
Saint Security certainly benefited since we were all working non-stop. We’d end up with some nice bonuses at Christmas thanks to all the business this year since even guarding Jack and a few others last year yielded a sizeable check and this year we had even more clientele.
“Are you exhausted yet, though? I feel like you went from one assignment to being sick in Beast’s cabin to jumping in and working twenty-four-seven. I swear I’ve hardly seen Adam.” Jo’s mournful eyes were adorable as she waited for my response.
Winnie jumped in to confirm. “I’m stealing my time with Tristan when I can get it, but I won’t be sorry to see the festival end.”
Nikki nodded. “Same. Bruce is wound pretty tight since they are in charge of all of the security. Seems like it’s going relatively well, though.”
“I’m fine. It’s busy but I’m still finding moments of humanity, which is all I can ask for.”
Elise jumped on that. “Please describe what you mean.”
Dove gasped. “Are you blushing?” She turned her wide blue eyes to the rest of the table. “Guys, she’s blushing.”
“Okay so this is likesexymoments then?” Elise asked.
I chuckled while Jo added, “I mean, I feel like there have been developments we need to be made aware of… am I right?”
The minimal updates I’d given them were just that—basic information about how I’d made tentative peace with Beast, and then we’d had breakfast since I couldn’t very well expect Catherine not to comment on it in the group text… but I hadn’t mentioned last night.
Part of me had wanted to see how it went, and part of me knew how it would. Granted, there was a not small contingent of my imagination that had expected to wake upin his bed this morning, so maybe I wasn’t ready to acknowledge that ahead of time.
And now that he’d hit the brakes effectively enough, I was glad I hadn’t said anything to them.
“Jess? Hello? Did he hypnotize you with his nonverbal grunts and gigantic muscles?” Dove asked.
I cackled. “Wow, you have such a lovely picture of him.”
Catherine tutted. “Come on. He’s a sweetheart.”
Everyone giggled in response.
“I’m not sure I’d call him a sweetheart, but I love that you guys are friends.” Affection swelled for her and Jude.
