Until Amy - Jessica Ames Page 0,8

Harmony. He’s dead now, but it doesn’t stop the nightmares, nor does it stop me reliving what he did. I don’t blame Harmony for wanting to put the hospital behind her. I sometimes think I should have done the same.

I was also one of his victims. It’s how Harmony and I met and became friends, which seems like a strange way to start a relationship, but she’s been a great source of comfort for me since it happened and I hope I’ve been the same for her.

I’ve been wary about men, about getting too close to them, afraid it might happen again, which is why I should keep my distance from Shane. I should never have agreed to dinner and as soon as he messages me, I’m going to cancel our plans.

“I love it,” Harmony says, her eyes lighting up, the passion clear. “It’s sad sometimes, with the kids being so sick, but it’s rewarding in a lot of ways.” She takes a sip of her drink and I can’t help but smile at how settled she seems.

“How do you deal with Harlen’s lifestyle?” I ask after a moment, unable to keep my question from slipping out. I need to know.

She frowns at me, but then says, “It’s not an issue. Why?”

“I was just curious.”

Harmony eyes me and I see the suspicion in her gaze. “What’s going on with you?”

I’m not sure it’s a good idea to spill what’s going on with me, even to Harmony. From Cobi’s reaction to Shane at the accident scene no one is going to see this dinner as a good thing.

“Amy?” Harmony presses and I sigh.

“The accident I was in… There was a rider who was hit by a car.”

She gasps, probably thinking about Harlen and the risks he takes riding his motorcycle. “Was he hurt?”

“Nothing too serious. A broken wrist and bruises. But he and I… There was something between us I can’t explain. He asked me to dinner and I stupidly said yes.”

Harmony’s mouth pulls into a smirk. “You like him.”

“I do, but I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I can’t put myself in that position again. I can’t be vulnerable.”

Her face softens and she snags my hand. “Honey, you shouldn’t let that bastard Hofstadter take anything more from you. If you like this man you should see where it goes.”

I do like Shane. It seems weird, considering how short a time we were together, but my heart rate quickens whenever I think about him and the butterflies take flight in my belly.

“There’s one small problem—”

I break off as the fine hairs on my arms suddenly start to tingle. I twist around, trying to work out why my senses are suddenly on high alert and it’s then I see him.

Shane.

He’s strolling through the doors toward the counter. He looks amazing. His blond hair is cut short to his head and that jaw of his looks even more pronounced than it did before. His face is bruised from the accident, the stitches I put into his cheek still in place, but the way he carries himself, the confidence of his movements, makes me feel hot all over.

I’m not sure what to do. Part of me wants to rush over and say hi, but another part keeps my ass rooted to the chair. I shouldn’t get involved with a man like this, but I want him.

“You know that guy?” Harmony asks, snapping my attention back to her.

“That’s the rider I was just telling you about.”

Harmony’s eyes slide toward him and I let my eyes go back to him too. God, he’s so attractive, it should be illegal. The way his jeans hug his ass and thighs just right and the tight fit of the Henley he’s wearing under his leather vest make me feel light-headed.

“You more than like him,” Harmony caws at me.

I snap my eyes to her. “I do not.”

“You’re flushed.”

My hands go to my cheeks, which do feel hot to the touch.

“You’re smitten,” she accuses with a smile.

I am, but I don’t understand why.

“I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like when I met him my world tilted on its axis. I’ve never had such a strong reaction to a man before.”

She gives me a knowing smile. “It’s the BOOM.”

Her words don’t quite compute. What the heck is the BOOM?

“The what?”

“BOOM. He’s the one for you and no matter how you try to escape it, he’ll just keep coming back.”

I scoff at this. Is she crazy? “I only just met him.”

“Amy, you’re practically glowing. I’ve