Chapter 15
Laida
I missed him, and I should’ve told him that, but I didn’t.
Instead, I told him maybe we could see each other.
It was ridiculous. The house felt empty.
Sure, I had Rusty, but Jesse was a part of that, too.
Before the Mikaila incident, when I knew he would be coming over for the day, it excited me and made the days he was away much easier.
Then there was my bed, empty, just like everything else.
The farm felt incomplete without him. In all honesty, I felt incomplete without him.
He ruined me and I was crashing out, not knowing what I was doing or how to deal with these new feelings.
That’s what happens when you grow up in a household that doesn’t embrace emotions, and instead, masks them.
I was an expert at avoidance. I knew it was time to put my big girl panties on and deal with things head one. That included Jesse.
I grabbed my phone off the counter and called my best friend, Collette. She picked up the phone and yelled, “Hey girl! How’s it going out there?”
“Hey, it’s fine,” I grumbled.
She could tell that something was wrong. “Oh no. What happened? Is the farm ok?”
I laughed sarcastically. “The farm is amazing, thanks to Jesse.”
“Come again. Who’s Jesse? You’ve been gone for months, and I haven’t heard a peep from you.”
I sighed. “I know. I’m sorry I haven’t called. When I first moved here, I was working on getting settled into the farm and revamping the apothecary. Then some guy showed up claiming that he’d helped gram with the farm, and he was just checking on things.”
“Is he a creep?”
That made me laugh. “No, the opposite. Turns out he’s amazing, a great kisser, and has a big dick.”
“Laida Sayavong! Rewind, hoe. Whaaaat?”
I went into detail from start to finish about everything that had happened with Jesse. “At first, I just wanted a little space over the incident with his ex. That shook me. I know I need to let it go, but what if it happens again?”
“Girl, so what? What if you find out you’re lactose intolerant?
You’re still going to choose violence and enjoy the damn ice cream once in a while because, no, nothing is perfect!
You’re not going to go through the rest of your life avoiding drama.
You can try, but you’d be giving up a hell of a lot. He clearly cares for you.”
Whining, I said, “Uuugh, I know. I’ve really messed this up.”
“Just text him girl. Go on a date. Y’all have done like one thing outside of the farm. Go to the movies. Something. Freshen it up and give it a second chance.”
“You’re right. Thank you! I knew you’d set me straight.”
***
So, I decided to ask Jesse out on a date. Collette was right. It would be great if we could do something outside of the farm. We’d gone to the Founders Day festival, but that was horrible, just like seeing Mikaila. We were batting 0-2 with the past catching up to Jesse. Time to text:
Me: Hey Firefighter, you there?
He responded so fast that it made my stomach flutter.
Him: I’m here, Herbalist. Miss you.
He’s so perfect, it’s painful that I’ve kept us apart.
Me: Soooo… I was looking up what to do in this lovely town. Have you ever been to Movies in the Pines?
…
Waiting for him to reply was agonizing.
Him: Yeah, a long time ago. It’s a nice little park. The Whispering Pines Parks Department hosts weekly outdoor movie nights. There’s this huge inflatable screen that they put up in the center of the park, just before sunset. You can get popcorn and snacks if I’m remembering correctly.
Me: Sounds like it’s nice. I wanted to tease him a little. I knew it was mean, but I couldn’t help myself.
Him: Um, yeah, it is.
Me: Okay, thanks.
Him: Wait… that’s it? Are you…going with someone?
I dropped in a blushing emoji and replied, Well… you, if you’ll go with me?
Him: Hell. Yes. I’d love nothing more than to go to the movies with you. I’ve never been asked on a date before. I usually do the askin’!
Me: Well, buddy… first time for everything. Pick me up at 7:00?
Him: I’ll be there at 6:45.
Of course he would be. I dropped one more smile emoji and ran upstairs to get ready.
***
Jesse picked me up and brought a bag of goodies with him. He opened my door for me and helped me out of the truck, like a true gentleman. “Thank you,” I said, trying to hide my blush. “What’s in the bag?”
“You’ll see.” He flashed his sexy grin at me.
The date already felt different than being at the farm with him.
Our relationship felt new and exciting. Jesse wore a pair of jeans, white sneakers, and a black, button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing those sexy forearms. His hair was slicked back in a different style.
I’d suddenly forgotten why I wanted space.
The atmosphere at the park was so relaxed and intimate because Jesse stopped at a spot he’d picked out, slightly off to the side of everyone else, and opened his bag.
He pulled out a blanket and laid it down, followed by two of his oversized sweatshirts.
He offered, “Here. In case you get chilly. You never know,” and shrugged.
“Thank you!” We sat on the blanket as he pulled out a thermos and two Halloween glasses with straws. “What is this?”
“Well, I heard it’s Summerween or something like that.
So, I brought Witch’s Brew Lemonade.” I watched him pour a purple drink into the two glasses and put the lids on.
“It’s non-alcoholic. Bev, the owner of The Pines Diner, had the kitchen make it up for me.
” He flashed me a smile and I wanted to climb in his lap again, but reluctantly, I refrained.
“This is incredible, Jesse.” I took a sip and said, “Aaah, refreshing.”
“It’s one of my favorites on a hot day. Oh, and it turns out the movie playing is Fright Night. Have you seen it?”
Excitedly, I said, “Yes! Many years ago. I love this so much! Thank you for doing all of this.”
“Thank you for asking me to come.”
It was getting dark and the fireflies were starting to come out. “Look… did you ever catch fireflies as a kid?” I whispered to him so not to disturb the other moviegoers.
“When I was a kid, yeah.”
“Light pollution has been a threat to fireflies. Their glow is them signaling for a mate.” I turned toward him as I talked. “Without that glow, no fireflies.”
“Is this why you always turn your outside light off?”
Nodding, I confirm, “It is, and I close the blinds to the house because you want to minimize as much light pollution as possible, so they can see each other. I don’t have lights in the garden either. That’s why.”
He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Thanks for sharing that with me. I had no idea.”
Jesse and I were sitting there quietly for a while before I noticed him slowly inching his hand closer to mine. My cheeks were getting warm from blushing. I inched closer to him and tried not to be obvious when I stole a glance of him. I missed him. He asked, “Can I sit closer to you?”
“Please.”
Scooting over, I wedged myself against him. He brought his hand up to my hip and squeezed me into him with his arm. I was so content and I missed being in his arms. We sat like that for the rest of the movie, each of us stealing glances and little touches when we could. Everything felt right.
***
When we pulled up to the house, Jesse turned the truck off. “This was fun, Laida.”
“It really was. Thank you again for coming.” I wanted to ask him if he wanted to come inside, but I waited.
We kept glancing at each other before he said, “Laida…”
I answered too quickly. “Yes?”
“Can I at least walk you to your door?” His eyebrows raised in a hopeful gaze at me.
“Yes, I’d like that.” Jesse came around to my side of the truck and opened the door for me. Chivalry was not dead, not with Jesse Harrington, and I was grateful for it.
Walking up the porch steps, I stopped in front of the door and paused. I managed to get out, “Ummm…” before turning around to face him. He stepped closer to me, clearly feeling the same electric energy that I had. It was pulling us into each other, and I wouldn’t deny it.
“Laida, can I kiss you g’night?”
“Yes…” I replied breathily.
He brought his hands up to my face, slowly caressing my cheek before he kissed me. It’d been weeks. Weeks since I’d felt his lips on mine and weeks felt like an eternity. Jesse couldn’t help himself, and blurted out, “Damn it, the things I want to do to you.”
I grinned at him. “You’re so romantic.”
“I am. Hopelessly so. I just have a dirty mind that’s consumed by you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, Herbalist. I always crave you. I’ve missed you.
” He kissed me again. I released an unintentional moan.
“I want to kiss your moans when I take you, Laida, and hear your body surrendering to mine.” I reached up to caress his forearms. “I want every side of you, Laida. Calm. Wild. Uncontrollable. Scared. Messy.”
“Then take me, Jesse.”