Page 84 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

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Jessamine: You’ve shut down with everyone else. Not me. Tell me.

I would have told her at some point.

Me: I met someone.

Jessamine: No fucking way. Is she there right now?

Me: Yes.

The dots kept popping up on my screen and then disappearing.

Jessamine: How long have you been dating?

Me: A little over three weeks.

Jessamine: Ah...does she know about us?

Me: No, and she doesn’t have to.

Jessamine: Jax ...

I could hear her voice in my head holding onto the a in my name.

Me: Jess ...

Jessamine: You’re asking for trouble. If she finds out...

Me: She won’t.

Jessamine: Jax... you know I love you, but this is a mistake.

Me: Drop it.

I should have kept my mouth shut. Jess and I’d known each other since we were toddlers, and she’d never once let anything go.

Lily stretched beside me, giving me enough time to close out of my messages.

“Mmm...who’s texting you this early?” she asked, her voice adorably raspy from sleep.

“Dean.” The lie felt like acid on my tongue.

“What could he want this early in the morning?” she groaned.

“Nothing much. He’s on his way into the office and thinks everyone else is awake, too.” I continued to dig a hole for myself.

“On a Saturday?” A line creased her forehead.

I shrugged. “Who knows why he does what he does?”

“What time are we leaving for the festival today?” She snuggled up next to me, settling her head in the crook of my arm.

“After lunch. Ms. Ketill’s nephew, Davie, should be here by then.” I squeezed her and kissed the top of her head.

“I think it’s sweet he spends part of his summer with her.”

“His mom looks forward to this time, too,” I chuckled. “Davie can be a handful.”

“He can’t be that bad.”

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