“Just give it a second, then we’ll see if you’re fine.” Jerica put a hand on Bridget’s cheek, turning her face so Bridget stared up into those light brown eyes. “Take a deep breath.”
“I’m fine.”
“You just fell down.”
“She what?” Eli’s shrill voice echoed through the den. “What were you thinking?”
“I said I’m fine!” Bridget nearly yelled it but bit back most of her volume at the last minute.
Both Jerica and Eli backed up, thankfully, giving Bridget the much-needed space. Her ankle hurt the worst, but that was probably from twisting it as she landed and having it land perfectly on the fucking step. Without a word, Bridget bent her knee and moved her injured ankle so she could put it into a better angle.
“Help me up, Eli.” Bridget shot Jerica a look, knowing she’d be better at this, but she trusted Eli. She knew Eli. She couldn’t very well have Jerica help her up on their date. Eli got her standing, held onto her hips while Jerica moved the scooter over. Bridget remained silent as she used the scooter to get to the couch, where she sat, absolutely ashamed. The date needed to end, and she needed to manage to get herself into the basement where she could crawl in a hole and never come out.
“Bridge, you okay?” Eli asked.
“I’m fine,” she answered, her face covered by her hands.
She wasn’t sure what happened next, but someone left and someone sat next to her. When she dared to peek, she found Jerica watching her carefully. “What card game are we playing?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend like this is fine. It’s a disaster and we’re not even ten minutes in.”
Jerica pressed her lips together, then reached out and settled her hand on Bridget’s thigh. “Here’s the thing, Bridget, and I want you to understand this. I really like you. I don’t know what it is about you, because you were my patient, and I’ve never done anything like this before with a patient, but…I really like you. I realize you’re not exactly at the best place to woo me like you may be used to with other women, but I don’t need to be wooed. I need you to be you.”
Bridget’s lips parted unexpectedly. She didn’t know what to say, other than she didn’t quite know who she was, but she knew that wouldn’t go over well. Nodding, Bridget eased the tension in her muscles. “The cards are on the bookshelf over there.”
“Good.” Jerica winked before she got up to retrieve them.
They were halfway through their game of poker when the front door flung open, slamming into the far wall. Bridget jumped, every nerve in her body on edge as she reached for the weapon that wasn’t on her hip. Jerica stared wide-eyed at the door as a black bull with white horns and dark beady eyes stared them down. He snorted at them as he put one hoof inside the house, then the next.
Bridget’s heart raced. She shifted on the couch, spinning so she could keep the bull in full view. His head was down as if he was going to charge, in which case she wouldn’t stand a chance. Her voice caught in her throat, otherwise she would have yelled for Eli, even though that probably wasn’t a good idea. She could scare him or piss him off more, and then he would come right at her.
Jerica gripped Bridget’s hand tightly, her fingers squeezing as she gripped hard. Bridget took slow breaths, moving into work mode. The bull stepped all the way inside the front entrance, his huge body blocking the entire door. They were lucky no one else was down there except the two of them.
“Eli!” Bridget croaked out. The bull jerked his head right at her. She didn’t look him right in the eye, scared it would set him off, but she kept her gaze in his direction so she would know if he started coming at her. She tried again. “Eli!”
“Wha—for fuck’s sake, Buddy, get the hell out of my house.” Eli came around the corner with her hands on her hips, glaring at the giant bull. She clapped her hands at him and walked closer as he backed up. “Get out! You know better than this!”
The bull snorted but raised his head at her twice before he was out on the porch. Eli frowned and shut the door, turning on them. “Sorry. He has zero manners.”
“I’ve never…” Jerica lost her voice. “I’ve never had that happen before.”
“Well, they get pretty friendly around here sometimes, but this asshole takes the cake. I knew I should have sold him when I had the chance.”
“Why didn’t you?” Bridget asked, not sure she was ready for the answer.
“Love.” Eli spat the word out like it was a curse. Then she grabbed her jacket off the hook and went out the front door.
Jerica and Bridget sat in stunned silence for a full minute before Bridget finally spoke. “I feel like we should end this and never speak of it again.”
“Are you kidding?” Jerica’s eyes went wide. “This is epic first date material.”
“This is an awful first date.”
Jerica giggled. “Bridget, look on the bright side for once.”