Chapter 52
Scarlett
Maybe it was the conversation about telling Cami about us when he was ready, maybe it’s because I don’t really know what to think of “us” yet, but going to the diner for lunch feels like a big deal.
I’ve been to the diner myself, I’ve been there with my girls, but to go there with Jake, someone known in this town his entire life feels big.
“I’ll drive,” Jake says. He certainly seems like this isn’t a big deal so I follow him in the direction of his cabin.
“Have you ever had their open roast beef sandwich?” He asks me as he slows his pace and matches mine.
When we’re even with each other he reaches over and grabs my hand, interlacing our fingers.
It’s such a small act but one that solidifies this new beginning of things.
“I haven’t, is it good?” I ask, trying not to show that my heart is racing from this quick turn of events.
Just a few nights ago we had our first “date” and now we’re going out in public together and holding hands.
I guess we’re officially a thing now. The concerns I had in the beginning are starting to wane and I forget why this was such a big deal as this man holds my hand like we’re teenagers going steady.
“Oh it’s my favorite thing there. It’s loaded with salt and probably terrible for your health but it’s a guilty pleasure I like to get every now and then.”
When we reach his truck he continues to hold my hand as he walks me to the passenger side and opens the door for me.
“Did you really just open my door for me?” I ask in a teasing tone.
He smiles, those crinkles around his eyes showing off. “Of course I did.”
“Well, I guess chivalry isn’t dead after all,” I say and he adds a cherry on top by kissing my forehead before I hop into his truck.
As I watch Jake close my door and walk around the front of the truck to his side I notice the differences in this man from the day we met. Gone is the man I named a grump. Nearly gone is the tight, angry face he sported when I arrived in his life.
“I guess my Shrek nickname was the right one,” I tease.
“Yeah, I still don’t get that.” And just like that the lines in between his eyebrows are back.
“Because Shrek is an onion, he has layers. He isn’t just a grumpy ogre who doesn’t want anyone in his swamp. He has other emotions.”
Jake stares at me with a blank expression.
“You have seen the movie Shrek, right?” He shakes his head as he starts the truck and puts it in reverse. “Oh, we’re having a movie night tonight. And in the morning I’m making waffles.” This gives me an eyebrow raise and I say, “you’ll understand that later tonight too.”
A little thing about me, I love watching cartoon movies.
Old ones, new ones, it doesn’t matter. They are sort of my guilty pleasure.
Because even though I know there’s nothing wrong with an adult who does not have children watching cartoon movies, I still don’t broadcast it to the world.
Something about the fact that I just suggested we watch a kid’s movie and Jake didn’t bat an eye, makes me feel warm inside.
Makes me feel like this could be something. Something real.
“Okay,” Jake says. “But I feel like I need to prepare myself for being offended.”
“Believe me, I mean it as a compliment.”
We arrive at Al’s Place where Jake rushes out of the truck to open my door for me and holds my hand all the way into the restaurant.
When we walk in the door I can’t help but wonder if people will stare.
Will we be the next town gossip? Will this get back to Cami before Jake’s ready to tell her?
But there are no stares. In fact, there’s hardly anyone here at all.
“Where is everyone?” I ask. Every other time I’ve been in here it’s been loaded with people.
“This is a town full of early risers and retired folks. The lunch rush is over by noon.” A quick look at the clock confirms that it is nearing 1:30.”
“Huh,” I say as I take my seat. “Noted.” I’ll stash that information away for another time.
Jake sits down at a table for two and I sit down across from him. “So, after all this talk this morning about telling Cami when you’re ready and not getting her hopes up too soon or whatever, doesn’t make you nervous about being seen together in public?”
“Scarlett, you act like we’re fucking in the middle of Main Street.
” Jake chuckles. I blush beat red at the image now playing in my mind of the two of us in the middle of the street.
“You just thought about it didn’t you?” He asks, a devilish grin on his face.
I pull my face away so he can’t read my thoughts from my expression. “And you liked it didn’t you?”
“Oh my God, stop.” I plead. The more he presses the redder my face gets. Would I be into that? You’d think I would with the way my body feels like it’s one thousand degrees right now.
“Hey guys, what can I get you?” Comes a delightfully welcome distraction. Jake and I order our food, him an open faced roast beef and me the turkey club.
I assume that’s the end to the teasing before the waitress came over but no, Jake doesn’t miss a beat when he says, “Alright, so sex in public might be a thing for you. I’ll keep that in mind.
What other fantasies do you have?” I have never before seen a face that I wanted to kiss and slap in equal parts.
The sun is shining through the window highlighting his farmer tanned skin.
His chocolate brown eyes dance with mischief as he waits for me to answer.
“With the books I read, I could give you a laundry list of things,” I say regaining control I add, “Like pegging.”
“Pegging? What’s that?” he asks, his turn to lose his composure.
“I’ll let you look it up.”
He looks down at his phone in front of him on the table and then moves the phone to his lap while the waitress comes with our meals.
She sets his plate down on the table and he jolts, putting his phone upside down on the table top as he looks up to acknowledge her.
“Thanks Annie,” he says and his face is as flustered as mine was earlier. Good. Now we’re even.
When Annie leaves Jake locks eyes with me, the mischief replaced with curiosity. “Is that really a fantasy of yours?”
“I don’t know if I’d say fantasy but definitely something I’m intrigued by. If you want to know my real fantasies, maybe I should lend you some of my books.” I wink at him while I bite into my club sandwich.
I wait for the idea to be shut down. Both the pegging and having him read the books I read.
Initially, I said it for fun. To make him blush.
But since he hasn’t shut me down, I’m honestly even more intrigued.
I’ve never dated a guy who even slightly entertained the idea, let alone asked me what my fantasies were.
The way he asks the question feels like he wants nothing more than to give me whatever fantasy I desire.
“So your books aren’t all innocent love stories?” Jake asks as I take a drink of water. I practically choke on the water, laughing at the idea.
“Not even remotely.” Now I’ve got the mischievous grin.
“Well, now I definitely want to read one. See what we could replicate.” He says it so nonchalantly.
As if it’s completely normal for a burly, hardworking man to ask to read his girlfriend’s romance books.
He’s not even looking at me when he says it.
Just cuts into his meal, steam rising from the hot beef covered in gravy, and when he does look up at me I’m staring. “What?”
“Are you being serious?”
“About what?”
“About wanting to read the books I read.”
“Well, yeah. I mean I haven’t picked up a book in years and I may not be a fast reader when I do but I’d love to get a little look at what goes on inside that head of yours.” He goes back to eating his lunch, his wide fame leaning over the table.
“Alright, well I’ll find you one when we get back then,” I say, still feeling a bit stunned. Is this what it’s like to have a man who isn’t self absorbed? One who is genuinely interested in you and getting closer to you? If it is, I think I like it.