Page 18 of Serial Burn

“I’ll get that bag Lainie said you needed.”

She nodded and winced. Then glanced at the door. Staff and patrons rubbernecked trying to get a glimpse of whatever was causing such a commotion. “Talk to Tamryn. She saw the guy, I think.”

“She did,” Lainie said. “She’s the one who saw you leave with Beanie Man and alerted us to the fact that not all was well.”

“Beanie Man?”

Lainie quirked a tight smile at her. “It’s nicer than some of the names I could call him.”

Jesslyn huffed a soft laugh. “Yeah. I’ll have to thank Tamryn.”

“We all will,” Nathan said.

Kenzie was pacing the parking lot, phone pressed to her ear. She finally hung up and stopped in front of Cole, who leaned in to listen. Nathan would love to know what they were talking about. Probably requesting the security footage ASAP.

The ambulance arrived. “Who called them?” Jesslyn asked.

“I did,” Tamryn said, stepping over to her. “My manager told me to.”

“Oh, thanks, but I’m all right.”

“They can at least put a bandage on that. Please,” she said, “it would make me feel better. I can’t believe I didn’t act faster ... I’m sorry. It just didn’t occur to me that you were in trouble.”

“It’s not your fault, Tamryn.”

“Come on, Jess,” Lainie said, taking her arm. “Might as well, now that they’re here. It’ll save me from having to follow you home to do it.”

Steph took the other arm. “And me to make sure she does it right.”

Jesslyn quirked a smile at the three ladies, but Nathan caught her desire to run in her eyes before she blinked it away. “Sure. Fine.”

Kristine walked over to him while the paramedics worked on Jesslyn. “She’s a good one.”

“I think so.”

“I know you do. She’s also got baggage, so unless you’re prepared to deal with that, leave her alone, okay?”

He cut her a sideways look. Her tone wasn’t mean, just matter-of-fact. He could appreciate that. “Jesslyn would probably rake you over the coals for saying that. Not because you said it—she wouldn’t care about that—but because of the whole protective thing. You might be stepping just a little too close to the boundary she doesn’t allow many people to cross.”

She snorted, then laughed. “I see you know her better than I thought you did. Interesting.”

The calculating look in her eyes made him chuckle. “Don’t gothere. We’re just friends. And I’m not sure Idoknow her that well. But Iamobservant.”

“Because you want to be more than friends.”

“I see you’re observant as well.” He turned serious. “She’s not ready for anything more than friendship. I’m okay with that for now.”

She nodded. “All right then. I’ll get back in my lane.”

Nathan left her and walked to the ambulance. Jesslyn raked a hand over her hair and tightened her ponytail with a wince. Nathan grimaced for her. She was going to have to change that habit until she healed up.

Once they finished up all the legal necessities, Nathan nudged her gently with his shoulder. “Take inventory and decide if you feel like driving or need someone to chauffeur you.”

She paused, touching her bandaged head. “I think I’m all right. I’m not dizzy or anything.”

“Okay. I think someone should follow you, though. Just to make sure you get there and get settled.”

“I’m not going home. I’ve got a job to do.”

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