Page 82 of Only This Once
Julia shook her head. “It wasn’t bad last time, and Jinx likes it.”
Jesse fought the urge to throw his arms around her. This was bad. It was like she was encouraging him to fall for her even more. “We can do something else,” he offered.
Julia shook her head. “This is what I want to do. You like it by the lake, right?”
He liked the area even better now that it held memories of their first kiss. “Yeah.”
Phoebe cleared her throat, straightening away from him. “That’s my cue to get out of your hair. I’m going to find Charles to say ‘hi’ first. You two have fun.”
“You could come with us,” Jesse offered, even though it was the opposite of what he wanted.
“No, she can’t.” Julia didn’t blush often, but when she did, it was only her ears that turned red, like they were doing now. “I want it to be just the two of us. Like a date.”
Jesse’s mouth went dry. He swallowed, trying to find his voice. “O-oh. Okay.”
Phoebe frowned at Julia. “You better not hurt my little brother.”
Julia’s smile faded. She stepped closer to him. “Kind of ironic, you saying that.”
“I already apologized,” Phoebe said. “Besides, I’m his sister. It’s different.” She turned her back on them. “Enjoy your date.”
Jesse watched her move deeper into the house.
“Was it her idea to apologize, or did Charles nag her into it?” Julia asked.
That… wasn’t completely out of the realm. “I think she’s really trying.”
Julia brushed his curl back from his forehead. His skin tingled from her touch. “It’s good, if she’s trying. You okay?”
“Yeah,” he mumbled, clearing his throat. “Spending time with you makes everything better.”
Julia bit her lip.
Some of Jesse’s nerves returned. Had she come to make it clear they weren’t more than friends? No, she wouldn’t have said it was a date then. His pulse pounded in his ears as hope flaredinside. “We don’t have to go hiking, if you’d rather do something else.”
“Today is for you,” Julia said. “Besides, I have fond memories of that lake.” Her smile had a tilt to it that made warmth flood his cheeks. She took his hand, tugging him toward the door. “Come on.”
Jesse didn’t resist. He’d follow her anywhere.
Chapter 24
The kingfisher flared its mohawk-like feathers before letting out a series of strident rattling chirps and winging away from the branch. Julia patted Jinx’s riot of curls. “That bird’s got nothing on you.”
Jinx laughed, lifting his hand to hover over his head. “I should cut it soon.”
She ran her fingers over it again before grabbing his hand. “Don’t do it on my account. I like your hair.”
He glanced at her as they walked the last part of the trail holding hands. “Are you going to keep yours short?”
She shrugged. “It’s easy to take care of.” She fiddled with a piece above her ear. “I kind of miss my ponytail. I only cut it to get the black dye out.”
“You look good either way.” Jinx pushed a branch out of their way, and the lake came into view. Light didn’t sparkle on it in the same way as it had the last time. The afternoon sun had dipped behind the clouds.
They both let out a breath at the sight. Their easy hike had felt simple, companionable. She liked being around him, no matter what they were doing. The reminder of that soothed some of her nerves.
Jinx started to lead her toward the rock they’d sat on last time, but Julia tugged him back.
“No, you don’t. I don’t want to fish you out a third time. Let’s sit on the grass and chill for a while.” She let go of his hand, suddenly realizing she’d been holding it like a couple. It hadn’t felt weird or anything, but they weren’t a couple, not really. She glanced into his face, finding him smiling at her.
