His grandmother tried to forcefully turn his frown into a smile with her finger. “You just go to work and have a good day.” Kai smirked at her gesture and she added, “And if it makes you feel any better, Jessica Marie is going to be with me for most of the day. She works the later shift on Tuesdays.”
Kai’s mood darkened when he realized he wouldn’t be seeing his cousin tonight. How strange that he’d already gotten used to seeing her on a daily basis. And honestly, he’d been looking forward to an unexpected knock on his door this evening from her. Knowing that probably wouldn’t happen bothered him. Maybe he should take her up on her offer of visiting her at work. Another massage sounded really nice.
Gran patted his thigh again. “Now, you don’t fret over me. Jessica Marie is a fabulous caregiver. I swear, sometimes that girl frets more over my happiness than her own.” She sighed. “At least she finally got smart and dumped that boy she was seeing.”
Kai looked up from where he’d been studying the aged woman’s hand in his own. Her skin seemed so frail and fragile in contrast to his. It was almost startling how different their hands looked, one on top of the other.
“Jeremy?” Kai couldn’t hide the contempt in his voice when he said that name. He wasn’t sure what had really happened between him and Jessie, but he knew that the man hadn’t been faithful to her. That made him a lowlife in Kai’s book. A very stupid lowlife. Jessie was amazing.
Seeming happy that Kai knew a bit about Jessie’s past, Gran nodded. “Yeah, that one was a piece of work. I never did trust the hoodlum.”
Kai grinned. Something about his grandmother not liking Jessie’s ex made a swarm of happy butterflies lift Kai’s belly. He looked down briefly as his brow bunched together. That was an odd feeling to have.
Confused, Kai made a show of checking the time. “Sorry, Gran, I should go.” He gave her an apologetic smile, but really, he needed to leave, needed to get back on the road and clear his head. He was really looking forward to the long, peaceful drive to work now.
Nodding, his grandmother pulled his body toward her so she could kiss his cheek. “Of course, dear.” After their long hug, she once again gave him an odd, appraising look. “Have a good day at work.”
Kai stood up and gave her a breezy smile. “I will.” Pointing at her with a stern finger, he added, “You take it easy when you get home. No tree climbing or anything.”
She laughed at him, and he leaned down for another quick hug. “I’ll wait at least a week for that, I promise.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “You better.” He indicated the oversized muffin he’d brought for her. “Make sure and eat your breakfast before the nurses steal it. I brought them donuts, but you never know.” He gave her a teasing wink, and she promised that she would.
Kai walked into the hall, then glanced back at the door to see her smiling and shaking her head at him. He silently wished her well for the day, and then silently did the same for himself. Hopefully he could get through the day without being stung. Again.
Jessie was having a long week. After seeing Kai Monday night, life had kept her too busy to see him again for a few days. Well, life and taking care of Grams. Jessie found that she missed talking to him face to face. Missed it in a way that was a little disturbing to her.
Whenever she thought about the moment she’d told him she was falling for him, Jessie mentally cringed. God, what the hell had that been about? She couldn’t fall for Kai. It wasn’t allowed, wasn’t acceptable, and definitely wasn’t a path she could go down. Thank goodness Kai had been asleep and hadn’t heard her. How mortifying if he had.
While getting dressed for her Friday morning shift at the clinic, Jessie thought about the past couple of days. Instead of visiting Kai, she had spent her free time with Grams. Helping her to recover went a long way in helping Jessie move on. Kind of. Grams had a way of bringing up Kai every five minutes. She hadn’t appeared to be testing the waters or anything, but out of concern for her grandson, she mentioned him frequently.
She was always asking Jessie to check on him, to make sure he was getting along in the city okay. Finding out where everything was could be confusing to a new person. Jessie constantly assured Grams that she would take him sightseeing when she got some free time. She’d even told her that they might go exploring this weekend. Grams had loved the idea.