Page 57 of Heartbreaker

Chapter 21

Ashley

France was everything and more, Jackson’s surprise was one that I’ll never in a million years forget. I’ve never had a boyfriend do anything like that for me, but then I think I’ve never had a boyfriend that looks at me the way Jackson does.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t falling in love with him, but there is nothing I don’t love about him, but why I’m too scared to say it to him I have no idea. Scared that he might not say it back to me, scared this it’s too fast? I have no idea, but something is stopping me, but I know it will happen when it’s right.

“What time you are going the charity event?” Taylor asks walking into the back room of the shop.

“Jackson’s going to pick me up at six, so you’re closing remember?” I tell her. I did tell her before I went to Paris, but she forgets everything I tell her, and have to remind her on the day too.

“Is he still being a little funny with you?” Taylor takes a piece of rum bark off the table.

Since we bumped into his ex in Paris something changed in him, it’s almost like he’s pulling away from me. I asked him how they broke up and he just says that he doesn’t want to talk about it. Which only makes me think that it was the worst break up he’d ever had, she broke him in a way that he was not ready to talk to me about.

“Yeah, he’s been sleeping here, but he is not really talking much too me.” I look up at Taylor. “Not sure what I should be doing,” I tell her, because it’s the truth. I don’t know what I should do to bring the happy man back.

“Maybe he just needs the time to realise that she broke his heart, but you’re here to mend it.” I pout at her. She is my crazy best friend with a dirty mind, but when I need her she always knows the right thing to say to me.

“Ashley.” I hear my name being yelled from the postman, walking out to the front of the shop I give him a smile. “You have a parcel to sign for.” He hands me a box.

“You want a cake?” I ask him. He’s been our postman since we first opened the shop, I still remember one day he finished his shift and came back to the shop and helped us paint, it was so sweet of him.

“No thanks, but a bottle of water would be great,” he looks over at Taylor.

Signing for the box, I open it straight away, pulling out a teddy and some sex toys, with a note. I can show you a better time than him.

I look at Taylor looking at the note over my shoulder. “This is getting creepy now,” Taylor says, and I’m lost for words, I don’t know what to say. I would feel better if I knew who it was.

“Yeah, I know,” I throw everything back in the box. “I’m just going to text Jackson, so he knows,” I say walking into the back room to get my phone.

Ashley: I got another gift from the stalker.

Jackson: What did you get?

I sent Jackson a picture of everything, as it was easier to show him than tell him. I wait for a reply but get nothing. I look at my phone a few more minutes waiting for something, but Jackson isn’t sending anything back.

Getting back to work, looking forward to tonight. I’d asked Jackson why this charity was important to him, I mean everyone has a reason to support a charity.

He told me that his friend Justin got in a car accident, the air ambulance saved him, he is in a wheelchair now, but if it wasn’t for them then he might not even be here today. Jackson says that he is a lucky man, not just because he is alive, but his wife Rachel is the second most beautiful girl he has ever seen after me, which made me laugh.

They will be there today, and I’m excited to meet some of Jackson’s friends, it’s mainly his brother than he hangs out with which is fine, I’m a family girl myself, but I would love to meet some friends that will tell me the guy stories about him.

*~*~*

Finishing the last bit of my make-up I look in the mirror at my dress. I got a backless black ball gown dress with a slit on the side in the end. I wanted something that didn’t really show of my tattoos too much, I mean this is a charity event. But Jackson said that if he was embarrassed by me then he wouldn’t have asked me to be his plus one.

He words were, ‘If you think I’m ashamed of my girlfriend with the tattoos and rainbow hair, you are crazy. You're my girlfriend and I’m showing you off.’ I was still a little worried about it, I didn’t want someone saying to him that I was too different for him, because that was always my first thought about us being together. I’m a little more out there and he is a little quieter, but after France I know that he likes me just the way I am, and that makes me so happy to know.

I hear the door open. “Tinkerbell you ready?” I hear him shout out.

“Yeah, coming,” I say grabbing my bag off the bed, and walking out to the living room I watch Jackson slowly moving his eyes over my body.

“Oh fuck, Tinkerbell, you look…” He takes a step closer to me. “No one word can say how you look. Beautiful, stunning, sexy the list can go on,” he says leaning down to give me a kiss. “I’m ripping this dress off tonight,” Jackson smiles is so cheeky right now.

“And I can’t wait.” I bite my bottom lip as he looks at his watch. “I don’t think so Mister, you are not ruining my hair,” I say, and Jackson starts laughing.

“Well, let’s go so we can get back quicker.” Jackson pulls me closer to him, my hands land on his shoulders. “I have plans for tonight.” I start laughing, I do like this playful Jackson so much.