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Kelsey plopped down on the sofa, her bags on the coffee table. “I still don’t understand what’s going on.”
Robin crossed the room, something held behind her back. “Before we get into that, I know you said Mr. Jim got left at the center, so… His girlfriend is coming to live with you.”
She held out a floppy, pink stuffed rabbit.
Jessica gasped and reached for the animal. “You didn’t!”
“I know, it’s silly, but—”
“It’s not silly at all!” Jessica wrapped an arm around Robin and squeezed. Her eyes prickled with tears. She knew it wasn’t about the rabbit itself. This was an emotional response to everything, but the rabbit was really special. “Thank you.”
Of all the things Jessica had lost on account of the attack, that little rabbit was what she missed the most. When she couldn’t be with Robin or when she had a bad day, she’d hug that stuffed animal and felt better. The last few days hadn’t been so bad given that she had Samuel, but now that they were taking a little break she felt lost. She to hold something tight.
“God, you two are so fucking sweet it hurts my damn teeth,” Kelsey groused.
“Just wait, Robin will figure you out.” Jessica waved the rabbit’s paw at the other woman. “Then she might very well buy you your own token of affection.”
“Okay,” Kelsey said slowly, her eyes bouncing between them. “I’m officially weirded out by you two.”
Jessica nodded. “We will indoctrinate you.”
Robin sputtered a laugh. “What are we, a cult?”
Jessica tilted her head to the side. “I mean, we could be…”
“No.” Kelsey shook her head vehemently. “No, way.”
Robin gestured at the bags. “Want to look through everything?”
“I probably should.” Jessica sighed and dumped the first bag on the bed.
It was underwear and bras, all her typical brands and styles, so stuff that didn’t need trying on. It got folded and put into the big, black duffle Samuel had left her with as a parting present. She might have put her whole head in it to see if it smelled like him.
It did.
Secretly she hoped her things came out on the other side of his trip smelling like him.
“You guys have any update?” Jessica asked.
“Nope,” Robin said.
Kelsey wandered over and sat on Jessica’s side of the bed. “Logan warned me there would be zero communication on this one.”
Robin propped Samuel’s pillow up against the headboard then settled in. “Harper said the same. I don’t have to like it, though.”
Jessica focused on the bag in front of her instead of snapping at Robin to leave Samuel’s side alone. He wasn’t going to sleep there again. It didn’t matter. This was a completely irrational urge, and she knew it.
“What happened with Samuel?” Robin asked.
Jessica forced herself to focus on the simple sheath dress in gray. She had it in black and red back at home. It was one of those items she could wear several different ways. It also didn’t wrinkle. Crucial when traveling. Adding a gray one to her wardrobe wasn’t a bad idea.
“What’s going on with Samuel, anyway?” Kelsey asked.
Well, shit.
She glanced between Jessica and Robin. “You two have left me out of something. I know I’m going to London with you, so spill.”
Jessica steeled herself for the truth. Baruti already knew. Kelsey might as well, too. Jessica didn’t have a reason for keeping this to herself. Then again, it wasn’t like she and Samuel had agreed to put a label on whatever this was, either. And that made it hard to talk about to others. Which had led to her saying nothing because she wanted to enjoy what they had without stressing over what they were.