Page 14 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“Mango, pineapple, banana, spinach.”

“I hate spinach.” With that, I took another huge gulp.

Julian laughed then remained quiet. As he watched me, his expression was unreadable.

“What?” I glared because giving him dirty looks was an involuntary response.

“Did you have coffee with that guy?”

My brows puckered. “Excuse me?”

He was leaning on the counter but when he asked the question, he straightened up. Clearing his throat, he shrugged. “The paramedic. He asked you out for coffee. Did you go?”

Eyes narrowing, I stared at him, mouth agape. Was he up to something? Was he setting me up to tease me about...something? Because my brain couldn’t grasp the idea of Julian giving a damn about who I had coffee with. “Uh...none of your business. Why?”

He averted his gaze, and there was the slightest hint of pink in his cheeks. “I just...I was wondering if you’re single.”

I continued to gawk. Honestly, I had no idea what to do or say. Did I mention my chronic case of social awkwardness?

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you just going to stare at me?”

“Well, what else am I supposed to do?” I snapped. “Why are you being nice? Why are you asking me about my dating life?” Or lack thereof...

“I want to ask you for a favor, okay? The favor would require you leaving behind whomever you’re...dating.”

I sat taller, my temper flaring. Of course, this had nothing to do with him really caring if I was single or not. “You wanted a favor, and you thought you’d bribe me with a smoothie?” I pushed the glass away. Regretfully. It was very tasty.

“I wasn’t bribing you. I was trying to be polite.”

I rolled my eyes with the dramatics that would rival my melodramatic sister, Ruby. “What do you want?”

“You.”

I almost choked on my spit but then he clarified.

“I need you to travel with me for a few weeks,” he sighed, long and heavy. “I promised everyone I’d hire a medical professional to travel with me so they’d all get off my back.”

Oh. I hated that I felt a sliver of disappointment I felt after I realized that he didn’t actually want me. I gave him a subtle once-over in his white t-shirt that complimented his defined torso. “Who’s everyone?”

He looked skyward. “The people who think that my life doesn’t belong to me.”

I frowned.

“That doesn’t matter,” he said. “So, what do you say?”

“Absolutely not.”

“April come, on?”

“Of all the nurses in the land, Julian, why would I be an option?”

His lips twitched. “Because you’re the only one who I know won’t end up kissing my ass,” he scowled. “Or try to get something from me. Okay?” Julian threw his hands up and winced. “I chose you for the mere fact that you hate my guts.”

Mouth opening and closing, I asked, “Have you lost your mind? Did you get hit in the head with a few too many hockey pucks?”

He roared. “Oh, April, delightful as always.”

“I’m going to go ahead and leave. I’ll be back tomorrow.” I hopped off the stool. “Hopefully, you’ll be done messing around.”

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