Page 35 of Give Me a Shot

Mo grunted.

“She’s figured you out.”

Mo grunted again because he wasn’t sure what that meant.

“At a bare minimum, she’s concerned about you. About your comfort.”

“I dunno.”

Khalil gave him a half-frown.

“It sounds like she gets that you’re rough around the edges, but it’s not some sort of ego thing, or anger at the world or something. What’s she like? Personality wise?” Khalil asked.

Mo gave half a chuckle, thinking of her interaction with Doug.

“Maybe a little rough around the edges,” he said.

“A match made in heaven,” Khalil said.

Mo grunted again. Maybe Khalil wasn’t wrong. Both he and Jess were wary with the world. For him, it was a lifestyle; for her, it might have only been a reaction to the grief she was dealing with. He kept that part to himself, though. Khalil could help him without knowing what she was going through.

“To recap,” Khalil said, “this equally grouchy woman has paid close enough attention to figure you out.”

“Yes.”

“She stood up for you with people who should have known better because they’ve known you a lot longer than she has.”

“Yes.”

“Andshe refused to let you criticize yourself,” Khalil said.

“Yes.”

“I can only lead the horse to water, Mo,” he said flatly.

Mo paused. He hadn’t laid it out like that. He’d been too caught up in his own confusion.

“Okay,” he said.

“Jess likes you, Mo,” Khalil said. “Repeat that, please.”

Mo rolled his eyes.

“Jess likes me,” he muttered.

“Good,” Khalil said. “So if she likes you and she kissed you back, what on earth do you have to feel guilty for?”

That was the problem. Mo didn’t know.

“Is it Maddie?” Khalil asked.

“Maddie?”

“Well, your life has kind of revolved around Maddie since you and Diana split up. And I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. But are you afraid that if you let Jess into your life, you’ll have to push Maddie out somehow?”

Mo considered the possibility.

“Maybe,” he said.

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