As we approached the little shack I groaned internally. Jessica and Holly were here. Holly I liked but for
some reason Jessica hated me.
"Come on". As if he sensed my discomfort he slid his hand in mine and laced our fingers. "Pick
whatever you want". He whispered his hot breath sending tingles down my spine.
As I was looking at the menu I could feel her Death stare in my back. This was because I was here with
Jake. Was I to say no every time he asked me to go somewhere because she didn't like it?
"Jake my main man". The guy behind the counter grinned. "This the little lady is it?". He winked
causing me to make a face.
"Gregg". Jake nodded. He seemed very reserved, like he was holding back. "Decided what you want
yet princess?".
Gregg was smiling from ear to ear. "Anything you want it's on the house".
"I'll just have a burger and what about if we share some fries?". I asked.
He smirked.
"You won't want to share once you taste them. Gregg just give us 2 portions of dirty fries and 2
cheeseburgers with extra bacon and throw in 2 cokes".
"You got it boss". He winked as Jake led us to an empty table.
Boss?
I was uncomfortable. Not because of Jake but Jessica wouldn't stop staring.
"Your hearts beating so fast. Relax Leah and ignore her". As he slid his hand on top of mine I pulled it
back.
"It's easy for you to say you're not the one she's glaring at". Sighing I smiled when Gregg placed our
drinks on the table. "I've never had someone hate me as much as she does. She doesn't even know
me".
"Want me to say something?". As he made a move to get up I gripped his hand. He didn't need to
cause a scene.
"She's hates me because of you". I sighed. "Did you date?". I hoped he would be honest with me.
"I wouldn't say we dated". Scratching the back of his head he took a drink. "She knows I'm not
interested in her and I'll never be interested again".
"Okay". I couldn't argue with that. She obviously wasn't over what they shared and that was
understandable.
As Gregg placed our food on the table I couldn't wait to dig in. It smelled delicious. Digging my fork into
the fries I shoved them right into my mouth.
Holy Jesus! He was right.
"Told you". He chuckled.
"Hi Leah". Holly smiled as she approached us.
Quickly chewing the food I had in my mouth I took a drink and smiled. "Hey Holly, how are you?".
"I'm good, I'm good. I just wanted to pop over and say hello". Taking a glance at her table I noticed
Jessica wasn't there. "I know you two don't get on but I hope that doesn't mean we can't be friends".
"Of course we can be friends and I don't have an issue with Jessica, it's the other way around".
"Oh I know but I'm sure she'll come around".
"Holly". Jessica yelled.
"Guess that's my queue". She half smiled. "Catch you later".
"She's a sweet girl". Picking up my burger I took a bite. This was even better than the fries. I had to
take note and come back here soon.
"Holly's a sweetheart but Jessica has a big influence over her".
Frowning I stopped eating. Was he trying to tell me something?
"Just be cautious babe! Girls can be mean". He didn't need to tell me something I already knew. I
always kept my circle small and I wasn't planning on changing that.
"Noted".
"Survived your first week here I see. How are you feeling?".
"Barely survived". I laughed. "But if I'm honest I feel good. It's not quite like home just yet but I'm sure it
will be soon".
"I have a feeling you're exactly where you belong". Winking at me he pushed his empty plate to the
side.
Finishing off my burger I pushed my plate to the side and grabbed my coke. "Maybe". I smiled. "I
actually quite like it". I confessed.
"You'll begin to love it. You finished?". He asked.
Nodding my head I slipped my hand into my bag and pulled out my purse. Gregg said it was on the
house but I at least had to leave a tip.
"Put that away princess. It's already been taken care of". As he stood I followed suit. "Fancy a walk
along the beach?". He asked.
How could I say no to that? The beach was after all my favourite place to be. Shaking my head yes I
couldn't hide my grin. Tonight had been a really good night.
"Tonight was fun Jake. Thank you". As we walked along the beach I stopped to take my shoes off. I
wanted to dip my toes in the water. Dumping my bag on top of my shoes I walked closer to the sea.
"So you wouldn't be against doing it again?".
"Are you asking me out again Jake Taylor?". I smirked feeling the water wash over my feet. There was
no better feeling.
"Maybe". He shrugged.
"Then maybe I'd say yes". Feeling his presence behind me a gasp escaped my mouth as he gently
placed his hands on my shoulders.
This felt right, he felt right.
"Let me show you the world princess".
"Jake". I whispered.
"I'll never hurt you, I'll treat you like the queen you'll become. I just want you to be mine".
Wow.
I wasn't against him taking me on a few dates but this sounded like he wanted more already. This was
moving way to fast. We barely knew each other.
"Jake I-.."
"To much to soon?". He sighed. "Sorry babe I'm just eager".
"A little". Walking closer to the water I missed his touch already. I still couldn't wrap my head around the
way I felt towards him. I was constantly having an argument with myself. I couldn't have feelings for him
already could I? I mean I shouldn't that was impossible.
Feeling the slight nip in the air I pulled my cardigan tighter across my body. It was getting colder and
being this close to the water wasn't helping.
"You ready to go?". He asked.
"I guess". Walking the short distance I picked up my bag and shoes. I didn't want to go home just yet I
was enjoying being out here.
...
He had went quiet. Hadn't uttered a word the whole way back. Maybe he didn't like how I reacted or
maybe he was thinking on what to say next. I had never seen him this quiet, he always had something
to say.
As we got closer I could see the bonfire was still lit and everyone was sitting around it. The crowd had
dyed down massively.
"You want me to take you home?". He asked.
It wasn't late and I still wasn't ready to go home yet. I was having a good night. His mood had definitely
changed I could feel it and I knew I had caused it.
"Are you okay?". I asked slowing down a good few feet away from the bonfire. Alanna had clocked us I
could feel her staring.
"Always princess".
"I'm going to stay a little longer. Thanks for the -..". I stopped talking when I noticed he wasn't interested
in what I was saying. To busy smiling at his phone.
"Really?". I whispered under my breath as I walked away. Heading towards Alanna I didn't miss the
frown on her face.
"What's wrong?". She asked.
"Nothing". Sitting beside her I took out my phone. "I was having such a good night". I groaned.
"What happened?". Passing me a beer I gladly took it. I didn't understand how his attitude changed so
quickly. Was he angry, pissed off? I had only been here a week surely to hell he understood why I
wanted to take things slow.
"Your brother happened". Taking another sip of my beer I noticed he was no longer here.
"What's he done this time?".
"I'm not even talking about it". Wiping off my feet I put my socks and shoes back on. I was so frustrated
and annoyed by him.
"Trouble in paradise already?". She laughed.
"He doesn't like it when you tell him something he doesn't want to hear".
"Yeah that sounds about right. What did you say to him?".
"Nothing it doesn't matter. I'm going to head home I'm starting to get a sore head". Getting to my feet
she placed her hand on my arm.
"You okay though?". She asked standing up.
"I gave him a chance Alanna and we had fun but I'm not ready to dive back into a relationship. Your
bloody brother has me up the aisle already".
She burst out laughing.
"I'm being serious". I groaned. "Talking about wanting me to be his. I've been here 5 days, 5 days
Alanna".
"Hey calm down". Grabbing a hold of my hands she squeezed tight. "Jake likes you a lot, yes he may
come on a little strong but trust me it's all good and you'll understand in time".
"What does that even mean?". I asked.
"Just be patient please and don't take what he does or says to seriously. Want me to walk you home?".
It was like she was talking in riddle. I didn't understand what she was trying to tell me without actually
telling me. I was so done with tonight and definitely ready for bed.
"No it's okay I'll be fine".
"I'm not letting you walk home on your own. It's late and he'll have my head if I do".
"If he was so bothered he would be here to walk me home himself. You stay, enjoy the rest of the night.
I'll be okay".
"Leah?".
"Seriously Alanna I'll be okay".
....
My house was in darkness, I'm guessing George was staying the night seeing as his car was still in the
drive. Making my way inside I locked the door behind me and kicked off my shoes.
Walking through the living room I about jumped a foot in the air when I noticed George sat at the island.
"Sorry Leah I didn't mean to scare you". He was sat reading the paper with a glass of milk.
"That's okay". I smiled taking a bottle of water out the fridge. "Can't sleep?". I asked.
"Nighthawk". He chuckled. "Did you have fun with your friends?".
"I did". I smiled. "I'll see you in the morning, goodnight". As I about turned his next words stopped me.
"I know the boy that's sniffing around you Leah. He's got a good family but he has some temper. Just
be careful around him".
I frowned.
"It's none of my business just a little friendly advice".
"Care to elaborate?". I asked.
"You'll know soon enough. Goodnight Leah". Turning his attention back to the paper I made a face.
What did he mean by that? What was it with people saying stuff that I didn't understand and then not
explaining it to me?
Closing my bedroom door I went about closing my blinds and curtains. Tonight ended on a weird note,
it frustrated me and pissed me off. Stripping out of my clothes I turned the light off and jumped into bed.
Tomorrow was a new day.
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