Chapter 49. I Need You Here

"You're really leaving next weekend?"

"Probably." Jessi took a deep breath, her heart still thudding hard in her chest. The total privacy they now had mostly dulled the urge to leave him in here.

After locking the doors, Jenson took off his face mask, revealing the days-old stubble that partly hid the angles of his clenched jaw. "How's your mom and dad?"

"They're fine."

"Real worried, I bet."

"Dad really thinks Cali's gonna be the biggest hotspot soon. Mom just wants me home like, now, before the travel restrictions get worse."

"Yeah. I get it,"  the guy beside her replied. The lengthy silence that followed only emphasized the disappointment in his gruff voice. His backseat stayed dark, but the faint lights coming from the other side of the street helped as she studied the look on his face. "They want you back there 'cause they're worried about you."

"Sorry."

"I mean, your choice..." Jenson muttered with a weak shrug. Their sleeve