Page 19 of Only This Once
Julia’s stomach tightened.
“I could return it now. Things can’t be easy with all that work drama. Come over and we’ll bitch about everyone who called you a slut.”
She glanced at the Jeep she’d parked next to. It was bright and cheerful, like the Jinx she was used to. “I really can’t today, Phoebe. Sorry.” She listened to her friend huff. “Besides, most of the slut-shaming has died down.” At least to her face it had, but that’s all that mattered to her. “Work is going well. I like working for Charles. Thanks for that, by the way.”
Phoebe hesitated but then admitted, “I had nothing to do with it. That was all his idea.”
“Oh. Well, still, you must have told him what happened and—”
“I didn’t. He already knew, and he offered you the position on his own. Charles is good about stuff like that.” Phoebe made an annoyed sound in her throat. “Charles is the one on top ofthings, Jesse is the sweet do-gooder, and I’m the terrible mother ruining my kids’ lives.”
Julia frowned. “You’re not a terrible mother. What’s wrong with the kids?”
“If you came over here, I could escape for a bit and tell you.” Phoebe’s tone had that begging quality she did so well.
Julia’s gaze was pulled to the front door that Jinx opened. His smile was bright, like it used to be, and he lifted his hand in a wave.
“I really can’t today.”
“Fine.” Phoebe’s voice sounded flat again. “But today’s the only day this week that I can get free.”
“We’ll figure it out. We always do.” Time would pass between meetups, more than either of them liked, but they would get together and everything would feel like old times again. “I’ll call you later, after bedtime, and you can vent that way.”
“Yeah. Sure.” Phoebe hung up.
Julia frowned as she turned off the car. Gathering her phone and water bottle, she opened the door, finding Jinx there already, catching it to hold it wider.
“Hey,” he said, his smile chasing away her lingering unease.
“Hey yourself.” She glanced down at her feet. “All I had were sneakers, so I hope this hike isn’t one I need special shoes for.”
He laughed. “I know you too well for that, Jules. I wouldn’t do that to you. It’s just a walk in some trees, with a nice lake at the end to dip our feet in.”
The image felt peaceful, maybe even a little fun. Some of her tension eased. “That actually sounds nice.”
“Want to come in and say hi to my mom?” he asked, closing the car door for her.
“Of course.” Julia fell into stride with him as they headed toward the still open door. “Your mom is one of my favorite people.” Mrs. Holden had been there for her when she wasscared as a child, but trying not to be. She’d lost Mr. Holden to an illness, back when Phoebe and Jinx were too young to remember, so she’d known what that kind of fear was like.
“She was excited when I told her we were hanging out today.” Jinx waved Julia through the door first, closing it behind them.
“Julia!” Mrs. Holden cried, coming in for a hug in the crowded entryway.
Julia hugged her back. “It’s nice to see you,” she said into her curly hair, which had more gray streaks than she remembered. It still smelled like suntan lotion, with that hint of coconut. The scent made Julia want to cling, but she forced herself to pull away.
Mrs. Holden’s hands lingered on Julia’s arms as she studied her face. She reached up and brushed a finger along her closely cropped hair. “I like the haircut.”
Julia laughed. “Oh, yeah. I chopped most of it off to get rid of the black.” She’d done it thinking her normal brown would make a better impression at her new job. What a joke. But she liked the short cut and now kept it trimmed for herself.
Her hands slid into the pockets of her black jeans. In the past, she would have dressed all in black, but she’d paired them with a white T-shirt, though the shirt had a black skull design made out of cats.
“You’re looking good.” Mrs. Holden led them toward the kitchen. “I was surprised when Jesse said he was dragging you out to where the bugs live.”
“Bugs?” Julia repeated, already feeling like something was crawling on her neck.
Jinx groaned. “Don’t mention the bugs, Mom!” He glanced at Julia. “Don’t worry, I already packed spray. It’s not that hot out yet, so it’ll be fine.”
“I can’t believe I agreed to this,” Julia muttered.
