Page 40 of Opening Strain

We wait for the elevator. Emptying my thoughts of everything—and everyone, living and dead—except for the beautiful woman next to me, I turn toward her and cup her smooth cheek. “I’m so impressed with you, Jenna. I have faith you’ll reach, and even surpass, your dreams.”

Her head tilts upward.

Filled with unavoidable desire, I’m drawn to this intriguing woman.

My mouth descends toward hers.

We share a breath.

The elevator pings its arrival and she rushes into it.

Chapter Thirteen

My heart races as the elevator doors close and Jenna disappears. She didn’t look up at me at all. What the fuck just happened?

I can’t go up and do PT with her as if a massive bomb didn’t explode between us. My fingers rake through my hair, and I turn away from the elevator. Outside, I consider my options—do therapy now, call a car service, or walk back to my rental. Waves crashing in the near distance make my decision for me. I start in the direction of the ocean.

My pace is hindered by the lingering pain. Thanks to Michelle. The odd sniping between her and Jenna during today’s lunch confirms I’m on Team Jenna for sure.As if there was any doubt. I rub my fingers over my lips, still warm from our shared breath.

What the fuck am I doing? She’s Darren’s girl.

He’s gonewhispers through my mind.

Yet she remains his.Do Not Fucklist is forever.

The wind whips around me. At least this cold air is clearing my thoughts, until a new one appears. Of a more practical nature—I need a winter coat. I’ve mainly been inside, but this sweatshirt won’t cut it.

A couple of clothing stores beckon, so I enter the first one. A helpful woman in her mid-sixties approaches, asking what she can do for me. From another salesclerk half her age, I’d assume this line was a come-on. From her, though, I understand she’s being friendly.

“I need a winter coat,” I admit.

She smiles. “We have the perfect choices for you. You wear a long, right?”

Gotta hand it to her, she knows her stuff. “You got it.” She leads me to a rack with several choices, and I pick a navy blue long wool coat with a funnel neck, for which she praises my style.Something to brag about to Nese Dalton, UC’s new stylist. She holds up a nice scarf and matching gloves, to which I nod. Go big or go home, right?

Once outside again, I button the coat’s four buttons and ensure the new scarf covers my neck. Much better. I continue walking to the boardwalk and face the angry ocean, the frigid breeze causing me to add my new gloves to my winter ensemble.

The waves mirror what’s going on inside my mind. Why did I almost kiss Jenna? What must she think of me? Will she continue doing my PT?

“Bennett,” someone shouts my name.

Wonderful. Now I have to deal with the public. I turn in the direction of the voice and King waves at me. At least he’s not a foe.

“Hey, I thought that was you,” he says as he approaches. Today, he’s wearing a black peacoat to guard against the weather.

“Hi. What brings you out to the ocean on such a gorgeous day?”

We both chuckle at my joke. “Yeah. It’s days like these that I miss California.” He blows on his bare hands. “But it doesn’t matter, I always love communing with the waves. What drew you out here, Bennett?”

“I’m from Jersey and the ocean’s in my blood too.” A biting wind rolls in from the ocean. “Although it’s fucking freezing out here.”

“Yeah. Want to grab a cup of coffee with me?”

Why not? A little extra time between Jenna and me is for the best. “Make mine a tea, and I’m there.”

Within minutes, we enter a coffeeshop. After placing our orders, we sit at a table by the windows. “How’s PT coming along?”

“It’s coming,” I reply. “Had a bit of a setback today, though.”

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