Page 13 of The Other Side

I follow Jesse through the living room until we steer left. When we reach the marble of the foyer, he spins around just as I’m extending my hand.

“Thank you for hiring Nexis Architecture. We’re really excited about this design, and I look forward to working on it with you.”

He rests his palm in mine. “You’re very welcome. After this consultation, I’m officially excited.”

When we pull away, he opens the front door for me to pass by.

“If you have any questions, never hesitate to email or call,” I offer.

“Will do.”

I step onto the stone porch, pivoting to wave a hand. Jesse throws a tight-lipped smile before shutting the door, and then I’m traveling the curve of the paver stones. My fingers dig into my jeans pocket, extracting my keys before I greet the road.

I’m about to open the door to my truck along the curb, but a low hum rumbles behind me. My head rotates, eyes following the white Range Rover steering onto the driveway I just walked from.

A dilemma stirs inside me. My mind volleys between introducing myself to Jesse’s fiancé and avoiding the awkward introduction altogether. On the other hand, my meeting with Jesse is over. She may not even know I was coming over today for a consultation.

As soon as her engine cuts, I return my attention to my Tacoma. My palm wraps around the handle to swing the door open, and I prop a boot to hop inside.

I place my backpack on the passenger seat while reaching for the driver’s side door. But before I can pull it toward me, a ripple of thuds tumbles through the air.

My brows dip as I catch the half-mast trunk door through the windshield. Scattered cartons of milk and juice decorate the paver stones behind the Range Rover.

A groan greets the silence. “Goddammit.”

Another grunt runs from her mouth when she tosses the torn, brown bag through the air. My mouth tips up at the corner, legs swinging out of my truck when her slender frame bends in her pretty clothes.

She’s got these black heels on that gleam under the sun. A fitted skirt with a short-sleeve blouse tucked into the waistline. Her long, dark hair is ruffled in these soft curls, neatly cascading over the sides of her face as she crouches.

Of course she’s a fine-looking woman.

Figures.

My body kicks into action, lightly jogging to make sure I pick up her groceries before she has to. “Here, let me help you.”

“Oh, god!”

Her yelp leaps to my ears before she falls back on her bum.

I thrust forward, offering her my hand. “Shit, I’m really sorry,” I apologize. “I saw you dropped a few things, and well, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t stop to help a lady?” A timid chuckle emerges from my smirk, hoping she’ll forgive me. “Here.”

Her eyes flick up—just for a moment—and then she’s planting a palm over her face. She wags her head, her chest vibrating through a light laugh.

Then she molds her palm to mine.

There’s this warmth that radiates from her satin skin, and I swear it spreads to my heart.

I gently place my free hand around her upper arm, carefully tugging her to a standing position. She’s probably about five-foot-six. My six-foot-two frame towers over her as she irons her clothing out with her palms.

Then she lifts her head, and our eyes finally lock. “Thank y⁠—”

Her words evaporate just as all the air in my chest vanishes.

Chapter 5

Callie Rae

My bottom lip dangles numbly, heels cemented to the paver stones underneath us. I think my palm drops from his grasp, but I can’t be certain,