“You poor thing.” She sounded anything but sympathetic. “I think maybe you two should talk about this. See if there aren’t a few things you could clear up, just to make the working relationship smoother.” She paused and then added, “And then you can jump his bones to stave off some of that sexual tension between you.”
“You’re crazy, girl, and you’re also way off base.” I closed my eyes and rested my head against the seatback. “Deacon doesn’t see me as anything but a major pain in his ass. And while I am perfectly willing to admit that he’s very easy on the eyes . . .” I pictured the way the muscles in his crossed arms had bulged as he’d talked to me this afternoon. “. . . that doesn’t mean I’m ready to tango with him.”
“Aren’t you, though?” Jenny mused. “C’mon. You have to say, even a one-night hook-up with him would be pretty amazing. It would give you a lot to remember, I bet.”
“Maybe, but it wouldn’t be worth the trouble, no matter how pretty the packaging is.”
“Hmm.” Jenny was noncommittal. “Listen, Em, I’d invite you over to drown your sorrows with me in the pool and a couple of beers, but—” She broke off and lowered her voice as though anyone was going to overhear her. “I think Nico might drive over tonight.”
“I thought you just saw him today?” I knew it wasn’t right, but I’d been hoping Jennywouldask me over tonight. Aside from the appeal of the pool and the booze, I wouldn’t have minded venting about Deacon a little more.
“I did, but you know, we got kind of revved up with that make-out session in his car, and so he said he might come by after work.” She didn’t sound at all sorry. The vibe I got was totally anticipatory.
“It’s okay. I appreciate the thought, but I need to get some work done around here tonight. I finally got some info on applying to have electric, water and sewer run out here, and I’d like to get those done sooner than later.”
“Sounds like a very good plan. I’ll be in extra-early tomorrow so we can get that PICC line taken care of right away, okay?”
“Thanks, Jenny. That would be great.” I turned off the engine and swung open my car door. “See you tomorrow.”
* * *
I had trouble falling asleep that night, which I blamed on the heat and a blaring headache courtesy of the forms I’d tried to fill out by the light of a dim gas lantern. It was entirely possible, though, that my tiff with Deacon had something to do with my tossing and turning, too.
I finally fell into a deep sleep around four in the morning. When I opened my eyes again, I knew right away that something was wrong. It was entirely too light in the trailer, and I felt far too rested.
“Shit!” I ground out the curse as I jumped out of bed and reached into the closet for the first thing I could find. The clock on my makeshift nightstand told me that I had absolutely zero chance of getting to the hospital at my usual time, even if I leaped into my car now in my pajamas and bed head . . . and even if every light between here and there were green. Not likely.
Even though I was already late, I didn’t drag my feet getting ready. I had to shower off—a night sleeping in the heat always left me feeling like a sweaty mess—and after I was as dry as I could manage, I pulled a sundress over my head, slid my feet into flat sandals and managed to brush my hair into a high ponytail to keep it off my neck. A spritz of body spray, and I was on the road, flooring it as my car bumped along the dirt road.
Of course, the only open spot to park was as far away as possible from the entrance to the hospital. I half-walked, half-sprinted up the walk, panting. Just outside the door, I lost one shoe and had to step backward to find it.
“Whoa there, Cinderella.” Noah caught my arm, gazing down at me in bemusement. “Where’s the fire?”
“Ack.” I clung to his elbow for balance as I tried to fix my shoe. “I overslept. I wanted to be there to see Angela before she got her line this morning.”
“Yeah, well, you’re too late for that.” He didn’t say it with any malice. “I saw her for just a few minutes before Jenny came in to get started.” Noah smiled. “Ang was good. She was calm and rested. I think it was the right call.”
“I hope so.” I stood still for a moment, my hand on Noah’s arm, drawing needed strength and peace from his warmth. “I’m sorry if my suggestion put either of you in an uncomfortable position with Dr. Girard. We sort of . . . got our wires crossed.”
“Nah.” Noah covered my fingers with his own. “Don’t sweat it. Deacon feels responsible for Angela’s care, because he’s the one who suggested that she move over here, to his baby. He’s very hands-on for everyone, I think, but he’s especially that way toward Ang. She appreciates it—we both do—but we also know that sometimes, he can be a little possessive of her care.”
“Everyone wants the best for Angela. Everyone who meets her can’t help loving her.” I tightened my hand on his arm. “That means we work extra hard, and we all want to think our way is the right one.”
Behind me, I heard the sound of someone clearing his throat, and I stepped back from Noah out of instinct. Deacon stood just outside the doorway, his eyes flickering between Noah and me.
“Hey, Deacon.” Noah, oblivious to any undercurrent, rocked back on his heels and hooked his thumbs into his belt loops. “Everything okay?”
“Yes.” Deacon nodded. “It was quick and uneventful, and Angela’s having breakfast. She said if you’d like to join her, you can have her bacon.”
“Sweet.” Relief flooded Noah’s face. “I’m going in there, then. See you later, Emma. Deacon.” He moved swiftly around Deacon and disappeared through the door.
“I should go in, too.” I hitched my bag higher on my shoulder. “I slept through my alarm this morning, and now I’m going to be behind on everything.” I hesitated for a second, waiting for him to say something else, to pick up our conversation from the day before, but he remained silent. I swallowed what was either disappointment or satisfaction and walked past him into the hospital. My arm brushed his, and for a moment, I breathed in his scent, all the while trying to ignore the way my heart sped up at his proximity and the echo of Jenny’s voice in my head.
Jump his bones and stave off that sexual tension.
Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Even if I admitted to myself that right now, all I wanted was for Deacon to grab my arm, spin me around and press me against his long, hard body, that wasn’t going to solve anything for us.
But on the other hand, piped up an evil little voice inside of my brain, it just might ease this growing need I was fighting so hard . . .
