Chapter 177

"I only bring it up," I said, "because I want you to know that you never have to do anything that you don’t want. You don’t have to take any risks. You don’t have to do anything at all. Just be with us. Just be here. You’ve accomplished so much. You have nothing to prove to anyone."

For a moment, Jess registered no reaction on her face. Then, for a passing moment, I saw it. It was the barest glimpse of relief, exhaustion, and gratefulness all at once. I couldn’t get a better read on it than that because, once the moment had passed, Jess’s head fell on my chest, and she started sobbing. My own emotions led me to wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly.

The way Jess cried, the way her body felt in my arms spoke volumes. This was completely different from that night I had watched her in the shower, crying to herself. That was out of pain. This? Was from relief.

One day went by without any word from Kayla regarding Jess’s offer. Then a second.