“You’re right.” Olivia shook her head and sighed. “I guess we were both pretty stupid. So maybe I’m not the best person to give romantic advice, after all. You know what? Next time I try to interfere with your love life, feel free to tell me to butt out.”
Sophie’s gaze narrowed on the other woman’s. “So, if I told you to mind your own business and step off, you would?”
Olivia thought for a moment then grinned. “Nah. I’d probably ignore you and keep trying anyway.”
“Because that’s the kind of friend you are?”
With a chuckle, Olivia smiled wide. “Exactly.”
The two women laughed as they stood and grabbed their drinks. They were only halfway through their day and needed to get back to the ER before the patients started piling up.
“Hey, ladies. Looks like you two are enjoying your break.”
The familiar voice had both women turning their heads. Sophie’s breath stuttered when she saw him.
Dressed in a dark blue suit and white button up, Jason looked every bit the government agent he was. And damn, if her insides didn’t ignite.
“Hey, Jason.” Olivia’s tone was a bit overzealous. “We were just talking about you.”
Sophie shot her friend a look.
Why? Why would she say that?
“Really?” The sexy man slid his hands into his pockets, one corner of his tempting mouth curving slightly. “Should I be concerned?”
“Not at all.” Sophie offered him a quick smile. “We were just talking about what happened in Africa and how well you handled yourself over there.”
Nice cover, Ruiz.
“That’s right,” Olivia followed her cue. “Jake said it was almost as if you were part of the team.”
“Djibouti wasn’t my first run-in with guys like Qasim,” he commented. “But it was nice to know I had Jake and the others by my side this go-around.”
An awkward stretch of silence passed before Olivia finally spoke up again. “Okay, then. I’d better get back to the E.R. before the next shift change.” She looked at Sophie. “You coming?”
“Actually”—Jason intervened—“I’d like to talk to Soph for a minute, if that’s okay?” His eyes were on Sophie’s. “It won’t take long.”
“Oh, um...sure.” Sophie nodded. “Liv can page me if they need me. Right, Liv?”
“Of course.” Olivia gave her a knowing grin. “I’ll catch you two kids later. Good to see you again, Jason.”
“You, too.” Jason tipped his chin.
Not sure what it was he wanted to discuss with her, Sophie waited for him to begin the conversation.
As soon as Olivia was out of earshot, he surprised the hell out of her when he asked, “Would you like grab a bite to eat after your shift?”
Holy shit. Was he actually asking her out on a date?
“There are some things I wanted to run by you,” he clarified. “Just a few follow-up questions, is all. With our busy schedules, I thought we could knock out a meal while we went over them.”
So...nota date.
Being careful not to let her disappointment show, Sophie offered him a smile. “Sure. Dinner’s fine. My shift ends at seven. Just give me time to run home and clean up, and I can meet you wherever. Is eight-thirty too late?”
Because date or not, she’d definitely want to take a shower and change first.
“Eight-thirty’s fine. And I can pick you up, if that’s okay? I have a meeting downtown at six-thirty, so I’ll be driving past your neighborhood, anyway.”