He murmured low so that only she could hear him. “It’s okay, you know. Meeting someone on the job you click with. As long as your contract doesn’t have a clause about workplace fraternization, that is.”
“How did you know it had to do with Lucas?”
“I’ve seen that look before. A number of my friends, including me, met our significant others where it was somehow connected to our jobs, some of them more directly than others. Just keep it out of the building and off the campus, and you should be fine.”
“It’s… uncomfortable.”
“I can imagine. You’re not just dealing with co-workers. You’re dealing with teenagers who aren’t always the most sensitive about relationships. And then there are the parents who may pass judgment without knowing anything that’s really going on, other than their vivid imaginations. You strike me, though, as someone with a cool head on your shoulders.”
“It’s more than that.” She hesitated, wondering what to share. “I worked at a station in New Orleans with my husband. It was not a good situation. He made working there uncomfortable while we were married, and then when we got divorced, it was ten times worse.”
“Little bit of relationship PTSD going on?”
“You could say that. Right now, this thing with Lucas… It’s very new. We haven’t even been on an actual date. Just dinner at his house on Wednesday between school activities, and his son was there. As for work, we’ve both agreed to keep it to ourselves.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it in hand.”
They had worked their way to the end of the visitor stands and had just made the turn to go toward the home side when suddenly, her body went solid and her jaw went tight.
At the end of the turn, Lucas stood talking to a couple, and by his side was Jess. Just then, he looked down at Jess and threw an arm around her shoulders, his face alight with laughter, and she had an arm around his waist and was looking up at him the same way.
She tensed further.
“E,” Quint growled. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”
She knew that. She also knew he had been very clear with her that they were just friends. Ezra had established that as well. Intellectually, she knew. But it was so hard, though, when she’d been through what she had. All her insecurities came barreling to the front after Knox’s lies, gaslighting, and infidelities.
As the laughter died down, Lucas took his arm from around Jess’ shoulders, and she dropped hers from around his waist. The conversation continued, but she saw him look in her direction. When he saw her, he smiled, the expression lighting up his face. However, when she didn’t smile back, she saw him freeze, and his expression changed to confusion. He must havequickly realized that she’d seen the two of them in the close embrace because he gave her an infinitesimal shake of his head, letting her know it was not what it looked like.
With a deep, cleansing breath, she stamped down the initial reactionary panic. There was no surprise or fear in his eyes. More the opposite. When he saw her, he was obviously thrilled. The next time they were alone, she bet he would tell her exactly what had prompted the familiarity, and it would be a reasonable explanation.
She had to give him the benefit of the doubt. He wasn’t Knox. She’d probably have to keep reminding herself of that point for a while, but in her heart, she knew Lucas wasn’t like him in the least.
“Dr. Vaughn,” she greeted him when she came up alongside him. “Hello, Jess.”
“Hello, Elyxandre,” she replied. The woman cast a quick, worried look at Lucas and took another small step away from him. Was Jess worried that she’d seen them and gotten the wrong idea?
“Officer Hookstead,” he returned. “Everything okay?”
She understood the question’s double meaning.
“So far.” She looked at Jess and the couple. “Enjoy the game.”
She and Quint continued down the home sideline.
If they were going to try to explore some sort of relationship, she needed to not make assumptions. She made the leap of faith to trust him. She just hoped she wasn’t making a mistake.
A REUNION WITH THE DEVIL
LUCAS
The couple saidtheir goodbyes before he could, and that left him alone—as alone as you could be in a crowd—with Jess. What should he do?
“I’m so sorry, Lucas.”
He looked down into Jess’ apologetic face. “For what?”
“You know what. I saw your face when you looked up and saw her standing there. You glowed. I’ve never seen you look that happy to see someone, except maybe Ezra.”
