CHAPTER 6
Jessa didn’t know why she whipped through the apartment like a fiend, cleaning, straightening, and then fixing herself up.
Will said he was only stopping by to drop off some of Sara’s things. It wasn’t like this was a date or anything. That would be crazy. He was her sister’s ex.
Even so, she was just swiping on some lipstick—and telling her reflection in the bathroom mirror that she was crazy for doing so—when the doorbell rang.
Damn he was fast. Or maybe it was just that she had been trying to get too much accomplished in too short of a time.
She reminded herself—again—that he was just dropping off some stuff, nothing more, and moved to the door.
As she tugged on the knob and the door swung wide, Jessa got her first look at Will since the breakup.
She wrote off the thundering of her heart to her recent frenzied bout of activity. It certainly wasn’t because Will looked so damn good standing in her doorway in his tight gray T-shirt and jeans.
“Uh, hey.” She ran her hand through her hair and tried to ignore her voice sounded breathless. Maybe he hadn’t noticed.
“Hey.” The expression of determination on his face and the big black trash bag hanging heavily from his hand told her he had other things on his mind besides the state of Jessa’s hair.
“Um, come in.” She backed up.
“Thanks.” Will took a step forward and glanced around the apartment. “I, uh, thought maybe you could give this stuff to your sister when you see her again.”
It was doubtful she’d be seeing Sara anytime soon. Sara didn’t even visit their parents during the years she’d been with Jerry. Jessa didn’t think he’d be enthusiastic for Sara to visit her anytime soon. Just trying to get Sara on the phone was a challenge.
She kept that information to herself and reached for the bag that would likely sit in her closet for the next year or so. “Sure.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
“No problem at all.” Jessa eyed him more closely. “How are you doing?”
“Fine. Good. Thanks.”
She didn’t believe that but she didn’t know him well enough to call him a liar or push him for the truth.
Instead she asked, “You want a beer?”
His eyes widened. “You have beer?”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “Why do you look so shocked?”
“Your sister only drank wine.”
“Yeah, I know.” Jessa walked to the fridge and pulled out two longneck bottles. “There’s still a half a bottle she left here.”
He snorted out a laugh. “I had one of those at my place too. It’s in the garbage now.”
“That’s where this one is going to end up. I’ll never drink it. It’s probably too old now anyway.”
He hadn’t given her an answer about wanting a beer or not, but she popped the top off one bottle and held it out toward him anyway. He took it and read the label with a smirk. “Girly beer.”
“Hey, at least it’s beer. I can offer you questionable wine instead if you’d prefer.” She cocked up one brow.
“Nah. This is good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome . . . in spite of your judgment and criticism of my favorite beer.” She screwed up her mouth, which only made Will laugh.
It was a good sound. Popping open the top of her own apparently less than masculine beer of choice, she smiled. She wouldn’t mind hearing Will’s laugh a whole lot more.
He took a big gulp and lowered the bottle to the counter. “Hmm. Not bad.”
“See. I’ve expanded your palate.”
“Yeah, I guess it could use some expanding.” He ran his fingers through his wavy blond hair before raising sky blue eyes to meet her gaze. “So, you hear from her a lot?”
Surprised he’d asked, Jessa answered, “Not much. A couple of times. Quick conversations. I know she made it there safely and she was still there as of about two weeks ago, which is the last time I called her. That’s the last I heard.”
Will nodded but didn’t comment and an uncomfortable silence settled between them.
She raised the bottle to her lips and took a swallow for lack of anything else to do while Will glanced at the new deadbolt, still in the box on the counter next to the fridge.
He tipped his chin toward it. “What’s with that?”
“Oh, that’s me procrastinating because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing and I don’t own any tools. I bought it right after Sara—” Hating that all conversations seemed to lead to her sister, she cut off the thought. “Anyway, I thought I’d feel more comfortable living alone if I had a better lock on the door.”
“I’ll install it for you.” He picked up the box to take a closer look. “I’ve got the tools in the truck.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s no trouble and you’re right, you do need better locks. A woman living alone—you probably should look into getting a security system too. That wouldn’t hurt. But for now, let me get this put in for you.” He pushed off the counter he’d been leaning against.
“No, Will, really, I don’t want you to go to any trouble.” She took a step closer and laid her hand on his forearm. The feel of the muscles, strong and hard beneath his skin, had her swallowing.
When Will dropped his gaze to where her hand touched him, Jessa pulled her hand back.
“Jessa, I’m doing it so you might as well stop arguing and just let me.” He took a step toward the door but turned back to face her. He paused as if waiting for her to do just that—argue.
She didn’t. She was too busy trying to still her beating heart, which suddenly felt very susceptible to the various charms of Will Weber, not the least of which was his concern for her safety.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll let you.”
“Good.” He shot her a million watt smile and reached for the door. “Be right back.”
Her heart did another flip as she watched him walk away.
Damn. She was in trouble.