"Well, so much for being subtle, huh?" April said, continuing to heckle her friend.
"Yeah, well no more alcohol for me, either." Jami replied.
April continued to find amusement in the current situation. After kissing Joe, Jami couldn't say it was a regret, but she knew there were consequences to her actions, too. Like the feeling she had sitting in the pit of her stomach right now. In all truthfulness, the kiss was mind-blowing. Earth shattering, even. However, she had never crossed the line with a patient before, and while there were no provisions that prohibited her from having a relationship with or being intimate with a patient, it allowed lines to become more blurred than they already were.
April noticed the look of worry and concern written across Jami's face. She shifted in the seat, facing the other woman and grabbed her friend's hand.
"Jami, it's ok. Things like this happen. Honey, you had a little to drink, you kissed a guy…."
"My patient." Jami corrected.
"Ok, you're patient. Jami, it really isn't that bad. What is really eating at you?" April asked.
"It's just everything, Ape. Like, I've been able to withstand his flirting and his jokes and just, everything he has thrown my way. One night of cocktails out with you, and I kiss him?!" Jami almost shouted. "Like, not only do I need to be professional about this all, but I just threw myself at him. I don't want him to think of me as some easy chick or anything. I have substance and morals and values."
"Jami, you've worked with him for almost a month now. He has to realize you had a moment of… Oh, what's the right word?" April said, her wheels turning for the correct word to be sensitive to Jami, in fear she may say the wrong thing. "He knows you aren't easy, honey. I'm sure of it."
"Ape, that the exact opposite of what I want him to think of me." Jami said, slouching further into the seat.
"Take the weekend and sleep on it. Don't make any rash decisions and when you see him at his next appointment this week, just approach it lightly." April said, offering what advice she could on the subject.
"I know, you're probably right." Jami said, releasing her buckle. She hugged her friend tightly and reached for the door. "I'll call you in the morning. I'm going to sleep this off."
"Love you, girl." April yelled, as the door shut and the Uber took off for her own house.
"So, what on Earth was that about?" AJ asked, as he and Joe waited for their food.
"Dude, you have just as much answers on that one as I do." Joe laughed, as he played with the straw in his cup. "I mean, I like the girl. I do, and I haven't really been able to say that since me and Galina. I'm interested, and I've thrown out some hints, ya know. I've flirted with her some. All of which she really hasn't shown much interest. I can tell I get to her but she's so professional so to see her how she as tonight and that kiss…." Joe said, trailing off, allowing his mind to rewind to the feeling of her lips against his.
It sent a shiver down his spine just thinking of how close their bodies were pressed against each other and the feel of her hands wrapped around him and in his hair. While he had allowed the thought of interest to be established between the two, he hadn't crossed physical lines. Maybe a harmless kiss on the cheek here and there, but it was still in a professional setting and flirty or not, it wasn't exactly intimate in his mind. Flirty, yes.
However, seeing Jami in a different setting tonight was so refreshing and cool. He was glad she could let her hair down and show a different side to herself. He was sure that as much seriousness and carefulness she applied in her professional career, she carried that same sentiment in the other aspects of her life, too. Seeing her carefree was something he had often wondered about. Hell, he found himself often wondering about Jami, period.
She wasn't far from his mind throughout a days' time. In the morning, when he was taking his medication and vitamins with his coffee, he wondered if she liked hers with sugar and milk, or black, or just one or the other. Did she even drink coffee? Maybe she liked latte's or cappuccinos. Maybe she liked a good old energy drink or water. Soda, even.
He wondered about what she liked for lunch and dinner. Did she snack, at all? If so, was it fruit, or did she have a thing for chocolate? What did she make for meals for her children? Was it more healthy options, or was she a little more lenient with meals? What did she like to do with her kids? Would her kids and his own mesh well together? Would they be the best of friends or would they argue and fight a lot?
What time was she able to relax in the evening? Did she like to read or watch TV? Maybe she played games on her cellphone or maybe she retired to her bedroom and took a long shower. Or, did she like baths?
These were all things he thought of and his thoughts scared him. He wondered if they verged on being a lunatic. Maybe he was slightly crazy, and he needed to take a step back himself to reevaluate his thoughts and just what he actually felt for Jami because after tonight, everything was up in the air.