“Jesse...” She says my name on a whisper, calling my tired gaze right back to hers. “You’re worried I might think less of you? Because you’re behind on your paperwork?”
I lift a shoulder. “Maybe it’s more than that.”
“Tell me.”
Fuck. She has no idea how badly I want to. How badly I want to tell her that everything I do, I do for her and for Jett.
But these past few months have been hard. Not as hard as the early days when I first took the company over, but they’ve tested me just the same. Somehow, I’ve kept my head above water, but some days I’ve downright floundered and showing Hayden my shortcomings when all I’ve ever wanted was to make her proud…
It feels like I’m jumping into dark water without a life jacket, knowing that she could do one of two things—condemn my inability to swim or be the lifeline I so desperately need.
“Are you worried I might realize you’re not perfect?” she says, sliding her hand across the counter to cover mine. “Because I hate to break it to you, frat boy, but none of us are.”
Her words hit me square in the chest, but it’s the tenderness of her touch that has my heart racing. “You’re a pretty perfect mom, Hay.”
“Not even close.” Her fingers curl around mine, squeezing gently. “One of the things I like so much about our friendship is that we don’t judge each other, and I don’t plan on changing that anytime—”
“I’m drowning.” I pull my hand away from hers and scrub it down my face. Dammit, I’m weak for this girl. “I’m short staffed and I can’t get people in the door fast enough. Work is coming at me from all directions and I can’t catch my fucking breath. I should be at the office right now, getting my shit straight, but I’m just… I’m too fucking tired.”
“Jesse…” She’s at my side in a second, warm fingers wrapping around my arm and tugging it down so she can move in close. “Let me help you,” she says again, concerned eyes shining up at me.
This close, I can see the freckles across the bridge of her nose and smell her coconut shampoo. I can also feel every breath she takes as her belly presses against the outside of my thigh.
She’s close, but, dammit, she isn’t close enough.
I twist the stool and she steps into the V of my legs without hesitation, her arms looping up and around my shoulders while her chest lifts to mine. My own arms curl around her waist, and I give in and bury my face in her neck, inhaling as much of her as I can.
I remember telling her once that I wanted to live between her legs, but if I’m honest, this is where it’s at. Just holding her close and breathing her in and just fucking being… with her.
When her fingers feather against the skin at the back of my neck and then into my hair, I shiver, my hold on her tightening.
“Let me help you,” she pleads. “I know you’d do it for me.”
“I don’t want to take advantage…” In more ways than one.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She pulls back just enough to see my face and the urge to kiss her is strong.
“I’ll pay you,” I say instead.
“No. I’ll mooch your Wi-Fi and we’ll call it good.”
“Hayden…”
“Jesse,” she counters, eyebrows raised. “Do we have a deal or not?”
I should turn her down and draw a firm line in the sand, but something tells me she would show up at my office anyway.
“I’ll see if my mom can watch Jett,” I sigh, and Hayden presses her lips into a pleased smile.
“Best decision you ever made, frat boy.”
Nah, baby, my best decision was you.
Chapter 20
JESSE
“So, are we canceling the interviews for office help?”
That’s my mother’s greeting as soon as Jett and I walk through her door the next morning. She hands me a container of warm muffins in exchange for Jett’s backpack.
“She’s only helping for a couple of days.” At least, that’s all the time I plan on letting her put in. She has her own shit to do. Like find a new place to live, get her shit out of Lane’s house, and get on with her life in Green Bay. “I’m going to ask if she can sit on the interview panel, though.”
Mom smiles as she tucks Jett against her side. “That’s a great idea. She has a solid head on her shoulders. I trust her.”
So do I. More than most. “I’m not sure how long she plans to work today. She has some things to do for her own job, too, but I’m sure she’ll let you know when she plans to come by for him.” At that, I squat in front of my boy. “Be extra good for Grammy today, okay? Maybe we’ll go out for ice cream the next time you come and stay with me.”
He flashes a cheeky grin. “I’m a good boy, Daddy.”
The kid isn’t lying, either. Somehow, Hayden and I lucked out. He’s probably going to be hell on wheels as a teenager, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I give him a quick squeeze, say goodbye, and head to the office, hoping to beat Hayden there. I won’t be able to do much in the few minutes I may have before she arrives, but I sure as hell plan to try. As grateful as I am for her help, I’m just as mortified for her to see what a mess I’ve made.
For almost five years, her opinion of me has been one of, if not the, most important. I’ve worked hard to assure her that I’m a good guy and that I’m an even better dad to Jett. Letting her see my biggest shortcoming goes against all of that. But at the same time, there’s no one I trust more outside of my family right now.
“Shit.” I turn into Enders Excavating’s front lot to see her standing outside of her car with two cups of coffee from Bobbie Jean’s. She’s wearing a pair of those tight, white Capri pants that always make her ass look amazing and a sleeveless peach top that’s cut low in the front. Her hair is down, flowing in golden waves almost to her elbows, and the smile on her face is a breath of fresh air. I just hope she’s as cheerful once she sees what she’s up against.
“Hey,” she greets me when I park and hop out of the truck. “How did the drop-off go?”
“Great. He loves hanging out with Grammy. One of those for me?” I nod to the coffee.
“Yep. I hope you still take it black?”
I smirk. “Always.”
“Good.” Her eyes meet mine and time seems to slow for a moment before she tips her head toward the building. “Might as well show me what’s what so I can get started.”
Here we go. “Too late to change my mind?”
“Sorry, but we are well past the point of no return.” She grabs a laptop bag from the hood of her car and starts toward the front door, giving me an up close and personal view of her ass.
In those snug pants. Which are also so thin that I can’t distinguish a panty line.
Because there isn’t one.
Fucking hell.
“Are things really that bad?” she asks over her shoulder, almost catching me. “Or are you just being hard on yourself?”
“It’s not pretty.” I unlock the door and hold it open for her.