Rescuing Jenna - Anna Blakely Page 0,14

for a long damn time. So, you’re off the hook.”

His brows rose. “The hook?”

“You’re here out of some sort of misplaced obligation to keep me safe. But you don’t owe me anything.”

“You think I came because I feel obligated?”

Jenna’s eyes softened a tiny bit. “I know you do. And as sweet as it is, I’m doing just fine without you.” She glanced at her watch. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m supposed to be meeting some of the other nurses downstairs for dinner.”

“You’re kicking me out?”

“No.” She jutted her adorable chin. “I’m asking you to leave.”

Chapter 3

Jenna submitted her final chart of the day, and it couldn’t come soon enough. To say her first week working at Gulfside Regional Medical Center had been eventful would be a major freaking understatement.

Over the course of the six-day stretch, she’d treated six gunshot wounds, seven stab wounds, a broken arm, broken wrist, and a multitude of other bumps, bruises, and abrasions. And all had resulted from some sort of criminal activity.

It wasn’t like she was new to the chaotic rush of a busy emergency room. Jenna kept busy in her ER back home, and she’d seen her fair share of violent crime victims… Just never so many in such a short period of time.

Adding to Jenna’s frustrations, her boss had done a complete one-eighty since her heartwarming welcome speech the day she’d first arrived.

At first, Taylore—Saje Staffing’s nurse manager—had come off as this sweet woman who cared about her nurses. It didn’t take long for Jenna and the others to realize that wasn’t always the case.

Taylore could be sweet and caring. She could also be a real bitch, which was the nucleus of problem. With the dawn of each new day, Jenna was never sure which Taylore she was going to get. That meant she and the other nurses continually found themselves walking on eggshells while also navigating throughout their shifts.

Gabe and Ellena were right. I never should’ve come here.

Not that Jenna would ever admit that to either of them. But, hey… at least she’d been too busy to think about Adrian.

After his surprise visit to her hotel room almost a week ago, the chaos of the unfamiliar hospital—and even Taylore’s unreliable personality—had been a welcomed distraction.

Deep down, Jenna knew Gabe and Ellena only wanted her to be safe, but for them to go behind her back and ask Adrian to come down here to watch over her had felt like a slap in the face.

Elle was like a sister to her, and Jenna loved Gabe like a brother. But damn it, she was an adult and could take care of herself. Something she’d promptly called and told them both the minute Adrian had left her room that night.

Gabe admitting he should’ve spoken to her about it, first. But Elle’s only response had been an unapologetic reminder that payback was a bitch. It took all of two seconds for Jenna to understand what her friend meant by that.

Back when Elle’s life was in danger, Jenna had arranged for Gabe to return to San Diego to help keep her friend safe…without Elle’s knowledge. Even though it all worked out in the end, Elle had used this opportunity to return the unwanted favor.

Jenna had tried explaining that the previous situation had been completely different from hers. Someone had actually been trying to kill Ellena back then. Not to mention, Gabe had been living states away and needed to get his head out of his ass and reconcile with his wife.

So Jenna had done what any good friend would do. She’d done what was necessary to keep her friend safe and helped get the stubborn couple back together.

Two birds, one stone, and a happy couple later, the two of them should’ve been thanking her. Not conspiring against her.

Not that any of it really mattered now, anyway. Gabe and Ellena understood they needed to respect her independent nature. Jenna understood her friends had meant well by sending Adrian here. And Adrian had left, just like she’d asked him to.

She’d gotten exactly what she wanted, so why did she have a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that she’d made a terrible mistake by sending him away?

Brushing it off, and more than ready to have a day off, Jenna went to the ER staff locker room to change.

Part of their travel contract included scrubs provided by the hospital. The extra perk was great and saved on her laundry expenses. The only downside was, it meant wearing