“You can smile, you know.” Jake states. “Wait, your face does know how to do that, doesn’t it?” He teases.
“It does know how to do that. Jerk.” I finally smile.
Jake gets hold of me again and looks at me with that look.
“Why do you look at me like that?” It gets out of my mouth.
“Like what?” He innocently asks back.
“Like, those shiny eyes and intense gaze.” I justify.
“You’re just- Addicting to look at.” Jake smiles, not looking directly at me, somehow helpless.
“Do tell.” I amusingly say, a smirk on my face.
He looks at me and returns the smirk.
“I do tell.” He flashes his hazel eyes at me.
I let my hand lightly pull his head to the side, making him laugh.
The chorus comes, and he brings me down, holding me so I don’t fall, and looks down at me, to then bring me up and make me spin slowly, only for me to end up back in his arms. The song ends, and I go back to the table.
I think I just realized something, and my brain just froze for a moment.
I sit down and put a hand on my forehead.Breathe in and breathe out.
When I search for him, I find Amanda touching his arm and laughing at something he said.
No. Not him. Not my West.
I press the palms of my hands against my eyes.
God, he’s not mine!He’s hers, he always has been. I agreed to this. Suck it up.
That’s when desperation and madness hit me in the head.
I look at him until he looks back at me, which only takes about half a minute. I mouth for him to come back, and he nods quickly, ending whatever conversation he was having with Amanda and making his way back to me.
“I want to jump from the diving board.” I get up from my seat, and he shakes his head, shocked to say the least.
“Now? I mean,you want to jump from the diving board?” He frowns, genuinely confused.
I’m sure my face looks manic right now, but I prefer bold.
“Now or never. Besides, it’s the deal. I drive Amanda nuts, and you help me with my list. There’s only one thing left.” Ilie, because honestly, this is my lazy attempt at having him to myself. Of making the best of it and just avoid the fact that I’m going to have to let him go.
His eyes go from surprised, to worried, to determined, jaw locked.
“Let’s go.”
I grab my purse, and he grabs his jacket.
I tell my sister we’re going for a night stroll and to warn our dad, and she nods, going back into conversation with Alana.
Jake takes my hand and doesn’t look back.
35
