Page 32 of Guarded from Corruption

While I wait for her to answer, I run through all the things I don’t want to let slip. Like staying at her brother’s apartment instead of my place in Austin. The whole abduction thing. The tingles I get whenever Niall touches me. The feeling of rightness when I’m in his arms.

“Jade!” Shea’s cheerful voice comes across the line. “I feel like I haven’t talked to you in ages. How’s it going?”

“It’s good.” I can practically feel my nose growing. “Just working. You know, the usual.”

Shea huffs at me. “You mean not dating or doing anything fun?” Her voice softens. “I just wish you’d work a little less, Jade. Ever since you moved to Texas, I never hear you talk about anything but work.”

“That’s not true.” I hop up from the couch and head over to the window. It’s beautiful outside; the sky a bright blue brushed with tiny wisps of white, the oak trees vivid sprays of green against it. In the distance, the restored barn is a flurry of activity, as several men carry chairs and tables inside it.

Leaning against the windowsill, I add defensively, “I talk about books. And movies. And I took that trip to Dallas last month?—”

Shea cuts me off. “Wasn’t that for work, too? A conference?”

“It was at a hotel. And there were dinners and music.” I quickly change the topic, saying lightly, “Anyway. Enough about me. How are you doing? Is everything?—”

“I’m sorry, Jade.” Her voice dips apologetically. “We haven’t talked in weeks and now I’m giving you a hard time. I just worry about you.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Liar, liar. “I’m fine. Really. But you? Is everything going okay? Work? And…”

“I’m good. Really good, actually. I know you were worried when Niall moved, but I’m really okay. I just joined a trivia team, and I went out on a date. Plus, I’m still seeing my counselor once a month, just to make sure things are on track.”

A bit of my tension eases. Even though it’s been three years and she’s solidly in recovery, it’s hard to completely let go of my worry. “I guess I just worry about you, too.”

“Of course you do.” I can hear Shea smiling. “You’re my best friend. It would be weird if you didn’t. Just like it would be weird if I didn’t bug you about working less and putting yourself out there. Not that you have to find a guy, being single is okay, but maybe just give it a try…”

The only person I’d consider giving it a try with is currently in the shower less than thirty feet away from me. But I’m not saying that to Shea. “Maybe. Things are pretty crazy right now. With… work and all. But once things settle down…”

“You should get together with Niall.”

“What?” My cheeks go hot. Did I accidentally say what I was thinking?

“Just to hang out,” Shea explains quickly. “You know, since he just moved there. You guys don’t live too far away from each other, do you?”

The shower shuts off, and I can hear the faint sound of Niall humming to himself in the bathroom. Probably without any clothes on. His muscly chest all damp and dewy and his hair waving like it always does when it’s wet and?—

How am I thinking about naked Niall? After everything? While I’m on the phone with his sister? My best friend?

Why am I still thinking about him?

On a gulp, I say, “Um. Not too far away.”

The bedroom door opens and Niall comes out dressed in khaki shorts that show off his muscular legs and a blue T-shirt the exact color of his eyes. He smiles at me and my heart flutters.

“You should call him,” continues Shea. “Meet up for drinks or something.”

Niall walks into the kitchen and pulls two beers from the fridge. He holds one up to me with a questioning look, and I find myself nodding at him. “Maybe I will.”

Shea is going to kill me when she finally hears everything.

CHAPTER TEN

NIALL

It’s not a date.

I’m just making sure Jade feels comfortable.

She knows me the best, so it makes sense to stick close to her.

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