Page 6 of Only This Once
She watched one of the nurses hit on him. She didn’t blame the woman. Jinx got the attention he deserved. His curly blond hair, shorter frame, and slimmer body weren’t the traditional masculine good looks, but his smile and eyes more than made upfor it, and he had really nice shoulders. Besides, he was someone it just felt good to be around. That didn’t seem to have changed.
Neither had his shyness. She watched him choke on a sip of his drink and blush at whatever the nurse whispered in his ear. His Adam’s apple bounced when he swallowed. When had it become that prominent? She liked necks the most, especially if they were sensitive when she nibbled on them.
Which was a thought that didn’t belong at all with Jinx. She turned toward the nearby table, where a guy was eyeing her with interest. The smile she threw him was automatic, but her heart wasn’t in it. Tonight was a bust all around. She should leave. She’d been watching Jinx way too long. Soon it’d turn creepy.
“Hey,” Jinx said by her elbow.
She turned, surprised to find him so close, but then caught the frown of the girl who had been flirting with him. “Using me as cover again?”
He laughed, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Did I really used to do that?”
“Not much,” she said, wanting to put him at ease. “You liked to face things head-on most of the time.” The nurse’s frown turned into a scowl, and Julia’s stomach twisted. “I should warn you, though, hanging around me won’t earn you any friends. I’m not well liked at the hospital.”
His brows drew together, and he stepped closer instead of away like he should. “Why? You’re great, Jules. What’s their problem?” He started to turn a frown on the table, and she grabbed his arm.
“No, don’t align yourself with me. It’s okay, really.” She patted his shoulder before releasing him. “It’s not their fault. It’s mine. I’ll have to build their respect back. It’s only right.”
His lips tilted. “And Julia Caldwell always tries to do what’s right.”
She shook her head. “Tries is the right word. I fucked up this time and have to own it.” She nodded toward the table. “It’s good to make friends at work. Don’t mess things up on my account.”
“I’ll always choose you, Jules. We’re friends, aren’t we? More than, with how often our families got together.” His eyes searched hers. “Or has too much time passed?”
“It hasn’t been too long. I missed you.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Is that corny to say?”
“I missed you, too.” His smile bloomed, taking over his face, looking familiar and yet changed. “We should catch up. What if—”
“Jesse!” a woman from the table whined, grabbing his arm. “Someone said you’re the DD tonight.”
Jinx’s arm tensed under her hold, and he shifted. “Oh, yeah. I don’t drink anyway, so I can drive anyone home who needs it.”
Julia eyed the swaying girl with her dazed eyes. “She definitely shouldn’t drive.”
“Yeah, I want you to take me home.” The woman leaned into him, practically kissing his ear. “I want you to take me to bed, too. We could do all sorts of things.”
Jinx didn’t flush this time. His skin grew pale, and there was a glassy look in his eyes that twisted Julia’s stomach.
“Oh, well, no, it wouldn’t be like that,” Jinx stuttered, trying to pull away but not getting very far when the woman’s grip tightened. “I’d just be dropping you off. That’s all.”
The woman pressed her breasts against the arm she held captive. “What if I ask really nicely?” Her lips tapped his ear again, her whisper still much too loud. “I can make you feel so good.”
“I’ll take you home,” Julia cut in.
The woman blinked at her.
Julia grabbed her arm, dragging it away from Jinx and using it to turn her toward the door. “I know where you live. I dropped off your drunk ass a couple of months ago.”
The woman pouted, swaying on her feet. “I don’t want to go with you.”
Julia prodded her forward. “Too bad. You can’t drive.” She kept the woman from falling when she stumbled. “And I can tell you all about how you can’t actually consent to anything while you’re intoxicated.”
“Thanks, Jules,” Jinx murmured behind her.
Julia grinned back at him, glad to see the color returning to his face. “I never mind saving you. My number hasn’t changed if you want to catch up more.” She sent him a little wave.
She’d had the same cell phone number since she first got a phone as a teenager, and Jinx had always had it. He hadn’t called once in the four years he was away. She pushed that thought down as she caught the drunk woman again and herded her to the door.
Chapter 2
