Page 56 of Between the Lines

Jesse shrugs. “I don’t know the guy. But you’re a pretty girl, Fia. Don’t be naive.”

My face reddens and I shake my head.

“Trust me,” I start with a self-deprecating chuckle. “Caden has zero interest in me outside of making sure he doesn’t lose his store manager.”

“How much do you owe him?” Jesse asks, and I bite my lip, hesitant to answer. He’ll find out eventually, I’m sure.

“Twelve thousand,” I say quietly.

Jesse doesn’t reply, but nods, lips in a tight line.

“It’s a lot of money, I know, but it’s important for me to do this myself.”

I don’t mention that it’s going to be a very tight squeeze on my budget. Or that it will take five years to pay him back at my current rate.

I can’t think about that right now.

“I get that, Fi. I really do.” His lips pull into a slight frown. Jesse’s been on his own since he was sixteen and fought for everything he has. He understands maybe better than anyone what it feels like to prove yourself.

I lead him out to the driveway, where he pulls me in for a tight hug with Daisy between us. His long arms could wrap twice around my frame.

He kisses my daughter’s head and hands her back to me before slipping on his helmet and kick-starting his bike.

“You call me,” Jesse shouts over the roar of the engine. “Any time, day or night. You hear me?”

I nod. “Thanks, love you, Jess.”

Daisy and I stand barefoot in the grass, waving at him as he drives away.

23

Caden

My skin makes contact with the punching bag’s worn leather again, and I grunt in between hits. The walls of my garage seem to be closing in tighter.

I’ve known him since we were kids.

So what, he’s a boyfriend, a hookup? Daisy’s father? I didn’t like the way he talked to her, like she was a punishable child. He seems too rough for her softness . . . not someone I would’ve pictured her with.

I punch the bag again, my eyes slipping past it to meet my disheveled reflection in the mirror.

Yeah, because you pictured yourself with her.

But I saw the way Daisy was at ease in his arms, like he was familiar with her, too. He and Fia didn’t kiss goodbye. They didn’t have to; their stance said it all. He stood there over her, protective.

I hit the black bag until my knuckles feel raw, my hair unruly as I guzzle cold water, leaning my head back against the wall.

She is your twenty-two-year-old employee. Get a hold of yourself.

I’m just the guy who helped her. That’s the way it has to be. To keep it safe for her, so she feels stable at work. And fuck, that sucks, but I’d do it again.

Once there’s not an ounce of energy left in me, I hit the shower. I throw gray sweatpants on, too exhausted for much else after the interview today, and make a quick dinner for one.

I fall onto the sofa and flip the TV on. A text comes through from Eddie as I mindlessly browse channels.

Eddie: The AC went out at her house today. Tried to troubleshoot the unit myself, but it’s old as dirt. Wanted to run it by you before reaching out to Fia.

I groan, leaning my head back against the sofa.