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As she walked inside, blindly walking down the hallway, she disappeared into the bathroom and locked the door behind her – gulping down several breaths trying to keep from panicking.
Jax was gorgeous… and that was a huge problem! She didn’t want to like him as a person and then find out that he was handsome to boot! No, she needed to play it cool, avoid him at all costs, and then blow him off – period.
As she stood there, taking several breaths and thinking… she heard voices in the distance and someone throwing up?
The bathroom window was vented, and she hesitated, listening.
“Seriously, dude? You are puking?”
“Shut up and go away…”
“Isn’t that the girl you are talking to? I thought Karen said she was really happy to get your emails?”
“Didn’t you see her face? She doesn’t want to meet me…”
Mary sucked in her breath at the raw desolation in his voice.
“Just leave me alone, Firefly…”
“Dude, just go say ‘hello’and play it cool. Be a friend – that’s all…”
“She’s so incredibly beautiful and I never thought…”
Mary put a hand over her mouth to hide her gasp – and the other unwittingly lay across her heart protectively. He thought she was beautiful… from just one look?
Joe used to tell her that she was ‘passingly fair’to be around.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa there, Ghost,” the man said, laughing openly. “I’m gonna stop you right there. If you go and tell her that you are ga-ga for her? You are going to run her right off. Be calm, casual, and just a friend. Let her get to know you and become your friend in return. You said she wrote you back?”
“Yeah.”
“Melody and I talked for months before anything progressed – and I’m glad of it. We both needed time. If your friend is scared, give her space. Besides, you are only here for a few days. Say hi, make an impression, and then retreat.”
“But what if…”
“Dude, don’t force things, no matter how much you want to – be a friend, and right now neither of you is in a place to start a relationship,” Firefly said again, and this time his voice was firm. “Now, wipe your mouth, breathe, and gargle with something, because that’s just nasty. If we were camping, I’d hand you a shovel. At least you vomited away from the others…”
“Tell them I got some bad food or something…”
“We’ve all been in your shoes, and no one is going to ask for an explanation. Right now, there is a very panicked young lady who is scared and probably desperately needs a beer. Why don’t you get her one – and say ‘hello’…”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, because all friendships start with a hello… even ours did, my friend.”
“I’m such a loser,” the man laughed nervously.
“No, you are a dork with your head in the clouds – and the best guy I’ve ever met. Now, pull yourself together… and go rescue your friend.”
Mary stood there in the bathroom, staring at her reflection as she realized that she wasn’t going to be able to hide from him or anyone else much longer. No, she needed to get out of here and keep from being cornered by the handsome man that felt like a threat.
Washing her hands and her face, she patted it dry, and then yanked open the bathroom door to make her escape – only to come face to face with Jax, who looked shocked once again.
“M-Mary?” he said nervously, giving her a shy smile. She watched as he juggled the two brown bottles of beer, tucking them against his chest with one arm while extending his hand politely towards her. “It’s nice to meet you. Do you want a beer?”
“I don’t drink,” she whispered, hesitating. “Actually, yes. I think I do want one.”
His hand was still there between them, extended and waiting.
