chapter 6

NATE

After thinking long and hard about my business decision, I decided to take the investors up on their offer.

Jack said I was being ridiculous, and I could afford to lose out on forty percent when I was still receiving the full sixty. He was right, and maybe I was just being a little greedy. Realistically, they deserved it as they were going to make the new range sell. I just hope I'm right about that, and don't regret it.

"So, now you've made that huge decision can we talk about what's actually rattled your cage today?"

He was good. Maybe that's why he was a counsellor? He could read people perfectly. But the thought of talking about the sweet angel in the coffee shop shook my insides into a ball of nerves. He would laugh, and I would have to face the terrifying thoughts that she has deeper reasons to be scared of me than a current boyfriend. I couldn't get the sadness out of her eyes, and the fear when she turned to the door and ran.

I knew fear when I saw it, and I wasn't letting this go. Maybe I should talk about it to Jack?

"Well?"

"I met this girl today."

"I knew it!"

"Calm down. She ran after introducing herself."

He eyed me cautiously.

"What did you do?"

"Thanks."

He opened his mouth wide and put his hands up to say he didn't mean it like that, but I can't help feeling like I already did something wrong.

"Look she just picked her daughter up, and ran."

"But I could see the fear in her eyes"

Jacks face was marred with concern, and it took him a while to respond.

"Maybe she has a boyfriend or something?"

"Already thought that. There was a mark where she used to wear a ring. So unless she's got a new boyfriend, I'd say she's divorced."

"What you thinking?"

It took me a while to form the words, because I knew I'd sound hysterical and stupid. I let an exasperated breath out before I spoke, and looked down at the table.

"What if she has reason to be scared like that? I didn't do anything jack. I literally just introduced myself, and made conversation with her child."

"Maybe you just scared her, getting all friendly with her child like you were a couple or something. I don't know bro, I get your skepticism though."

He shrugged, and sipped on his pint.

"Maybe I'm just stupid, and I'm thinking about a woman who wasn't interested in me like I was her."

I sighed, and finished my drink before exiting for the bar.

I stride over with even more intention to get fucked than I planned. I'd met her only a few hours ago, and I was trying to rack my brain for answers on why she ran away.

Jesus, Nate. She wasn't your wife. She was someone in a coffee shop.

Sad thing is she wasn't just someone in a coffee shop, because she was beautiful; eyes that lit her whole face up like a star in the sky, and hair that fell perfectly down her chest. I couldn't fault her if I tried, and yet I didn't even know her.

I raked my hands through my disheveled hair, and waited for my order. Two whiskey shots, and a beer each for me and Jack. It was Saturday, so why not? The office wasn't open Sunday's.

The waitress passed my overflowing drinks on a tray, and as I carefully grabbed them, I swivelled my head to walk back to the table noticing a glimpse of the sapphire eyes I couldn't get out my head.

Jet black lashes fanning her rosy red, makeup enveloped cheeks; Slick, soft, brunette strands disappearing down her back; Tight dark blue jeans accentuating her beautiful curves; and her tiny frame was slightly taller from her heels. The woman looked as incredible as she did earlier.

I halted in my tracks, and took in the breathtaking sight aligned with my eyes. I couldn't suppress the smirk growing as she got closer.

When she noticed me her face became stone. Every muscle, feature, movement, had stopped. Her mouth was slightly parted after she'd swallowed hard from seeing me. Her friend was talking to her, but she wasn't listening. Instead she was focused on me, whom was shaking in fear that I had actually been the reason she ran. The expression marred on her face was evident I wasn't someone she wanted to see, but why? What had I done wrong?

I gave her a sad smile, and walked over to the table. The look on Jacks face tells me he saw that, and I knew he was going to pester me till I told him.

Perching myself in my seat, I let my gaze fall to her and was surprised to see her watching me; her breathing was heavy from the rapid rise of her chest, and I couldn't take my eyes off her.

Our eyes had locked, and our gaze was so intense, so full of lust, passion, and need, you would need a magical spell to break the trance we were both in. I noticed as she bit her lip, swallowed again, and turned her face away in one swift movement.

My heart sank when she was no longer gazing back at me, and I waited a while before turning back to Jack who had been saying my name for the past minute.

"Nate?

"Nate!"

He clicked his fingers in my face, to check my responsiveness, and I whacked his arm away.

"What?" My tone was firm. A clipped response. I didn't mean to be so aggressive with him.

"Sorry."

"It's cool, I'm going to presume the cute brunette is the girl from the coffee shop?"

"Yep"

"Will have to call her coffee girl until you tell me her name."

"Daisy."

"Cute name for a cutie like that."

I snarled at his comment. Yes she was cute, but that meant he'd checked her out enough to know.

"What?"

"Don't look at her."

His laughter roared through the loud bar, and a few heads turned our way.

"So we not getting laid tonight then? Unless you planning on taking Daisy, and maybe I can have her hot friendm"

"Shut up."

His comment had flared thoughts of a naked Daisy under me as I devoured her tiny, curvy body. She must of only been around five foot 4, and had perfect curves. She'd have to tiptoe just to press her lips on mine.

The image of our lips crushed together in a passionate embrace made my cock twitch. God I wanted that so bad.

I was then reminded with the reality of the situation, and the anger that burnt inside me caused me to make a drastic decision. I shot up, and treaded straight over to small frame leaning over the bar. Her bare skin was showing on her back where her top had slightly rose up, and I took in how soft it looked.

I was right behind her and she hadn't noticed, so I placed my hand on her back and said, "Daisy"

________

DAISY

"Daisy?"

His voice was a deep rumble of anger, and frustration. Even over the loud beat of the music I could still hear it as perfect as earlier, and it sent a shiver down my spine; surfacing unwanted feelings in my core.

I gulped the dry lump in my throat that had appeared from his unexpected announcement, and slowly stepped back from the bar.

When I let my head turn to face him his expression was blank. I couldn't decipher what it meant, and I stood before him shaking.

He was definitely confused as to why I ran earlier, and if he asked I would be forced to lie - something he would see straight through as I was rubbish at it.

When I hadn't spoke, and was still trying to read his expression, he shifted uncomfortably. Had I made him nervous? Or did he just not know what to do now he had come over here?

Something tells me the latter, and this was a rational decision on his behalf - not his blonde, green eyed friend over there, who was watching us like we were an entertainment show. I had the urge to go out and buy him some popcorn so he could enjoy the show, his eyes hasn't left us.

I needed to keep this simple, and straightforward without breaking my disguise as well as the truth.

"Can I help you, Nate?"

His eyes were now glued to mine, and he hardened his expression.

"What did I do to make you run?"

He'd gotten straight to the point, despite knowing this was coming, I wasn't prepared to answer. How could I answer? No answer, except the truth, would make sense, and I couldn't tell him that. I wasn't going to have a stranger feel pity for me.

I realised it had been a whole minute since he asked, and I could feel how wide my eyes had spread. His features were marred with concern, and worry.

"I just had somewhere to be that's all, it was nice seeing you again."

I attempted to put some space between us, and end the conversation, but his hand came in contact with my arm. He wrapped his fingers gently around my forearm, and I flinched. I almost fell into the bar, and naturally grabbed where he'd placed his hand. His touch was so gentle, soft even, and I got scared. Scared that he was just like Robert, and would hurt me.

The embarrassment flooded my cheeks turning them a deep red, and I could feel the heat burning my face.

"Daisy are you okay?!"

Amanda places her hand on my shoulder, and looked round at Nate. Her features were full of concern, and anger for whoever had hurt me, and then she looked at Nate and winced. Did she know him? Did she think I was overreacting? (She'd be right because I was).

I couldn't understand the look in her eyes, it was as if she had realised something? She knew something I didn't, and I was beginning to freak out even more. I could feel my heart beat speeding up irrationally, and uncontrollably. My breathing got heavier, and the room began to spin. I was experiencing a common panic attack. I had them regular when something had triggered one of the fears. Now I was having one because of so many different things in one, and I couldn't concentrate. I could no longer see, or take in, the faces of the two people in front of me that were concerned; I couldn't hear them, and my fight or flight instinct kicked in.

My shaken, trembling body opted to flight as I stumbled quickly out the bar.

I don't remember seeing anything, or hearing anything, in my tracks until I reached the sidewalk.

I used the clear, fresh air as a way to fight my panic attack. I concentrated on the sounds around me: the noise from the cars, people walking by, the faint music in the bar. I focused on what they sounded like; how the faster the cars the more loud they were as they collided with the road; how the current song playing inside was one me and Amanda loved to dance to when we were out.

I focused all my thoughts on that, and not the reason I was out here in this panicked mess.

It took a while. My brain kept flashing back to Robert.

Roberts fist in my stomach the day we thought we were pregnant again, but the test was negative. The agonising pain of his foot following, and the several kicks I endured as my body hit the floor.

My brain worked to fight them as it concentrated on the red Mazda speeding past as I thought about how dangerous it was for the driver. I started thinking nonsense: like how I hoped they were wearing their seatbelt.

My brain flashed back again. This time to the day I'd slightly burnt the chicken on our Sunday roast, causing him to hit me directly in the jaw. His cruel words saying "my teeth just suffered from the burnt disgusting piece of meat you cooked! Let your teeth endure the pain".

I shook my head, this time focusing on the stray cat coming my way. I focused on its soft ginger fur, and the resemblance it had to my cat as a child. I always loved animals. We had a dog too, Tilly I think was it's name? I'm not sure. I can't remember. Thankfully, the pet thoughts had managed to work.

Once my breathing slowed, and my body felt less shaky, I turned my head in the direction of the bar. There stood, huge bicep leaning on the glass door, arms crossed, was Nate and Amanda beside him.

Nate looked completely concerned with my outbreak, and Amanda gave me a sad smile.

Amanda knew not to try calm me down, as I had to do it on my own. Being swamped by people made me worse, and therefore I had to find space to overcome my panic attacks.

This was one of those situations where you want to explain. You want to tell somebody they're not the reason you just had a panic attack - because I know it's what he's thinking, and he's not - but you can't do it. You can't stop the awkward, dreaded emotion settling inside you because you've confused and hurt somebody unintentionally. That's how I feel right now. I can't tell Nate why his grasp on my arm sent my whole body into tremors.

The sad part is that he's a really good looking guy and, after this morning, I don't doubt he'd treat me and Hope perfect, but I couldn't be with someone the complete opposite of me. I'm too damaged, corrupted, he's not.

"Honey are you okay?" Amanda's voice was soft, and sweet as she slowly moved her feet in my direction.

The tears were stinging the back of my eyes, threatening to spill. I was utterly confused in what to do, embarrassed, and hurt to even form words.

Was I okay? Or was I not? I couldn't even answer those questions.

Amanda pulled me into a comforting hug as soon as she saw the first tear leave my eye. It slowly rolled down my face, and dropped silently onto my shirt. As I rested my tired head on Amanda's shoulder I noticed Nate was still standing there. He looked sad. Confused too. He gave me a small smile, and returned the action. I don't know if Amanda said anything to him, but I see understanding in his eyes. I know she wouldn't tell him the whole truth, but it wouldn't shock me if she had said something to him.

"Let's get you home,"

Amanda pulled away from me as she pulled me towards a taxi. I eyed her confused, and then said explained that she asked Nate to phone us one just. I must of been so out of it I hadn't even heard.

"Oh."

I looked over at Nate, and mouthed 'thank you'. He put his hand up to indicate it was okay, and I stood watching him until Amanda forced my head into the car.

"Thank you Nate, don't worry."

She'd gone over and rubbed his arm with a sympathetic smile on her face, but he was still watching me through the glass. His eyes were concerned, and full of questions. Questions I knew, but couldn't answer with full honesty.

When we drove off I noticed he was still watching the car from afar, and Amanda looked at me. She wanted to say something, but instead she just held my hand.