Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Julian
Swallowing down my discontent, I covertly watch as the floral-print cream colored dress swishes along the back of Leena’s thighs as she and her friend are led away to a table close to the bar.
As they are walking away, I can faintly hear the woman with them say, “Let me get you seated, and then I’ll get you each a Showgirl while you decide on dinner. ”
I’m pulled from my staring by Alisha softly placing her hand over mine on the table. “That was kind of you to invite them to join us,” she says, soft and amiable, though I still try to contain the distaste from showing on my face from yet another subtle—and very unwelcome—advance.
I deftly move my hand from under hers and reach for my glass, nodding as I take a sip. I tune back into the conversation at the table.
“You can’t convince me those two aren’t together, or at least want to be. They are always joined at the hip. How convenient they live together,” Devin says with finger quotes at the end, her upper lip turned up with her thinly veiled disparaging remark.
I stiffen at the implication. Wait. Leena said she was single, but she could be in a situationship or have a friend with benefits arrangement. There was a closeness and comfort between the two women.
Grinding my jaw, I work on smothering my sudden jealousy as I glance back at them.
I clock how she gingerly crosses her feet and tucks them under her chair.
She peeks over her shoulder at our table.
When our eyes lock, she tucks her chin down, letting her hair fall over her face as she quickly turns away.
Huffing, Logan shoots back, “Oh, come on. They met at work, became friends, and later roommates. Just because two people click doesn’t mean they’re together. That would be like me saying you and Tasha are hooking up with how much time you two apparently spend together outside of work.”
“Logan’s right,” Connor adds with narrowed eyes, silently chastising her. “When they worked my room together, the only vibes they gave off were more like sisters. I don’t think that’s changed. Not that there’s anything wrong with them being together if that’s what they want.”
A wave of relief washes over me. I’ve known Connor for a while, and I may have only met Logan tonight, but I trust their take on Leena’s friendship with Charlie.
Now that the green fog has receded and I can think a little more clearly, I decide they are, in fact, not involved. Leena clearly has reservations about workplace romances. She genuinely seems adverse to them, unfortunately for me.
For what has to be at least the hundredth time today, I wonder how this woman has turned my world upside down in a matter of days.
I wanted to break Logan’s hand just for offering to check out her injured ankle.
I hate the thought of anyone else touching her, even in a clinical manner.
I remember how soft her skin was, how delicate her leg looked in my hands.
And I definitely can’t get the way she couldn’t hide her tremble and gasp in reaction to my touch out of my mind.
To be fair, Logan seemed like he actually wanted to help, and for that I am grateful.
It would kill me to know she’s still suffering because I accidentally hurt her.
I don’t miss the cattiness Devin is trying to pass off as dubiousness as she tries to hide an eyeroll with her drink. Or the look that passes between the two scrub techs at the table.
When Diego showed up for drinks earlier with Tasha, I didn’t question it. However, when a few of the other senior execs left and we stayed for dinner, I was surprised when Devin showed up. Seeing the look that passed between Connor and Logan had me wondering what the story was.
Sneaking another peek over at Leena, I see her and Charlie with their heads bent together, furiously whispering to one another.
They jump apart when a waitress sets down two martini glasses with light pink liquid and some kind of sugar rim.
I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my smile at her delighted clap before they lift their glasses in a toast. When her tongue darts out to lap up some rogue sugar from her lip, I clear my throat in an attempt to not imagine her using that tongue on me.
While fighting the fantasy that wants to play out in my head, I’m reminded of earlier today when she was tying up my gown in the OR.
The electricity that sizzled along my spine had me breaking out in goosebumps from the feel of her delicate fingers grazing my nape.
It was followed with a burst of frustration when she fled the room after time out.
Over the course of the day, that flicker has ignited into a raging inferno because I’m unsure how to proceed.
That blaze flares up again, hot and deep in my belly, as I sneak another glance in Leena’s direction.
She’s peeking over her shoulder again, the warm light from the flickering candle on the table giving her an ethereal glow.
Enchanted by the blush creeping up her cheeks and slight parting of her mouth, the hum of conversation around me fades away.
It’s just her and me and that feeling I haven’t been able to shake for two entire days.
With a downward sweep of her lashes, our connection is broken.
Sinking back against my seat, my index finger taps out a rhythm against my glass.
I know she has reservations about romantic entanglements in the workplace, but she’s cast a spell over me, and I cannot stop thinking about her.
I vow to show her how perfect we could be together, doing whatever I need to make her feel comfortable in giving me a chance, to prove to her there are exceptions to every rule, and I want to be hers.
While many relationships between people that work together can be messy, if both parties communicate honestly and respect one another, I don’t see why it can’t be successful.
I’ve seen relationships start and end while two people work together, and there have been instances of sinking into petty and juvenile situations that can be uncomfortable at best and unbearable at the worst of times for those around them.
But, I have also seen how a breakup can be handled with grace while continuing to respect the other professionally.
I’m sure it takes great effort and isn’t as easy as it looks, but that’s where maturity and respect come into play.
Jumping at the nudge of fingers against my thigh, I follow the arm up to Alisha who is tilting her head closer to mine.
With a coy smile, she says, “You’ve been pretty motivated to get started here as soon as possible.
You must really miss your family.” Her eyes flick down to my mouth, and she bites her lip before continuing.
“Or maybe someone else is making you anxious to be here.” She trails off, but I hear the question.
As the table quiets, I look around at the expectant faces waiting to hear my answer. All except Connor. “My family and I are extremely close, and I have missed being near my siblings, so yes, I’ve been very motivated to be closer to home.”
Movement over Logan’s shoulder causes me to look at Leena again.
I am anxious to get started here. My family is a big part of that reason.
But, for reasons I can’t fully explain, I think I have found a much more important one.
Even if three weeks away isn’t really that long, it may be just enough time for her to slip completely through my fingers.
She gracefully, but cautiously, stands and steps away from the table.
Clearing my throat, I glance around again.
“But there may be someone I’m excited to be closer to as well. ”
Connor shoots me a surprised look, and I simply grin and shrug my shoulders.
Looking back at Leena’s table, Charlie watches us—me—speculatively.
But she must see something she approves of, because with a conspiratorial wink, she flicks her head toward the elevator.
My eyes follow in that direction, and I see Leena slipping down a hallway.
Setting my napkin on the table and rising from my seat absentmindedly, I say, “Excuse me.” It’s as if an invisible string is pulling me in her direction. I need to see her again.
Ignoring the soft gasp that escapes Alisha, I follow slowly because I can practically feel her and Devin’s eyes on me.
I don’t need them, or anyone at the table, alerted to the fact I am in fact stalking Leena to the bathroom with that small encouragement from her best friend.
I’m not sure what my plan is, but I know I can’t waste this opportunity to see her one more time before I head back to Philly.
Maybe I can leave an indelible mark on her because she sure as hell has left one on me.
As I’m about to round the corner, I look back.
Charlie sips her drink with a smug smile.
Thankfully, no one at my table is looking in my direction, but I do notice two things.
The first is Logan discreetly looking over his shoulder in the direction of the girls’ table, his face softening for a moment when his eyes land on Charlie before he quickly turns back toward our group.
The other is Alisha frowning as she looks out the big picture windows overlooking Bayberry Park’s historical downtown strip.
A brief flicker of guilt niggles at me, but I shake it off. I’ve been attempting to keep a polite distance between us, wishing to send the message that I am not available to her. Even if the girl who has me falling all over myself for her has decided to not give me the time of day.
Here’s to hoping I can change that. The hallway is empty so I relax against the wall, settling in to wait for Leena.