Page 55 of Between the Lines

Jesse shakes his head, lips still in a scowl. “You’re lucky Penny left for the bachelorette trip this morning and is out of town for an entire week.”

I push down the guilt at the mention of my sister. I’ve been avoiding her calls. Though I did text her a picture of Daisy and tell her to have a safe flight last night.

But this secret I’m keeping is all temporary.

Jesse stretches his legs and reaches for his keys in his pocket. “I’ll keep your secret, but I can’t promise your siblings won’t see the house on their own.”

“I know. I’m just praying the summer stays busy for them. I’m taking it one day at a time.” I shrug, knowing it’s a loose plan, really, but it’s all I got.

Jesse’s motorcycle key twirls on his finger. “One thing though.” His dark green eyes fix hard on mine. “I want to see where you’re living.”

I grumble but he doesn’t budge.

“If anything ever happened to you or Daisy, and I knew about all of this, your sister would kill me with her bare hands.”

“That’s fair.” I scrunch my nose at the image because he’s not wrong. “I need to pick up Daisy, then I can meet you there. I’ll text you the address.”

Jesse taps my shoulder and proceeds to his bike. As he’s starting it, the back door of Good Grinds swings open.

Caden steps out, lifting his head at me. He’s got his backpack and car keys, likely heading home. “You good out here?” he asks, and I offer a polite smile.

“All good,” I croak.

Caden’s Jeep is already parked in the driveway when Jesse pulls in behind me, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

I’m relieved.

Lush green grass surrounds us, the sounds of the city far gone—replaced with the sound of a breeze rushing through leafy trees.

“It’s nice. Stop looking around like you’re gonna rob the place,” I hiss, rolling my eyes at my sister’s boyfriend as I get Daisy from her car seat.

He smiles loosely at me, skepticism lingering on his face.

“This is where you’re living . . . for free, you said?” He lifts his chin towards the guesthouse, then follows me as we walk down the stone pathway.

“Yes, it is,” I reply over my shoulder, pushing open the front door. Hamburger skitters across the floor, hiding under the sofa when we step inside.

Jesse’s eyes roam around, landing on Daisy as she smiles and reaches up to him from my arms. He takes her, tossing her up. The house is filled with uncontrollable giggles from my toddler.

With her in the nook of his arm, Jesse walks around, peeping in all the rooms like a protective father. I stand in the kitchen waiting for him.

“Do you need to look in all the cabinets and closets, or are you satisfied?” I ask.

“Damn, you are Penny’s sister.” Jesse scoffs.

I scrunch my nose at him.

“Thank you for showing me. It’s very nice,” he muses.

“Why did you say it like that?” I cross my arms as Daisy touches the tattoos on Jesse’s neck with a pudgy little finger.

“I didn’t say it in any type of way. Just want you to be careful, okay?”

“Don't be cryptic.”

He cocks his head, shifting his weight uncomfortably. “Your boss obviously has money. So whether it’s a loan”—Jesse puts loan in air quotes, and my stomach clenches at his assumption—“or whatever, I just don’t want to see you getting taken advantage of.”

“You’re suggesting he has ulterior motives?” I rebut, my breathing slightly unsteady.