Back in the Saddle : (Jessica Brodie #1)

Chapter 16

Candace and I let Ty walk ahead of us.

"Okay," she said conspiratorially, "I don't know what happened between y'all, but you look really good tonight. So, I'll go in front of you so he can't see you until the last minute. Then I'll just step away and he can see you all at once."

"Candace, just... let's walk together. Tell me a funny story and keep me entertained so I don't have to notice him until the last minute, okay?"

"Oh, okay. Got it." She looked toward the sky, shuffling through the stories in her head. "Did I ever tell you about when Juniper was trying to get the stuck cookie from the vending machine?"

"No." I was already smiling.

"Well," we started walking, "she put in for the chocolate chip cookie, right? The thing stuck-I mean, they always do. Everyone knows that! But she got all pissed off-"

"Excuse me, ma'am?"

A man about my age and fairly attractive was trying to get my attention. Perfect timing.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I just noticed you at the bar, there. You with anyone?"

"Candace, I'll meet up with you," I said as I turned toward the almost-handsome stranger.

"Okay," Candace said with a smirk as she walked off.

"I'm Phillip." He stuck out his hand.

"Hi. Jessica." I shook his hand. It was soft and thin. He probably worked on computers or something. I hated that that bothered me.

We chatted long enough for me to find out that he was about as interesting as a children's book about worms. I kept at it for another few minutes, though, just to keep up appearances. Plus, it felt good, being wanted.

I wrapped up my chat, avoided the number exchange, and headed to our corner with a hop in my step, feeling indestructible. Which was me lying to myself. I hoped it was working for the sake of my facial expression.

As I walked between two guys, both turning to check me out, I saw him. He was wearing the same thing as the hospital. God, he was so beautiful when he smiled like that.

An inexplicable sadness shadowed me. I forgot to be looking elsewhere when I came into view. I couldn't help but admire his perfect form, his carefree stance, his engaging blue eyes as he noticed me.

His eyes didn't look over my body like the other guys or even Candace had. He didn't notice the dress and how good I looked in it. Not even my breasts, trying to break free, caught his notice. He looked at me with a faltering smile, closing the distance with the intensity of his eyes, before turning back to Adam.

I wilted. I wanted to shrivel where I stood and died. I felt hollow. I felt like I wasn't enough. Not even looking sensational got me a longer glance. And it was just that. A glance. A skim of the eyes.

Adam looked at me next, his mild eyes taking in my pain without shock. I smiled, trying to hide my misery, trying not to reduce to tears. His face didn't change, though. Somewhere along the way, Adam learned to recognize my distress.

Not that it was a big mystery where he found the knack.

I got to the table and leaned over to tell Candace and Ty I would be leaving. Before I could get the words out, Candace's gaze switched to over my shoulder. Her supportive gaze turned to a glare.

I straightened up and turned around rigidly.

"Hi, Jessica," William said stoically.

"Hi, William," I mocked, sounding slightly like a robot.