by Rachel Lenna
Chapter 10
“What's going on in that head of yours?” I ask.
“I have worked with Joe for three years now.” Jaydan says gulping water down. “Not once has he ever given any indication on how messed up he is.”
“I think it’s only something he does with his girlfriends.” I say.
“What do you mean?”
“Well after me and after the trial, he had missed out on going to Uni so stayed around town for a while. He ended up dating another girl who disappeared after about six months. She was a happy person like I was and by the end of it not so much. But no one else ever has anything bad to say about him”
“You mean like literally disappeared or moved away?”
“Moved away.” I answer. “Like from the embarrassment or something. I couldn’t do that, I was only sixteen. My parents were useless about my welfare the only thing they did was give me a roof over my head.”
“How did you end up here then?” Jaydan asks, sounding dumbfounded. “And so normal?”
“My dad has always been a proud man, never one to admit he had mental health issues. When he tried to commit suicide last year I knew I had to get away one way or another. Penny and Tom have been high school sweethearts since the sixth grade. They got married just before my father tried to off himself and had got a place together. It had a spare bedroom. They asked me if I wanted to move in with them.”
“Oh.” Jaydan says through a mouth full of food. “That must be tough for you hey?”
“Of course.” I say instantly. “They are newlyweds, they should be together by themselves not with a tag along. Penny feels she has to invite everywhere they go because she doesn’t want me to be alone. That’s why I enrolled in Uni to do the psych degree. So I have an excuse to be away a lot. I only just moved all my stuff out of mum and dad’s house officially last month.”
“That’s clever.” Jaydan nods. “And wow. I see you every week for six months and wouldn’t picture any of it.”
“I’m good at hiding my feelings.”
“Clearly.” He agrees. “Must be so much better for you but, even being the third wheel?”
“Yeah but it also means I will be stuck at their house for at least three years. Working part time won’t give me enough money to live on my own.” I frown. “Why am I even telling you this? We should be getting to know the good stuff. Your turn to talk mister. I want to know things about you.”
“Like?”
“You said you have two jobs, what’s the second?”
“If I tell you something will you promise not to freak out?”
“Dude nothing you say can be as gob smacking as my history.”
“Promise?” He insists.
“Sure.”
“I own Touchés and I have a bakery called Sweetest Stuff on Main Street that I run during the day.”
I look at him a moment, blinking as that information absorbs. Touchés is the most successful club in our city and I have heard wonderful things about Sweetest Stuff from Penny and a few of the kids I am making friends with at Uni. “Well then.” I stammer. “Um…” I don’t know what to say. The guy is loaded and young and hot. Like totally out of my league. “Wait didn’t you tell me that you work at your dad’s distributing company?”
“Yeah I do.”
“How can you have a bakery and do distribution?”
“We distribute bakery goods to other bakeries and supermarkets.”
“Oh.” I huff. “Well der. That makes sense.”
“I work hard for what I have Tara.” He says. “But don’t let my success change what you think about me. I am still the fun loving guy behind the bar too.”
“But you’re always behind the bar when I come in, I thought owners like to observe or something?” I say rather dumbly, if I do say so myself.
“The first night I met you I had taken a shift for a sick worker. I have worked the early Friday night shift every week ever since hoping I would see you.”
“You did that for me?” My mouth drops open.
“I love people, I love what I do. I do actually work the bar quite regularly but yes that early shift on a Friday night has been for just you.”
“But…” I am speechless. “I… um…” I look at him watching me. His gaze is steady. The guy keeps pulling out all the stops that one day – like today – I will have to stop doubting and start believing. Its just one thing after another! How am I not meant to believe he actually likes me?
“It’s okay Tara.” He grabs my hand. “I like you okay. I want to really get to know you. Be your friend all of it. I have from the moment I met you.”
“You really mean that don’t you?” I ask looking into his eyes. “You keep saying it so you really must mean it.”
He nods. “Yes.”
We eat the rest of the meal in silence and as I stuff the last mouthful into my mouth a big yawn takes over me.
Jaydan laughs. “I am so used to being awake until the early hours of the morning that I forget not everyone is like me.” He gestures to Jin who immediately comes to the table. “Check please Jin.”
“Yes sir.” He says and is gone.
“I’m sorry.” I murmur stifling another yawn. “I really must be a big Grandma. What is the time anyways?”
“Just after 1.30am.” Jaydan looks at his phone.
“Oh yeah.” I shrug. “I’m a Grandma.”
“I can take you home if you want me to.”
I freeze. No I don’t want you too but does that sound too keen? I don’t know how to answer without sounding nutty.
“Or not works to?” He adds grinning at me, sometimes I hate the fact that he can read me. “If it’s any consolation I’m not ready for the night to end either.”
“You’re not?” I gasp, genuinely surprised.
“Why do you find it so hard to believe that I like you Tara?” Jaydan asks again just as Jin arrives back with the check.
“Mr Jaydan never brought a lady friend here before Miss Tara.” Jin adds boldly, obviously overhearing the conversation. These waiters must hear some interesting conversation.
“Really?” I gasp again, looking at Jaydan incredulously.
“Thanks for that Jin.” Jaydan smiles at Jin, who gets the hint, backing off instantly. “Yes really.” Jaydan adds when I raise an eyebrow of question. He immediately places money on the check tray with a very large tip. Well that’s still a little intimidating… “I have for six months remember?”
“But…”
“I know.” He says putting a hand on my lips. “I can have any girl. Why would I want you? Blah blah blah. Well face facts little lady. I don’t want just any girl, I want you and only you. One day you will believe me.” My mouth drops open as his eyes become intense and smouldery. He looks from my eyes to my lips and I desperately want him to kiss me again. I watch him watch me, both of us staring at the other, neither willing to make the first move.
“You have the most beautiful eyes.” I breathe, when I can’t take the staring competition anymore. “I could get lost in them forever.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Jaydan smiles. “See great minds think alike.” He pats my hand and I poke my tongue out at him. “Such pretty green eyes and have you ever noticed the golden ring? I never really saw the colour well in the club, but wow! And FYI keep poking that tongue out at me and I may have to bite it off.”
“Jaydan if you keep talking to me like that I think I may swoon.” I murmur out loud. “Not the tongue thing, just everything else by the way. I don’t have some kinky obsession with tongues.”
“Well that’s a shame.” He goads me. “Could have been an interesting adventure.”
My mouth drops open. I am speechless.
He chuckles and looks away, breaking the spell. “Come on pretty lady,” He gets up and reaches for my hand. “I have the perfect spot we can hang out if you wanna?”
“Yes!” I say a little too enthusiastically wondering whether or not it’s possibl
e to fall in love with someone that you barely know. Wait. What? Love? Where the hell did that come from?
“We have to go for a drive but?” He adds.
“And?” I ask, not seeing the problem.
“Just checking your comfortable getting in a car with me.”
“Of course!” I exclaim. “Unless you’re a mad man behind the wheel.” I goad, grinning at him. “In which case I would rather take the bus.”
“Not when I have precious cargo little lady.” He winks as we walk out of the restaurant.
“Aww Mr Baker.” I smile at him shyly. “Making this girl swoon just a little more there.”
“I aim to please.” He winks at me again and opens the door. The cooler night air hits me with a smack and I shudder. “This time you are cold!” He exclaims hugging me sideways. I don’t complain, just having him touch me is like a dream come true.
“I’m okay.” I say wrapping my arm around him back. He snuggles in closer and I giggle to myself at how cute and open he is. A guy who is open with his affections is rare these days and I snagged me one who says he likes me warts and all!
