“You have great reflexes,” she said, still staring into his eyes. “I can’t believe you caught me and my bags. Thanks for saving me from causing a mess.”
He hadn’t prevented shit. The womanwascausing a mess…with his pulse.
“Sinjin has many great qualities,” Carter said.
He flicked a hard gaze to the stooge who sat across from him grinning.
Dumbass.
“Oh, hi, Carter. Hi, Hunter,” she said, scrambling to her feet.
Relief mixed with a large wave of disappointment Sinjin immediately squashed. There was no room in his life for that foolish emotion. Besides, shock continued to rule his brain.
How did she know his friends? He was aware of everyone associated with each of his buddies. It was his job. His nature. A necessity to keep danger at bay.
“How was your first day at the hospital, Isla?” Hunter asked. “Had to be tiring after the full day you put in yesterday at the shelter.”
His buddy just provided the answer. This lady must be a new volunteer at the local animal shelter where Carter, Hunter, and their women all volunteered, too.
The guy also supplied a first name. Isla. Fitting. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Just like it was silent in the word “island”, the “S” was silent in her name, and her gorgeous blue eyes reminded him of a warm tropical sea.
Jesus.
He shook his head, hoping the whimsy fell out.
Perhaps he’d soaked up too much heat and sun in the Mexican jungle. He wasn’t thinking straight.
“It was good. Great, actually,” she answered Hunter with a smile while a pretty blush filled her cheeks. “A little scary and a lot exciting. Can’t wait for next Friday’s clinical.”
Hunter went on to introduce the nursing student to Mac and him, confirming what he’d already gleaned about the shelter, but she hadn’t been there to volunteer. She’d been there to adopt.
“I didn’t find a match,” she said with a sigh. “But I’ll try again in a few days. I’ll know her when I see her. Or him.”
Carter’s gaze slowly moved to Sinjin before transferring to Isla. “Matches have a way of showing up when you least expect them.”
She nodded. “Yeah. Your wife told me they get animals in all the time.” Her gaze flicked to Mac. “It was nice meeting you.” Then she turned to him and removed the bags from his hand he hadn’t realized he was still holding. “Thanks again, Sinjin, for saving me from making a complete fool of myself. I’m only mildly mortified.”
The way she poked fun at herself only added to her appeal. He fought the urge to answer her grin with one of his own.
Now that he knew of her presence, he had no intention of talking to her again. A wide berth would curb his unwanted reactions.
Still, not wanting to appear rude, he nodded. “My pleasure.”
Shit.
That wasn’t at all what he’d intended to say. In fact, he hadn’t meant to speak at all. Judging by the snicker coming from Carter and the smiles on the others’ faces, he’d just made a colossal mistake.
“Did you walk here?” Hunter asked Isla as she adjusted a small purse across her body.
She nodded, lifting her hand that clutched the takeout bags. “Yes, it’s not far.”
“Still, it’s getting dark,” Mac said.
“No worries.” She shrugged. “I’ll be fine.”
A tingling sensation began to prick Sinjin’s shoulder blades. He didn’t like the gleam in the eyes of all four of his buddies.
“We know you will because Sinjin can walk you home.” The grin on Carter’s face only added to Sinjin’s annoyance.
