Jessa by Elsie James

Author:Elsie James [James, Elsie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

For the first time in my life, I’m thankful for the bumper to bumper traffic that confronts us on the way home. I promptly enter the slow lane. I will never be upset about more time with Jessa. Everything about this day with her makes it impossible for me to want it to end. The way her body teased mine with every touch. The fact that she exists almost exclusively on desserts. How Jessa knew exactly what to say to Gram.

“You were incredible with Gram,” I say.

“Gram is an easy person to love. They all were. You work in an incredible place.”

“I loved having you in my world today.”

“Since I have been in your world now, does that mean I get a copy of the top-secret cookie recipe?” She smiles playfully.

I place my hand on her thigh. “Yes, I will make sure you get the recipe. Jessa, you fit in this picture with me. I don’t want to keep having to make up flower related errands to feel like this with you.”

She slides her left hand into my right. I wrap my fingers through hers. Every part of my body responds to her touch. I think about the outline of her hips in her black pants and her long hair trailing down her back.

“You’re my dream girl. Perfect, right now, just as you are. Wherever you’re going, I will help you get there.”

“But, I’m not perfect,” she responds. “I have so many broken parts. I’ve been depending on myself for a very long time. You see me at work being perfect, but working is all I know. Working is all I ever saw. My mom had two, sometimes three, jobs to keep us afloat.”

I pull her fingers to my mouth and kiss them. “That is her story. It doesn’t have to be yours. Trust me. Lean on me, and I can teach you about the other parts of life. Let me show you what it feels like to rely on someone. Let me show you what life can be like when you make room for it.” I need her to understand that she does not have to make the choice she’s making. It’s not me or the job. It can be both if she would just get out of her own way.

“It is not that easy. Like I told you, trust is hard for me.” She lays her head back on the seat. “When I was eight, I found out that my father had another family. This whole other world that mom and I knew nothing about. It changed everything for me, broke me.”

A fierce need to protect her courses through me. I hate her dad. I want to pick up this beautiful, broken woman piece by piece. Hold her upright until she can stand on her own.

“Jessa, you’re not broken. You are perfect.” I squeeze her forearm.

“It’s ok, it was a long time ago. I just want you to know why I’m hesitant.”

I slide my hand between her head and the seat and gently tug the hair on the back of her head.

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