Kyle looks my way and I can’t help but laugh aloud at his perplexed expression. All three girls turn my way, but I just shake my head in dismissal.
I glance around the restaurant after placing my order. My eyes find all the tables with small children, but quickly, I move on. I am not going to deal with that today.
“He didn’t even call or text. He just stood me up. Oh well. I should make him jealous and date one of his friends. Better yet, we should all go date his friends. Well, except Emily, of course,” Hannah says.
Abella tilts her head to look at me.
“When are you going to dump Jake? He’s a great guy and all, but we are a group of singles. You should join in on the fun.”
“The fun of chasing guys and getting stood up? No thanks,” I reply easily. For the rest of the lunch hour, I listen as the girls go on. Every now and then, I give a sideways glance to Kyle and we share a look. I do like how we can share our opinions without uttering a word.
It is refreshing. Almost like a cold splash of water on my face after working long, hard hours in the sun. Yet, it is unnerving. Every time I catch sight of a child, my inside churn ominously. Kyle slides his hand over to my knee cap and gives it a gentle squeeze. To be comforted by that small action bothers me.
Lunch is over and I have to be in my next class in fifteen minutes. Kyle insists on paying for everyone’s lunch. The girls give me a hug and leave with a goodbye and promises of meeting again. I stand by and watch Kyle pay with a credit card from his worn leather wallet.
With a smile, Kyle turns and holds the door open for me. Walking through, Kyle matches my pace and places a hand on my lower back. He opens the car door and I slide inside. I am in love with Kyle’s car. The new car smell wafts up and through my nose. The urge to take a deep inhale was too hard to resist. I glance over at Kyle as he chuckles.
“Do you like the way I smell that much?”
I playfully hit him on the arm and said, “Not you. I love the new car smell. Can I borrow it until it’s gone?”
“Sorry, Em. No can do. The last time I let a woman drive my car it was totaled within five miles. I’m keeping this baby close to me.”
“What? You don’t trust me, Kyle?”
A smile widens on my face as Kyle glares over at me.
“I trust you alright. Just not with my car.”
He pats the dashboard lovingly and I roll my eyes as we pull up at the university next to my car.
“Thanks for the ride and for lunch.”
“Anytime. If you ever need to talk Em, just call me, okay?”
“Thanks, Kyle.”
With that, I'm out of his car and rushing to class. Once the day is over, I go home to the empty apartment. It's a mess. Dishes are precariously sitting in the sink. Clothes are thrown around the house. Dirt from outside is scattered about the floors.
I guess Jake assumed I would clean the house when I returned.. It certainly didn’t look like he made any effort. With a sigh, I get started picking up our things. The act of washing dishes calms my annoyed nerves, but the sound of the whirling vacuum suction brings it back. Like a mad woman, I furiously jerk the cleaner back and forth across the carpet.
Arms snake around my waist and I jump. The zone I was in is broken and I turn around to hit Jake.
“You scared me to death!”
I am about to remind him of his mess around the house when he gives me a sultry smile. Jake hooks his fingers in the loops around my waist to pull me close. He leans down and places a luscious kiss on my lips. Struggling for control I push him away and cross my arms. Jake's gaze drops to my chest and I angrily drop my arms.
“Were you waiting for me to return so I could clean the house? Or were you actually going to make the effort? I'm trying to remember the last time you cleaned up instead of me.”
Irritation boils inside me as Jake smirks.
“Don't give me that look, Jake.”
His eyes ignite at the challenge. He loves getting me mad because w
e always up in the bedroom forgetting what I was mad about to start with. Jake's hands find my hips once more and he pushes me against the nearest wall.
“I'm sorry. I was caught up in the fact that you weren't here with me.”