Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
A spen groaned.
Tired. Way too freaking tired.
What was the time?
She cracked one eye open but quickly scrunched it shut again.
Why was it so bright in here when the curtains were closed? That meant it was late, right?
This was Jesse’s fault. He’d kept her up late last night. Although, it had been worth it.
The heat in her belly did a little dance at the memory of everything they’d done in the shower…then out of the shower against the wall…then in bed.
She rolled over and reached for him, but her hand touched cold sheets.
Her eyes popped open. He wasn’t here. This was the first time in days she’d woken without him. But then, it was late. Or at least, she was pretty sure it was late.
Something sounded in the other room. The subtle clatter of pans.
Jesse. He was clearly up. While her lazy butt had slept in.
She threw off the sheets and climbed out of bed before pulling one of Jesse’s shirts over her head on the way to the door. The shirt smelled exactly like him and it enveloped her.
She stepped into the hall, then the living room, only to grind to a halt, fear shooting through her system.
A man stood by the coffee machine, back toward her. A tall man with broad shoulders. Similar to Jesse, but not Jesse. His hair was slightly lighter, and there was something different about the way he stood.
He turned and she gasped, lifting a lamp from a side table and yanking the cord from the socket. What she would do with the lamp, she wasn’t sure. This guy was huge, in height and width. His biceps were freaking massive. But if he came toward her, she’d swing like her life depended on it.
“Who are you and what are you doing in this house?”
He glanced at the lamp, then back to her. He almost looked…amused? Did he find this funny ?
He lifted his hands. “Aspen—”
“You know my name? How do you know my name? And where’s Jesse?”
“I’m Holden. And I’m not here to hurt you. If I was, would I be making coffee?”
Well…no, but it was early, and she didn’t know what the heck was going on.
“Holden…” Her frown deepened. “Holden, as in Jesse’s best friend?”
“That’s me. And Jesse’s—”
The back door opened, and a shirtless Jesse stepped in. “Thanks. I needed that run.” He stopped, eyes going to the lamp in her hand, moving down her body, then returning to her face. “Aspen.”
Holy freaking shit. She was wearing his shirt. Only his shirt. No panties. No bra. In front of his best friend. Her nipples were probably poking through the material.
Her pulse picked up speed, but she plastered the fakest smile she could muster on her face as she looked at Holden. “Excuse me while I put on some actual clothes.”
She spun and speed-walked back to the bedroom, almost running, before closing the door behind her with a loud thud.
She’d barely stepped inside when the door opened behind her. “Aspen—”
She spun. “I’m not wearing panties or a bra.”
One side of Jesse’s mouth lifted. “I know.”
“ You know, which means he knows!” She was shout-whispering, but she couldn’t help it.
Jesse crossed the space between them and wrapped his fingers around the lamp. “I’m going to take this before you swing it again and hurt yourself.”
She’d been swinging it? She hadn’t even realized she was still holding it.
He set it on the dresser and turned back to her, his arms slipping around her waist. “With everything going on, I forgot to mention he was arriving today. He got here early, and you were still asleep, so I left you a note on your phone.”
“You left me a note?”
“I did. But I should have woken you before I left. I’m sorry.”
“I swung a lamp at him!” Her cheeks suddenly felt hot again.
He tugged her closer. “Hey. It doesn’t matter. Although, in the future, if you see a stranger in the house, I’d prefer you run.”
“Of course it matters! He’s your best friend and he’s moving to town and now he thinks your girlfriend’s a psycho.”
This time, both corners of Jesse’s mouth lifted, his dimples on full display. “Girlfriend?”
Shit. They hadn’t spoken about what they were.
“Aspen Davies…are you my girlfriend?”
She swallowed as she looked into his beautiful eyes. “Depends…are you my boyfriend?”
“Absolutely I am.” Then he kissed her, and she almost forgot about every embarrassing thing she’d done that morning…almost.
“You sure the coffee hasn’t gotten better?” Holden asked.
Jesse’s lips twitched. “Nope. This diner has changed hands twice in the last twenty years, and it’s still the same instant shit.”
Aspen leaned forward. “Soon, you’ll be able to get a good coffee at The Tea House.”
“The Tea House?” Holden asked. “I’ve been to Amber Ridge a lot and never knew about a tea house.”
“Hey, I grew up here, and I didn’t know about it,” Jesse added.
“Oh, it’s here,” Aspen said. “And it has amazing pie.”
“I’m not sure—”
“Trust me,” Jesse interrupted. “You want to go for the pie.”
A waitress stopped at their table. “Hi, what can I get everyone?”
They each put in their breakfast order, and Holden was the only one to order coffee.
Jesse lifted a brow at him.
He shrugged. “I need to see for myself if it’s any better.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. So, did the trip over go okay?” He still couldn’t believe his best friend and former teammate was here in Amber Ridge. But it felt so damn good.
“Yeah, filled the truck and made the thirteen-hour drive in eleven and a half.” He glanced around the diner. “It’s crazy that this town never changes. Everything’s always exactly the same.”
“Not much changes here.” Not even the bad coffee.
“You’ve been here often?” Aspen asked.
“I’ve crashed a few of the Davies family holidays.”
“It’s not crashing if you’re invited,” Jesse corrected.
Aspen frowned. “You don’t celebrate with your family?”
There was a small tensing of Holden’s muscles. It was so subtle, most wouldn’t have noticed. Jesse knew him too well to miss it.
“My mom died when I was a teenager, and I never knew my dad.”
Jesse’s stomach clenched. Holden’s father had left his mother before he was born, and his mother had gotten sick with lung cancer and died when he was sixteen. Then he’d bounced around a couple of foster homes before enlisting in the military.
Aspen’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. I heard you’re having a rough time with your mother.”
Aspen cringed. “Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a smooth time when Karen Davies is involved.” She glanced at her phone.
She’d done that a couple times. “Are you expecting a message from her?”
“I asked her when she’s leaving for Misty Peak, but she hasn’t responded. She’s also not answering my calls.” Aspen lifted a shoulder like it was no big deal, but Jesse knew it was.
He squeezed her thigh beneath the table. “I’ll touch base with George to see what the status is on the cabin.”
She gave him a small smile. “Thanks. I’m just going to go to the bathroom.”
He stood to let her out, but before she could step away, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t venture too far, okay?”
Humor danced in her eyes. “The bathroom is right there. I think I’ll be fine.”
She kissed him and he watched as she crossed the diner.
When he lowered back into the booth, he caught Holden staring at him. “What?”
“You really like her.”
“Yeah. Does that surprise you?”
“A bit. I’ve seen you date, but this seems different.”
“Aspen’s different.”
Holden’s mouth curved. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
The smile dropped from Holden’s face. “No progress on finding Dylan?”
“No. And it’s driving me fucking crazy.” He wanted eyes on the asshole, and he wanted eyes on him now. He felt blind and helpless, and he hated that.
“He won’t be able to do much in this town without someone noticing.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Jesse was still in his head when Holden frowned. “Hey. I know we’ve spoken about Antwan on the phone, but this is the first I’ve seen you in person since all that went down. How are you doing after everything?”
His chest tightened. Sometimes he could almost forget about everything that took place in Misty Peak. Then he remembered, and fuck , it felt heavy. “As okay as I can be. You?”
“I wasn’t there.”
“Doesn’t matter. He was like a brother to all of us.”
Holden nodded. “Yeah. It hurts.”
It more than hurt.
Okay, they needed a change of subject. “My mom’s having a family dinner tomorrow night. Come with us.”
“Is she making her famous pot roast?”
“I can put in the request.”
“I’ll be there.”
Aspen returned to the table. “See? All safe.”
He slid a hand back to her thigh as soon as she sat down. “Good.”
The waitress returned with their food. The second she left, Holden lifted his mug of coffee to his lips. His expression didn’t change as he sipped it. There was no cringe. No face pulled. But then, Holden could be a master at concealing his emotions.
Jesse lifted a brow. “And?”
“It’s not so bad.”
Aspen’s jaw dropped. “What?”
Holden laughed. “I’m kidding, it’s terrible. Like warm water mixed with dirt.”
“That’s my description too.” Jesse laughed.
The diner door opened, and Luke and Bea stepped in. Jesse frowned. He didn’t know they hung out.
Luke’s gaze went straight to him, and he smiled before heading to their table. Bea followed closely behind.
“Hey. Looks like we got a day off at the same time,” Luke said.
“Doesn’t happen often.” Jesse gestured across the table. “Luke, Bea, this is my friend Holden. Holden, Luke’s a deputy at the station and Bea works our front desk.”
Holden dipped his head. “Hey.”
“What are you two doing today?” Aspen asked.
Bea smiled. “Getting a juice and going for a walk. It’s such a nice day.”
Luke stepped back. “We’ll leave you guys to it. See you at work, Jesse.”
They moved to the counter, and Aspen turned to Jesse. “Are they together?”
He shook his head, barely holding in the laugh. “No. Luke doesn’t date.”
Holden lifted a brow. “Ever?”
“I mean, he has women he sees on a more regular basis”— like Margot —“but I don’t think Bea’s one of them.”
“I don’t know,” Aspen said as she glanced back toward the counter. “I think there’s something there.”
“That’s probably the romance author in you wanting to couple them off.”
Her smile softened. “I do like a good love story.”
Just another thing he adored about her. He looked back at Holden. “So, are you spending the day settling in?”
Holden shot a look at his watch. “Actually, the agent to the place I bought is giving me the keys today.”
Jesse’s brows shot up. “You’ve got a place already?”
“Sight unseen. Guess I’m brave or stupid.”
“Shit, you really are here for good.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I thought you’d stay for a few months, maybe a year, then be back on the move.”
Holden shook his head. “Nah, it’s about time I settled some roots. And Amber Ridge is as good a place as any.”