Chapter 45

“That’s it?”

“Um, I’m sure it’ll be great.” Was he put out because she wasn’t jumping up and down to find out about the secret?

“I hope you think so.” He stared, those piercing dark eyes looking anxious and confused.

She sighed. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

A denial, pure and simple. Damn, the man was so moody. From highs to lows, from mischief to pensive, all in a snap. Everyone always just adapted, Kimber noticed. Jesse was so used to the world revolving around him. It was so unlike her father and brothers, who only had three modes: work, laughter, and anger—in that order. Jesse was all over the emotional map.

“What happened to the you I used to know?” The question was out before she could stop it.

Jesse’s gaze snapped back to her. “What do you mean?” Kimber fought the urge to fidget and looked away. But they hadn’t had an honest conversation in the last week. Passing and superficial, yes. He’d asked about her family, her schooling, scraped a bit o