Page 14 of No Place Like Home

I brought my hand to my chest. “Little mamas, you wound me. I’ve known you since you were yea tall.”

Rosie turned to look at Jess, questioning if what I’d just said was true. At first glance, they didn’t look alike. Rosie was fair, with honey hair, while Jess…well, Jess looked different than I remembered. She was tanned, with brown hair that had some red shine to it in the sun, and dark eyes. Still, if you looked at their perky noses and the way their brows arched the same way, you knew they had to be related.

“He used to work with me at Emma’s,” Jess mumbled.

This seemed to appease Rosie, so she just shrugged, taking her big sister’s word for it. Walking up faster, I caught up to Jess, who went stiff when Simba went next to her.

“He likes you.” I repeated the same words from earlier.

It wasn’t a lie. My dog didn’t usually chase after people. I think the fact that she was covered head-to-toe in black made him pay attention. It was good to know my dog was alert and I hadn’t spent thousands of dollars for nothing on his education…except Jess wasn’t a damn burglar. Still, it was dope to know she still loved rocking her black wardrobe, except there was more of a feminine touch to it now.

I was glad to know she was okay after everything.

“What?” Jess arched a brow at me.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re staring at me.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” I answered honestly.

Her gaze traveled from the top of my head to my Yezzy-covered feet. It wasn’t sexual like most women, but God, if I didn’t feel that shit deep in my gut.

“Looks like you didn’t let it all go to your head.” She shrugged it off, not knowing I was holding my breath, waiting to hear what would come out of her mouth.

She knew who I was and didn’t give a fuck, and that was rare. Then again, I’d grown up with her, so that could have been a factor too. I’d met many women who treated me like I was nothing special, but it was all an act. As soon as they woke up in my bed, they would shyly admit they knew who I was after all.

I was one big game to women, so I played the game, but did it by my rules. I was nothing but a golden ticket to a better life for them.

Putting Simba in the passenger seat of my Audi, I followed Jess into town. Simba had his head sticking out, taking in the serene greenery, while I kept my eyes on her Jeep.

Emma’s diner was packed when we got there, and we had to park on the other side of the street. I looked at the place and still remembered the small café that it used to be. A bittersweet feeling came over me at how much things had changed.

“Where is he staying?” Jess motioned toward Simba, who was wagging his tail ecstatically now that she’d acknowledged him.

My dog was an attention whore, and it was killing him that Jess wasn’t giving him an inch.

“He can sit on the floor. He’ll whine, but won’t cause a scene.” I shrugged.

I knew pets weren’t allowed, but I wasn’t just anyone. Being adored had its perks.

“He’s eating with us?”

Her fear of dogs was something I didn’t have a clue about, and why would I? Beyond our time at the coffee shop, I’d never looked for her at school, something I had regretted since her ma’s funeral. Now, looking at her, I wished I had known more.

“Technically, he’s watching us eat.” Reaching out, I grabbed hold of her hand and bit my lip to stop myself from smiling when she gave me a glare.

Not to brag or anything, but any other woman would have begged for me to touch them. Jess, not so much. Since I knew this wasn’t a game to her, I found everything about it enticing.

“Own your fears,” I murmured, stepping behind her.

My body towered over hers. I wouldn’t have called her frail. She was just petite, but fierce. She didn’t lean back, nor give me a coy smile, which again was new to me. Her small hand got lost in mine. I held it softly so I wouldn’t rattle her. I brought it down to Simba, who was wagging his tail, happy to finally have her hands on his fur. Jess seemed to stop breathing as I glided her hand down Simba’s mane.

“That’s not so bad. Is it?” I whispered.

“It’s soft,” she said in awe.

I chuckled. “For the ridiculous amount of money his grooming costs, it better be.”

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