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Leia’s eyebrows raise in surprise. “Erm...thank you.”
The poor girl’s confused. I sort of am too. Kris just nods at her and looks back at me with a look that says, ‘See how easy that was?’
“Leia, this is Kris. She’s um...a friend,” I say, awkwardly.Good job.Leia knows what I’m saying is bullshit because she just slowly nods and gives me a knowing smirk. I keep forgetting she’s not a stupid girl.
“Well...nice to meet you, Kris. I hope you guys are enjoying lunch,” she says, not sounding the least bit hopeful about whether or not we’re enjoying lunch. Her friend walks up, looking suspicious of what’s happening. “Oh, this is my friend, Sarah. Sarah, this is—”
“Jake Larson, yes I know,” the redhead deadpans. So I guess Leia already told her about me. “And his girlfriend.” I flinch. If Sarah thinks she’s my girlfriend, Leia must be thinking the same thing too.
“I’m not his girlfriend, I’m hisfriend,”Kris asserts. I hate girl drama.
“Sarah, please.” Leia nods a knowing one at Sarah. I don’t know the mental communication that’s happening between them, but I’m gathering that Leia is trying to calm her down. She’s a good friend to her. I like that. “We’re gonna go. But it was nice to see you guys. Take care.” She gives me another smile before leaving.Take care.Well…thatdidn’t feel good.
“Well.Thatwent well,” Kris jokes. I can’t have Leia thinking that Kris and I are a thing.You guys were, dumbass.Groaning, I get up, alarming her. “Where are you going?”
“Kris, I’ll be right back. I...just need to talk to her for a second.” I wait for her to argue and complain that I’m leaving her. But instead she just smiles and nods.
“Go for it. I’ll be here, eating my salmon salad,” she jokes again. Maybe Kris will be a better friend than I thought. Smiling at her, I quickly run after Leia.
I’m outside and looking around the parking lot, hoping to see her. I search for her, and I almost freak out, thinking she’s already left.Fuck, she moves fast.I almost give up looking for her until I see her friend’s red hair ducking inside a car and Leia smiling at something she said.
“Leia!” I shout, attracting attention from everyone in the parking lot. Smooth. It getsherattention, though. She looks around, confused before landing on me, her eyes widening. I smile at her, and she shrugs as if to ask ‘What the hell?’
I walk over to her, and she tells Sarah something before walking toward me.
“Is everything okay?”
No. Everything sucks. I want to take you to my bed and have my way with you.But what did I come out here to say to her? That was the most awkward exchange inside I’ve ever been a part of.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I blurt out. I need her to know that before she leaves, having the wrong thought in her head. Her eyes widen again as she laughs at that.
“Jake, like I said, I can’t believe anything you have to say. Besides, it’s not my business. You can see whoever you want to see.”
I hate when she tries to be selfless. She never tells me whatshewants. She takes my silence to mean that we’re done. She begins walking away, and I freak.
“Leia, I’m sorry. I’m really,reallysorry,” I admit. She turns to me, visibly confused. “I never meant to make you think that I only wanted you for sex or a good time. You deserve more than that, and I’m so sorry I made things worse.”
She inches in on me slowly, making me gulp. Shit. She’s going to hit me again. But she does the opposite. She leans up and kisses my cheek.
“Jake Larson...you are one of a kind,” she claims. She gives me a small smile. “Thank you for your apology. You didn’t need to, but I appreciate it. You’re already forgiven.” This girl. We’re having another staring contest. I can’t stop looking at her face. Or her lips. We’re inches away from each other’s faces. So I try to do the only thing I’ve been wanting to do for almost two months. I lean in to kiss her, but it’s quickly shot down. “Jake...”
“I’m sorry.Fuck, it’s just that you were so close, and I was in the heat of the moment. Please don’t slap me again.” She laughs at me again. I sigh with relief as I just pull her close and give her a hug. She’s still laughing in my arms, and I can’t lie...this feels right.Tooright.
“You’re funny, Jake,” she continues laughing. “I’m not going to slap you. That’s abusive.” I just stare at her again. Okay, this time I’m the one that laughs. This five-foot-three girl thinks slapping me isabusive. I can’t let this go.
“Ahhh, Leia...I’ve missed you,” I admit. I really have. She gives me another small smile. I’ll try to be her friend. Now that I know what it’s like, I think I can try. With her, I’ll do anything. “I’ve missed you like crazy.”
“Friends again?”
Swallowing my pride, I nod, and she hugs me this time.
“Just one condition, though.” I need to put this out there. I don’t want her to be like any other friend. “Call me Jacob.”
She turns her head sideways, visibly confused. “Why?”
“Jacob’s my birth name, doll. I don’t want you to be like any other friend. When I’m with you, I’m Jacob. The guy you always see. The guy no one else sees.”
She gives me a big smile. I take that smile as an agreement.
