Chapter 53

Jesse

Jesse took her time eating her hash browns, savoring their salty, hot taste. She loved pretty much any version of a potato. Besides that, she wasn’t extremely hungry, and she didn’t want to be wasteful.

Hal had ordered an immense meal complete with bacon, eggs, hash browns, and a stack of pancakes. She watched in awe as he ate the whole thing without any difficulty, especially as she began to feel increasingly full just from her hash browns.

At length, they both finished their food, and they went back to sipping their coffee. Jesse was beginning to get anxious at the thought of going back out into the city streets. Suddenly, she wished they were just back at his apartment, or even hers. Just somewhere where they would not be in the public eye.

“Hey,” Hal’s voice brought her out of her thoughts. “You alright?”

Jesse blinked a few times and gave him a smile.

“Of course,” she said, though Hal’s frown let her know that he didn’t believe her in the slightest.

“You don’t need to worry about those people,” Hal said softly, and Jesse released a sigh.

“I know, I know.” Jesse nodded, looking down at the table in front of her. “I’m just really not used to it. And last time, we ended up in the papers.”

“Is that such a bad thing?” Hal asked her, and his eyes glistened with humor.

“I guess not,” Jesse sighed, shaking her head. “It’s just … I mean, you’re used to that, but me … I’m not exactly used to strangers approaching me in the street.”

Hal nodded and gave her a gentle smile as he reached across the table to take her hand in his.

“It doesn’t matter,” Hal said. “We’re going to get out of the city for the rest of the day.”

Jesse’s ears perked up at that information.

“Really?” she asked him, suddenly curious about how they were going to be spending the rest of the day.

“Well, this is just an idea I had,” Hal prefaced before he went on. “But I was going to take you out to my cabin, in-state. We can stay for as long as you like. I have people out there keep the place stocked, and I can take you shopping for a few outfits before we go.”

Jesse blinked and shook her head at this sudden onslaught of information. On one hand, it would be nice to get away from the population of the city. On the other hand, she would be alone in a cabin with Hal …

That idea alone was enough to make her stomach clench in both a good and bad way.

“I don’t know,” Jesse shook her head and sighed. “It’s just so short notice …”

“I know,” Hal said, nodding gently. “I shouldn’t have sprung it on you like this. It’s just … I can tell that having all these people around is making you uncomfortable. And … that’s not how I wanted it to be today. I just wanted to spend time with you. Just you, Jess.”

Jesse blushed as Hal spoke to her so honestly and warmth built up in her stomach. She was grateful that he was being so considerate of her needs. At the same time, she was almost as anxious about going out into the woods with him as she was about staying here in the city surrounded by hordes of people.

Jesse was about to decline when she looked up into Hal’s face and found her comfort there. His expression was soft, and his eyes were gentle. She could tell that no matter what she said, he would be accepting of it, and he would not pressure her to do what he wanted. He wanted her to make her own decision.

So, Jesse thought for a little longer. She knew herself, and she knew that she would never be able to relax while she felt like she was under the observation of people everywhere. She knew that the logical solution was to go somewhere remote. She had been nervous about being alone with Hal before, but that had not turned out badly at all.

On the contrary, it had actually turned out quite well for her.

So, having made up her mind, Jesse looked up at him and made to give him her answer.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “I want to go.”

Hal’s face lit up, and Jesse held up her hand to keep him from saying anything before she could finish telling him the completeness of her decision.

“But,” she continued. “I want to pack my own clothes.”

Hal seemed to blink for a moment before his face returned to its happy state.

“Okay,” he said, laughing a little. “Done, no problem.”

Jesse nodded and took a sip of her coffee.

“Oh, and also,” Hal held up a finger, “I will have a helicopter there on standby in case you ever need to get back into the city. I have internet at the cabin too, so you can take your laptop and anything else you might need to keep track of your applications, or whatever else you might need.”

Jesse had to admit she was impressed. She hadn’t even thought of that herself, and she was pleasantly surprised by his consideration for her needs.

“Thank you,” Jesse said, giving him a smile.

“Of course,” Hal smiled, and Jesse felt herself warm at the tender look in his eyes.

They finished up their food, and the waiter came back with their check, which Hal easily paid for. When the waiter returned with the receipt, Hal signed it, and both of them stood up, and Hal led her out of the café.

Jesse had already braced herself for another long walk down the sidewalk when Hal gently guided her toward a car that had been parked at the curb. As they approached, a man got out of the driver’s seat and moved toward Hal, handing him the keys.

“Thank you, Jack,” Hal said to the man, smiling, as he took the keys. “Oh, and this is Jesse Clarke.”

“A pleasure,” the tall, broad man looked down at her and smiled kindly, offering his hand.

“The pleasure’s all mine,” Jesse said, taking his hand and offering him a smile in return.

The man then left, and Jesse watched as he got into a car that was parked just behind Hal’s, a large, black suburban. The man got into the passenger seat and then the driver pulled out into the street and drove off.

“I texted them to bring a car,” Hal explained. “I didn’t want you to have to put up with any more people than you already have today.”

Jesse gave him a grateful smile and felt a flutter in her stomach in response to his kindness. He opened the passenger door of the car, and Jesse stepped in, allowing it to close it behind her. It was not a moment before he was in the driver’s side and had turned on the car.

“So,” Hal started as he pulled into the street. “To your place?”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Jesse confirmed. “I’ll just pack up a few things if that’s okay.”

“No problem,” Hal said, smiling over at her. “There’s no rush, take your time.”

Jesse felt another flutter at the smile he shot her.

“Thank you,” Jesse said softly. “You know, for being so accommodating for me.”

Hal laughed aloud.

“You’re more than welcome,” he said easily. “I want you to feel comfortable with me. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that possible.”

Jesse listened to his resolute words and felt a chill roll down her spine. She could tell he was serious, and she could feel more of her walls being broken down each moment she spent with him.

In some ways, it unnerved her that he was able to so easily disarm her. But in other ways, she was extremely invigorated by the bond that seemed to be forming between them.

It was not long until they had crossed the city and pulled into the parking garage of Jesse’s apartment. Hal pulled into a spot, and Jesse stepped out of the car. Jesse still felt a little worried that people would see them, but she passed through the apartment with no incidents, and they made it to her home without confronting any fans.

Jesse was more than grateful.

Once they stepped into her place, Jesse shut and locked the door behind them, releasing a breath she had been holding. She hoped that one day she would be able to better tolerate the masses of people that seemed intent on surrounding Hal Roberts.

For now, though, she was content to take advantage of the opportunity to escape with him to a cabin far away from the crowds.

Jesse vaguely realized that she had no idea what on earth she ought to pack.