Page 53 of Only This Once
She loved her mother but had a feeling she’d ask some pointed questions about her date with Jinx if she managed to corner her. Questions Julia should have been able to answer easily, but just looking at Jinx created a strange fluttering inside.
He fit. He’d always been happy around her family, but she’d forgotten just how much. Phoebe had complained every time Julia invited her brother along, but Julia had never liked leaving him alone in his own house whenever they played at hers.
A shoulder brushed against hers, and she glanced over at her big brother before leaning into him. Trenton was one ofthe kindest people she’d ever known, and he deserved all the happiness he’d found again with Celia.
“How’s being a big shot lawyer working for you lately?” she asked, hoping to stymy his own questions about her life. He cared, but she hated talking about herself.
“I’m not a big shot,” he said, turning to face her. “But the cases I’ve been working on are important to the clients.”
“They’re lucky to have you.” Julia wasn’t giving lip service. Trenton often took on pro bono cases to help women who couldn’t afford a divorce attorney and needed to sever their abusive relationships. Even though he was exposed to the toxic side of marriage, he never seemed to let it change his own optimism.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
She knew what he was asking and rolled her eyes. “I told you all, I’m fine. I made a mistake, and I’ll work my way through it. There’s no need to worry.”
“Did you give any more thought to what I mentioned?” His voice lowered as he glanced toward their mother, not that far away. “I really don’t think how the hospital handled things was right. The way you were treated compared to—”
“Stop, Trent,” she cut in, raising her hand. “Please.”
He sighed but nodded. “I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
“I’m not hurt.” The roiling in her stomach said otherwise. She got the same feeling whenever one of her past coworkers treated her like she was the worst person around. “I just feel stupid,” she said, which was true, too. There had been red flags she’d missed. “I got into bed with him. Just like I did with that professor.”
Trenton studied her, making her want to shift in place, but she held herself still as she lifted her chin.
“It feels different,” he finally said, frowning. “You fought for yourself last time. Held the university accountable for the suspension.”
Julia shook her head. “But it didn’t change anything, did it? I still had to make up that semester due to the weeks of classes I missed.” Her arms crossed in front of her, and she wished this conversation was over. “Besides, this timeisdifferent. I knew what I was doing.” Not at first, but she hadn’t stopped when she’d realized who he was. “I need to own my decision. We were raised that way.”
His green eyes remained steady on her face. “That sounds like you’re beating yourself up. This wasn’t just on you, Jules.”
Julia’s eyes warmed. She held still while he ruffled her hair.
“You’re great. I don’t want you to ever think otherwise.” He glanced over at Celia. “Other people’s opinions can eat at your self-confidence, and I don’t want that for you.”
She snorted. “Some might say my confidence could use a couple of knocks.”
He shook his head. “I love you just as you are.” His eyes flicked to her. “It was nice to see Jesse. Makes me want to take you both to get ice cream.”
She laughed. “I was remembering that the other day.” Her eyes found the figure with wildly curling blond hair. “I forgot how well he and Dad got along.”
“You two look comfortable together.”
“We should, after what we were up to last night.” Warmth slid through her just thinking about what they’d done.
“No details, Jules. Please.” Trenton looked a little green.
Julia grinned. “You’re such a prude sometimes. Poor Celia.”
“I’m not a prude, I just draw the line at talking about things like that with my sister. I’m very happy Mom was the one to give you the sex talk.”
Julia studied her happy and healthy mother. “Me too,” she murmured, feeling lucky all over again that their mother had healed.
Trenton’s arm came around her, giving her a squeeze.
She sighed. “Everything that happened recently, it reminded me why I should be the one and done type. I don’t need more.”
His eyes softened as he continued to look at Celia. “One day, I hope you meet someone who makes you feel different about that.”
