Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
I kick off my shoes and strip out of my clothes, scooting in behind her. “Julianna, I’m not going anywhere. What happened earlier doesn’t turn me off.”
She relaxes into me, linking her fingers with mine. “Love you, Major,” she whispers, dozing off.
I kiss the skin on her shoulder, inhaling the scent of her body lotion. Even sick, the woman goes through her routine. My mind goes back to when I arrived home and found my bed empty.
It’s understandable that Jewls came to her own place. She loves her space and independence. But if she was at the house, Harley would have been with her. I haven’t given much thought to the plans for my future house, but tonight that’s changed.
We all knew it was coming. The look on Ace’s face when we dropped him at his new place where Harley was waiting at the door was telling. He’s ready to move on. Hell, he’s waited his whole life for this.
For the first time, I was envious of him, knowing he built a house for the woman he loves and will come home to every day.
I fucking want that.
A plan formulates and the tension finally eases away.
It’s time to make some calls and get the ball rolling.
26
Jewls
“Miss Keller?” The perky girl behind the desk lights up like she’s greeting a celebrity.
“That’s me.” As hard as I try, I can’t muster the energy to return her pep.
“Oh, man, it’s a good thing you’re here.” She hands over a brochure. “Have you ever tried IV Therapy?”
“First timer.” A sense of dread fills me at the menu of countless options. “How do I choose?”
“We have professionals to help with that. Follow me.”
The décor is exactly as you’d expect of an upscale medical spa in this area of Nashville—serene, swanky, and luxurious. Peppy Polly leads me into a private room with a plush recliner that looks like pure heaven.
“Make yourself comfortable. Zanie will be right in.”
I sink into the oversized chair and swallow back a groan. This is the most comfortable chair ever created.
The sounds of the ocean and the velvety soft leather instantly lull me into relaxation and comfort. It’s been ages since my body has felt this kind of rest. I almost cry when the door opens and I have to socialize. One eye squints open to find a middle-aged nurse grinning knowingly at me.
“The chair is always a customer favorite.”
“Can you add it to my bill and help me load it when we’re done?”
She laughs. “I can do better. I’ll give you the name of the dealer, and they can deliver it without you lifting a finger.”
“You’re officially my new best friend.”
“A job I will take seriously, Miss Keller.”
“Jewls, best friends are on a first-name basis.”
“Okay, Jewls. How about answering a few questions so I can rock your world? Let’s begin with why you’re here. Your file states you’re fighting fatigue?”
“My job has been crazy, and I work three nights a week at a busy bar. My best friend is getting married next month.”
“You’re overextending yourself then?”
“It didn’t feel that way until recently. I had food poisoning last Sunday, which sucked the life out of me.”
“Food poisoning is rough. Any other lingering symptoms?”
“Mental and physical fatigue. I haven’t had an appetite since.”
“Sunday was four days ago.”
“I can’t seem to shake the ickiness. In about two hours, I have to sling drinks to a crowd of rowdy cops finishing their week.”
“So, maybe a therapy with an energy booster?”
“Sounds great.”
Long-lasting energy is exactly what I need. The only time I get a surge of energy is when Major is around. I can’t get enough of him.
My body tingles, thinking about attacking him this morning as soon as he walked through my door.
“Whatever is on your mind has me blushing.”
Heat floods my cheeks and I wave her off. “Zanie, you are way too innocent for me to corrupt you on our first day of being BFFs.”
“I have four kids, honey. Don’t let the scrubs and sweet smile fool you. Now, lie back and get ready for me to perform miracles.”
She slides open a cabinet, revealing a cooler filled with liquid bags. Her technique is smooth, inserting the needle without even a pinch and setting up the IV. She hands me a bottle of seltzer water and leaves with a wink.
It’s easy to lapse back into a state of relaxation, letting my head clear. All too soon, she’s back, carrying a file. The spry jokester from earlier is gone. One look at her blank face and pinched lips, and the last hour of relaxed bliss vanishes. She removes the IV, adheres a bandage, and disposes of the empty bag—all without a word.
“Is there something wrong?”
“I hope not.”
“Why do you look like my high school principal when she told me she was withholding my diploma until I cleaned up the epic glitter bomb that exploded in the science lab?”