Chapter 19

“What do you want?”

She seemed mildly taken aback by his blunt question, and hesitated a moment before answering. “I want you to like him,” she finally said. “I want you to look at him and think, damn, Dominique did good. He’s smart, Jess. Almost as smart as you. And he’s good to me. He treats me better than anybody ever has except for you. I want him to be as welcome here as I am.” She swallowed. “I want us to be a family.”

“Dominique…we’re always going to be a family. No matter what happens. No matter where you go, or what you do, or how far away you get, we’re going to be a family. That’s not going to change. And if that means I have to accept Cory as part of the deal, then I will.” Jesse paused with a wry smile. “Actually, that came out wrong. I don’t hate Cory. And I believe he’s good to you. I meant, that no matter what, if somebody is important you, then that person is important to me, too.”