Page 45 of Protection for Nichole

“Everything okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I just was thinking about yesterday.”

“What about it?”

Hiding stuff from Jesse wasn’t how she wanted to start their relationship. Already one of his friends was fixated on the idea that she was hiding stuff.

“Um, well. I mailed those boxes. So, as I was taking them out, I noticed someone sitting across the street from my place. Then, when I came back, the guy was still there watching my place.”

Jesse’s lips thinned, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at her. “What? And you didn’t call me?”

“You were here, and I was there.”

“I have friends everywhere. SEALs who retired, there would have been someone in Chicago.”

“I was leaving, and he didn’t actually bother me. I went upstairs, peeked through the curtain, and watched him for a moment. When I left, I headed out the back door. He didn’t see me again.”

Jesse slowly nodded. “That was smart.”

“I figured going through the alley would be safer.”

He set down the spoon he was using to stir the waffle mix and moved to her. His hands framed her shoulders as he drew in a slow breath. “I worry about you. If you think someone is following you, please call me. I know you’re smart, and you know how to handle yourself in situations like that, but I have access to resources. Also, I’d like to know why that guy was watching your place.”

She shrugged. “Good luck to him because I’m never going back there.”

Jesse pulled her close. “I worry about your safety.”

She clung to him, running her hands over his back so he could see that she was fine. Nothing had happened, and nothing would. She didn’t want to obsess over what danger could befall her. Life wasn’t guaranteed.

Jesse pushed her to arm’s length. “I’m just glad you’re okay. By the way, Apple is coming over for lunch.”

“Oh, that’s right. He wants to spend time getting to know me.”

Jesse nodded, and she had a suspicion that wasn’t the full truth. “Okay, if I have to tell the truth, so do you.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Fine. He doesn’t really want to get to know you better. I’m forcing the issue. He needs to get to know you.”

“He’s not going to like this, and if he’s an ass, I’m going to call him on it.”

“Good. He needs to be called out.”

Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. She was tired, and there was no way she would be able to deal with Apple if he copped an attitude. The guy already had gotten on her nerves by being an ass, and if he did it again, this could totally ruin any chance of them being decent to each other in the future.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked later.

“Positive. Trust me, it will be fine.”

Nichole hoped Jesse was right. She didn’t need Apple to like her. She just needed him to not hate her and cause problems. Maybe their lunch would go okay because if it didn’t, she didn’t know what it would mean for her and Jesse.

Chapter 40

Nichole couldn’t pushthe worry away as it got closer to one when Apple was set to arrive. Her stomach ached, and her head spun. This could go downhill fast.

Apple arrived promptly at one. His gaze flitted over her, and she could see worry on his face. She wasn’t sure why he seemed so worried, but she felt it, too. She wanted this to work out well for all of them.

“Hello, Apple.”

His lips turned up for just a second, though the stress kept him from giving a real smile. “Um, I brought a pie.”

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