“Ally, what’s the matter?” Lana exclaimed as she rushed toward her. “Jesse told me to come out here and check on you. What did he do?”
“He didn’t do anything but make me see the truth.” Ally leaned into Lana, drawing strength from her motherly hold.
“I’m sorry sweetheart, but that looked like one amazing kiss,” she whispered in her ear as she stroked Ally’s hair away from her damp face.
“It was.” Ally wished with all she had she could go back and do it all over again. Ally would give everything up in a heartbeat just for one more day with Jesse the way they used to be when they were kids. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
“It’s my fault, Ally, I’m so sorry,” Lana said, her voice sounding suspiciously wobbly. “I thought that if I got you here without telling you who was hosting the party, you two would fall madly in love again. And when I saw you two kissing I thought I had done the right thing, even when I saw him pulling you outside. I didn’t realize he was coming out here to bring out the skeletons.”
“He didn’t. He wants me to break it off with Michael and try with him again.” Ally sat up and wiped her face. “It is your fault,” she huffed, “But thank you for trying. How did you know about the party though?”
“Jesse called me.” Lana’s face turned red, and she looked down. Her sister wasn’t typically a matchmaker, but maybe she’d called it wrong all this time.
“Jesse called you?” Ally frowned at the news and thought hard about why Jesse would do something like that.
“Yes, he invited you and me to the party. After hearing all your regrets, I couldn’t tell him no.”
Ally pondered what Lana was telling her. He really had wanted to see her again — the speech, the kiss… she smiled, but happiness didn’t come with it. Ally stood, ready to go home and think about everything, decide on how she really felt toward Jesse and what she was going to do about her relationship with Michael.
“Ally?” Lana called after her.
“Yeah?” she answered and turned to face her again.
“He still loves you, you know. I heard it in the speech tonight and the way he was only speaking to you when he said those words. It breaks my heart that you two haven’t work things out.”
“Me, too. But we will. I have to trust myself to do the right thing.”
“If you’re staying with Michael out of pity, you’re not being fair to either of them, Ally.”
Ally nodded without saying anything. Lana was right, but she had to do what was best for herself and living her life chasing the shadow of a friendship that could never be regained wasn’t right. Maybe they’d never get back that friendship, but what about starting over?
Ally walked back inside the house. The crowd had thinned and as Ally glanced at the clock, she saw that it was close to one. She went to the corner where she had left her jacket and purse and noticed it was no longer there. Frowning, Ally hoped someone hadn’t picked it up by mistake.
“Looking for this?” Jesse’s voice came from behind her. Ally closed her eyes and willed her heart to slow before she turned to face him. Her eyes stung from crying and she didn’t want him to see her upset. He would start thinking she was depressed or something. She didn’t want him to know he affected her this way.
“Yes,” she said and turned. Seeing the torment clearly in his stance, she looked quickly away. She didn’t want to feel sympathy for him. Didn’t want to remember that she was what had caused her happy, loving Jesse to turn so cold toward her.
“Ally,” he began, taking a step toward her.
“I’ve got to go. It’s late. Could I have my things please?” To her horror, her voice shook again and she looked away, hating herself more as the seconds ticked by.
He hesitated before he handed her the purse and jacket. He finally stepped back and looked to the ground, nodding. “Good night, Ally.” His words were soft and unsure. Ally couldn’t help but look at him again, thrusting her chin upward in defiance.
“Goodnight.”
“Be safe. We still don’t have anyone in custody yet.”
“I will.”
A long moment of silence stretched between them before he spoke softly. “I can’t lose you again, Ally.”
With a small nod, she strode passed him.
At least they agreed on one thing.
Chapter 4
Lucky breathed over Jesse’s shoulder, watching the stats on their new suspect come up on the computer screen.
“It’s not him,” Jesse said with certainty.
“What makes you so sure? He fits Ally’s description.”
“A thousand men in this town fit Ally’s description.” Frustrated, Jesse threw his pencil across his desk. “It’s not him. This is the guy with a rock solid alibi.”
“Alibi’s can be bought,” Lucky sneered. “What’s wrong with you today, anyway? Lana told me you and Ally had it out, but I didn’t think you’d let that bleed into your job.”
Jesse shot him a penitent look. “You know it’s hard, man. I can’t stop thinking about her. I think we both need closure.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Or a second shot. And I’m aiming for the latter.”
“Really. I know a little bit about those. If you need my advice, let me know. But I think you can handle her. She’s a good girl, and you guys would be happy together if you can get past whatever broke you two up the first time.”
“I proposed to her,” Jesse blurted.
“Whoa.”
“Yeah. When I was on my way back to college in New York, the summer after she graduated high school, I asked her to marry me.”
“Clearly she didn’t. What happened?”
“I wrote a note and left the ring. Told her not to open it until after I was gone. I asked her to meet me at the airport, wearing my ring.” Jesse chanced a glance at Lucky, whose eyebrows rose. “I was a romantic back then. Shut up.”
“And…?” Lucky encouraged.
“She never showed up. And until she walked into the station last week to report a murder, I hadn’t talked to her. I avoided her for six months after I moved back here, and then one little slip, and I’m back where I left off.”
Lucky rested a kind hand on his shoulder. “You both will be fine. I know how easy it is to fall in love with a Roche woman, and I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
“Think I could take an early break?” Jesse knew he might be pushing it, and this murder wasn’t going to solve itself, but he had to see her again. Maybe he’d take her out to lunch before Michael got back in town.
“Sure. But let’s not make a habit of it until this murder is solved.”
“Deal.”
Grabbing his jacket and his hat, he left a trail of smoke in his wake.
****
Ally was still in her pajamas when the knock at the door sounded. Shuffling past the toys on the floor and Lily’s sippy cup, she pulled the door wide and then groaned when she saw Jesse standing there.
“Seriously?” She propped her hands on her hips and angled her gaze his way.
“Yup. Let’s have lunch.”
“I can’t.”
“Sure you can. Get some clothes on and let’s go.”
“I haven’t had a shower.” She lifted her greasy hair and let it fall limp.
“I should have called, huh? Can I get something and bring it back here? I just want to spend some time with you.”
Ally eyed him carefully, trying to figure out if he was smooth talking her or genuinely wanted to see her. But she promptly decided she had no idea what he was doing.
“Um…”
“Red Dragon Chinese?”
And there were the magic words. Without even thinking about it, Ally nodded and then laughed at his knowing smile.
“I’ll be back in fifteen.”
He jogged back to his car. Ally watched with what felt like a stupid grin across her face as his lithe body got in the car and drove away.
“Was that Jesse?” Lana called from
the kitchen.
“Yup. He’s going to get lunch.”
“Could I get you a shower to go with a side of perfume?” Lana called.
Turning with a squeal, Ally avoided the toys and sippy cups and ran up the stairs. She had to look presentable when he got back.
****
Jesse waited in the living room with sweet and sour chicken and enough rice to feed an army. Lana and Lily were in the kitchen, eating their own lunch. Lana’s voiced carried as she talked to Lily, and the toddler’s voice answering back caused him to smile.
Jesse only knew a few of the details from Lily’s kidnapping, but he knew if it had been his kid taken by a psychopath, he probably couldn’t have held it together long enough to find her. He respected Lucky and his ability to concentrate and get the job done. Jesse was still learning that particular skill. Especially after his stint in New York.
Lana appeared from around the corner, her dark curls clipped at the sides and Lily drinking some juice from a sippy cup. Lana grinned.
“I’m glad you came to see her.”
“Thank you for letting me.” He glanced to the stairwell, willing her to come down. He didn’t want a big sister talk.
“She might not know it, Jesse, but she still loves you.”
He cleared his throat and leaned forward, studying his nails. “It’s what we’re trying to figure out, ma’am.”
“Oh no, you just ma’am’d. I think that means I need to shut up.”
Jesse chuckled and sat up again. “You’re just the big sister who’s worried. I understand.”
Lana studied him for a moment before bending to retrieve the sippy cup Lily threw into the floor. “Lily and I are going upstairs for nap time. We won’t be down for a few hours, so enjoy your time with Ally.”
Jesse grinned at Lana’s not to subtle comment and nodded at her. “Will do, ma’am.”
With a long-suffering sigh, she headed upstairs with Lily and closed the door behind her. He was alone with his thoughts.
He’d told Ally he was going to shadow her, pester her until she gave him some idea of what was going to happen between them. But first and foremost, Michael had to be out of the picture. His conscience just didn’t allow him to continue kissing another man’s girl, even if that girl rightfully belonged to him. However, that didn’t mean that he couldn’t persuade her a little further. She did need continuous reminders that he was the better choice.
As her soft footsteps came down the stairs, he stood and tugged at his clothes. Then she was in sight, freshly scrubbed clean and hair wet around her shoulders. She’d never looked more beautiful to him.
Not allowing his might to talk his heart out of it, he caught her as she walked up to him and pressed his lips against hers. He didn’t expect her compliance, but he also didn’t take it for granted. Instead, he spun her around the living room and kissed her deep, not leaving a single sliver of her mouth untouched by his tongue. Her moan encouraged him, but he remembered the baby upstairs and the boyfriend waiting in the wings.
He couldn’t be inappropriate when this wasn’t Ally’s house. He wanted to be the respectful guy his mother had raised.
“Hello to you, too,” she said a little breathy.
“I’ve missed you.”
“You just saw me two days ago,” she said, a pretty blush rising on her cheeks. Jesse smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets to keep himself from grabbing her again. It was probably best not to maul her when he was trying to persuade her to give him another shot.
“Two days too long.”
“Where’s the food?” She rubbed her hands together and looked around him. She gave a delighted little oh when she saw the bag. She whizzed past him and took a seat at the table, not bothering to wait. That was something he loved about her. There were no pretenses between them. And the girl loved to eat. He’d dated too many women up north who hated to pig out in front of him, leaving him to feel like an idiot after he’d gone back for seconds. But they were southerners, and eating was one of the things they did best.
He observed her for a moment, her hair falling soft, damp waves against her back, her slim arms lifting the food out of the bag, her bare toes with pink tips peeking out from her pajama pants.
Another thing he loved about her. She’d just taken a shower but yet she was back in her pajamas. Even after she knew he was coming back to see her. And something about her wearing a t-shirt and flannel pants was far more seductive in that moment than a sheer nightie would be, although he’d like to see one of those on her too.
“Come eat!” she called and tossed a smile over her shoulder.
He complied. One thing was certain. He was starved.
“Go out with me tomorrow night,” he blurted. He’d intended to warm her up to the idea, sneak a few more kisses in to help persuade her. But, being the suave and debonair idiot he was, he laid it all on the line within a matter of minutes.
Again, she narrowed her gaze over her shoulder, her cheek resting innocently there as her lips twitched. “Is that such a good idea?”
“I think it’s the best one I’ve had in a long time, actually.”
She looked back to the food. “I… I don’t know, Jesse. Michael’s not back yet. Do we really want people gossiping before I talk with him?”
“So you’re going to do it? You’re going to get rid of him?”
She sighed. “No, I’m not just going to get rid of him, Jesse. He deserves to know the truth, and I’m going to give it to him straight.”
With a few steps forward, he encircled her waist with his hands and bent close to her ear. “What’s the truth, Ally?”
Her head-shake was barely perceptible. “I don’t know. Just because we can’t stop mauling each other doesn’t equal a lifelong love. Yes, I’ve regretted every minute since I let you walk away, but that was a long time ago, and we’re different people. What we did… what happened changed us, Jesse. I know I did anyway.”
Jesse bent to kiss the curve of her neck. She smelled like vanilla and some exotic flower he couldn’t name. “I changed, too, Ally. But I like to think that it’s for the better, and I won’t make the same mistakes twice. And letting you go was a mistake.” When she didn’t immediately answer, he kissed her again, softly but he lingered, his breath caressing her skin as goose bumps rose along her shoulders. “What’s the truth, Ally?”
“You’re my truth. You always have been. Ever since we were little kids.”
“Are you going to tell Mikey that?”
“I think I have to.” Slowly she turned to face him. Her eyes settled on his lips. “You know how to confuse me just enough to feel like an idiot, you know that?”
His lips tilted until he smiled. “I guess that makes two of us.”
“I think…” She licked her lips and her brown eyes settled on his. “I don’t think I trust you anymore, Jesse. I know I hurt you, but you lied to me when you said it wouldn’t change things if I didn’t come. I honestly didn’t think you would wait so long to talk to me again. I’m afraid if I say the wrong thing to do something to upset you, you’ll stop talking to me again.”
“I’m not going anywhere, baby. Not this time.” He took her hands and squeezed. “Maybe I can earn your trust back and maybe I can’t. But we won’t ever know until we try.”
“Michael gets home Sunday night. I’ll tell him then.”
Carefully, Jesse framed her face with his hands. He tried to ignore the thumping of his heart, but it was near impossible with her this close, with their future together finally within reach. Her breath was sweet on his lips and he reached forward and pressed his mouth against hers. It was funny how the passage of time hadn’t erased the feel of her. She still felt exactly the way he remembered only with more curves. More woman.
Warm.
Sweet.
Soft.
No. He wouldn’t mess things up this time. There was no doubt in his mind now that this was right. He’d gone through every second since she’d left him there so the
y could get to this moment. Maybe if they had stayed together then, they wouldn’t be where they were now. They could have grown apart. Or worse, decided they weren’t compatible at all. Regardless of what that path might have led them to, they were on a different one now.
One he was determined to see through until the end.
Chapter 5
Sirens blared. Lights flashed. Adrenaline rushed.
Jesse Richards chased hot on the tail of a familiar white Honda.
“Pull over now, or I’ll shoot your tires,” Jesse announced over his loud speaker. His voice may or may not have held a hint of amusement in it. What would the old man’s excuse be this time?
The car weaved over the double yellow line on the two-way street, and the brake lights angrily glared at him in the near darkness of sunset. He screeched to a halt behind the car and un-holstered his gun just for show.
The familiar white-haired, scrawny man, wrinkled with age opened the door and moved at an impossible speed toward him. Lucky was out of his patrol car in a flash.
“Mr. Roche!” Jesse moaned and put his gun away, standing carefully behind the shield of his car door.
Fear shone in the old man’s eyes and he held his hands up as if to surrender, but instead they clamped on his shoulders.
“Mr. Roche!” Jesse said again.
“Jesse! Ellie Mayberry just called me to tell me she’s fallen and can’t get up!”
Jesse tried really hard to keep his mouth from turning into a smile, but the second Mr. Roche’s eyes met his, he could see he was seriously afraid for the woman.
“Get in your car Mr. Roche and I’ll follow you to Ellie’s house. If she’s indeed on the floor, I won’t ticket you.”
“Thank you, Jesse. Just follow me.”
“Sir?” Jesse said, turning to smile at the man who was like a father to him.
“Yes?”
“Hand over your cell phone, please.”
“Now why would I do that?”
“Because you have a reputation and I wouldn’t put it past you to call her and tell her to slip a hip.”
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