Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(72)
“Wait. I’m still sleeping in the living room.” Sean stood and grabbed the blade he’d purchased. “Tony and Striker are coming over Sunday for the game. Why don’t you and Mack come?”
No sooner did Sean mention Mack than her cell phone rang. She glanced at the number and confirmed what she somehow already knew. “I’ll ask him.”
“You gonna answer that?”
“I don’t recognize the number. If it’s important, they can leave a message.” She switched the phone to vibrate. “I’ll talk to Mack about Sunday and let you know.”
***
Something was up. He didn’t know what, but since the school picnic and the incident with Grace, Jessie hadn’t been herself. At first, he’d accepted her explanation. After all, people suffered from migraines all the time. Her reasons for not being around on Monday and Tuesday were valid, although he found it unlikely that she couldn’t find another employee to fill in on both days. However, her behavior on Thursday proved his suspicions. When he called and got her voice mail, he’d left a message like he always did. In the past, she’d called him back not long afterward. Yesterday, though, she’d sent him a text and nothing more. Whatever the problem, he needed an answer, and tonight he planned to get it. So, before leaving the office, he made sure Erin knew he’d be late picking up Grace, then headed for Jessie’s apartment.
For the most part, she kept a regular schedule at the store unless her assistant manager needed the night off, so she didn’t work Friday evenings. Since his suspicions arose, he’d been cognizant of her recent behavior. No matter how hard he tried, nothing jumped out at him as a cause. Yes, she’d appeared a little upset when Bethany showed up the previous Friday night to attend the school picnic, but once she and Grace left, Jessie had acted the same as always. He couldn’t count Saturday because of all the stress Grace’s actions had caused, and they’d not seen each other since, which brought him back to his original dilemma.
The lights in her apartment window confirmed she was home. Prepared for just about anything, he climbed the stairs and knocked. Right on cue, she answered the door.
“Mack, shouldn’t you be picking up Grace?”
His gaze swept over her from head to toe. Other than the dark circles under her eyes, she appeared fine, if not surprised by his unannounced visit. “I asked Erin if she could stay a little longer tonight.” He pulled off the tie he’d worn that day. Thankfully, he didn’t need one every day, but he’d had an appearance in court that afternoon. “We need to talk, and I figured it would be easier without Grace.”
She sighed. “You’re right.” She closed the door and walked into the living room.
Mack followed her.
Was he right about them needing to talk or about it being easier without Grace around? Did it even matter at this point? He waited for more, but when she stayed silent, he made the first move. “You’ve been avoiding me. Why?”
She raised her hand as if to bite her nails, then crossed her arms instead. “Are you and Grace moving to New York with Bethany?”
Ah. Now things more sense. Grace had told Jessie why she’d run away. “No. Like I told Grace, this is home now. We’re not moving anywhere.”
“Then Bethany didn’t tell Grace you were moving back with her?” Her words came out as more of an accusation than a question.
“Bethany told Grace she wanted us to move back with her. Grace misunderstood. I explained to both of them why that’s never happening. Is that what’s been bothering you?”
Jessie unfolded her arms and ran a hand through her hair, then crossed her arms again. “If you two aren’t getting back together, why were you kissing her last weekend?” Her voice remained strong, but he noticed the tears in her eyes.
He hadn’t realized Grace had shared that, too.
“Listen, Mack. I understand if you want to try things again with Bethany. You were married and have a daughter together. If that’s what you want, then go ahead. Just be honest with me. Don’t keep me hanging around in case things don’t work out.”
Considering all the hell she’d gone through with her last boyfriend, he wanted to strangle Bethany for causing her anxiety now and casting doubts on their relationship.
“She’s beautiful. Any man would want a chance with her, but you’re the one she wants.”
He had a reply prepared until she uttered the last sentence. “Did Bethany say something?”
“You could say that. But you didn’t answer my question.”
He’d suspected Jessie had a stubborn streak, but she’d never turned it on him until now. “She came on to me Jessie.” He saw the conflict in her eyes when he reached for her hands. “She wanted us to give it another try, but I told her no. You’re the one I want in my life, no one else.” For the first time since he’d walked in, she cracked a smile. Not the one she usually gave him, but he’d take it.
“And I want to be with you and Grace.”
He heard the ‘but’ before she said it.
“But I won’t compete with her for you. I can’t have her coming on to you or telling me to back off because you and Grace are her family.”
Oh, how he’d love to wrap his hands around Bethany’s neck at the moment.