Tiffany sat at her desk, her fingers drumming impatiently on the smooth surface. She hated how distracted she’d become lately, her eyes drifting to the door every few seconds, hoping—no, waiting—for him to walk in. Jacob had somehow wormed his way into her thoughts, and it was driving her mad.She frowned, tapping her pencil harder. She shouldn’t care. She really shouldn’t be this eager to see him, with his stupidly adorable dimples and that infuriatingly laid-back attitude.But here she was, actually looking forward to seeing him.Tiffany let out a quiet sigh, staring at the door again. He was late, which only made her more agitated. Normally, she’d roll her eyes at how he always strolled in right at the last minute, but today, she found herself counting the seconds until he’d show up.What’s wrong with me? she thought, chewing on her lip. I shouldn’t care if he shows up or not.But she did. She was hoping to catch a glimpse of those dimples, that infuriating grin that always made her
Tiffany’s pulse quickened as Jacob made himself comfortable, resting his head on her lap as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She stiffened, unsure of what to do with her hands. Her mind raced, and she couldn’t decide if she wanted to shove him off or…not.“What are you doing?” she repeated.Jacob peeked up at her, a lazy grin on his face. “I’m exhausted,” he said, closing his eyes briefly. “Had a long night. Only three hours of sleep, so… I’m just gonna borrow your lap for a bit.”Tiffany blinked, her brain scrambling to come up with a retort, but all she could manage was a weak, “You can’t just—”Jacob cracked one eye open, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur. “You know, you don’t seem too mad about it, Tiff.”Tiffany felt like she should protest and push him off, but she hesitated. There was something oddly calming about his presence, even if he was infuriating. Her hand hovered over his head, unsure whether to touch his hair or keep it far away. “This is…weird,” sh
“Are you going to tell me, or what?” Riley demanded when River got home.He looked at her with confusion. “What are you talking about?” he asked.“About Jacob. And his mother,” Riley said firmly.River’s expression darkened at the mention of Jacob and his mother. He rubbed the back of his neck. “It wasn’t anything crazy,” he muttered.“Don’t give me that bullshit, River,” Riley growled.River chuckled. “Jeez, wife. Feeling a bit feisty today?”Riley narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms as she glared at River. “Don’t try to dodge the question, River. This is serious.”River sighed, his teasing demeanor faltering as he sat down on the edge of the couch. “Look, it’s not what you’re thinking,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “Jacob’s mother…I met her ages ago, and let’s just say…not under the best circumstances.”“What do you mean?” Riley asked.River took a deep breath. “It was years ago. Tiffany had just turned six. I had this enemy, he was always trying to encroach on our territo
Tiffany’s eyes darted to the clock for the hundredth time that afternoon, her stomach twisting as she registered the empty seat beside her.Two days. Jacob had been absent for two whole days now.She forced her gaze back to the textbook in front of her, but the words blurred together. Her pencil tapped an anxious rhythm on the desk.“Miss Foster, is there a problem?” Mrs. Hawthorne’s stern voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.Tiffany’s cheeks flushed. “No, ma’am. Sorry.”As the teacher resumed her lecture, she tried to focus, but her mind kept wandering back to Jacob. Where was he? Was he okay?Stop it, she chided herself. It’s not like he’s your boyfriend or anything. You’re just friends.That’s all.But even as she thought it, she knew it wasn’t true. At least, not for her. Somehow, without her permission, Jacob had become more than just a friend. His absence left an ache in her chest that she couldn’t quite explain.Tiffany sighed, resting her chin in her hand. It’s probably no
Tiffany slid her jacket on and glanced in the mirror, running a hand through her hair to smooth it down. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to do.He will definitely make fun of her for showing up like this.“Be back before dinner, okay?” Riley called after her.“Sure!” Tiffany responded, already stepping out the door.She headed toward the car that waited for her in the driveway. The car her father assigned to her with the driver, John, to take her anywhere she wanted, including school. For once, she was thankful to have that privilege.“Where to, Miss?” John asked.Tiffany gave him the address and leaned back in her seat.Her heart was pounding hard. Was this a mistake?Jacob told her not to come to his house and he sounded very serious. What if he got angry at her for showing up?But then again, this could be a good revenge because he was always intruding into her life!Tiffany smiled. Yes, this was a payback. Stupid Jacob…always following her around an
Jacob complied, lifting his arms as Tiffany carefully pulled his shirt over his head. The warmth of his skin against her fingers sent a shiver through her, and she quickly averted her gaze to the floor. She couldn’t focus on how close they were or how her heart raced at the thought of being so intimate with him.“You have to take your pants off too,” Tiffany said, trying not to blush.Jacob’s lips curled into a small smile. Or what looked like a ghost of his usual charming smile. “Oh, my princess. I didn’t know you were so…forward,” he drawled.“Jacob!” Tiffany snapped.“Okay, gosh,” he said weakly.Tiffany sighed as she watched him struggle with the simple task of opening his zipper. “Let me,” she said, putting her hand on his.Jacob paused and looked at her dazedly. “We haven’t even kissed yet, and you want to take my pants off?”“I am done messing around!” Tiffany exclaimed. She wanted to slap him.“S…sorry,” he murmured and swayed.Tiffany quickly grabbed his shoulders and led him
Tiffany watched Jacob sleep for a few minutes, then stood up.While she was cleaning his room, she found her diary on his desk. Now it was time to take it back and go home. End this silly blackmail once and for all.But somehow, it felt like she was betraying him and instead of grabbing her diary and heading out, she walked over to the desk and placed it exactly where she’d found it.Something must be seriously wrong with her.She looked around the room, studying it again. It was a simple room.A few posters were tacked to the walls, mostly bands she didn’t recognize. The desk was cluttered with textbooks, crumpled papers, and stray pens, yet there was something oddly organized about the mess. It was a side of Jacob she hadn’t paid attention to before—just a normal guy with a space that reflected bits of his life.Her gaze lingered on a photograph tucked into the edge of his mirror. He couldn’t be more than five in it, all toothless and innocent.She smiled. He was so cute.“Mom, no.”
“So now you get to witness the true reality of my life. Jacob stuck in this messy, broken, and old house with his poor mother,” he said. “I wasn’t born with a golden spoon in my mouth. So you are probably thinking I got some audacity to ask a girl out like you,” he added bitterly.“I see your assholy attitude is back. You must be feeling better,” Tiffany retorted.Jacob smirked his expression a mix of relief and annoyance. “Guess some things never change, huh? Even when I’m half dead, I still manage to get under your skin.”“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just surprised you have the energy to be a jerk again,” Tiffany shot back, crossing her arms. She leaned against the doorframe, trying to maintain a tough exterior, but inside, she felt the tension shift. Despite his words, there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a reminder of how close they had been just hours before.“I’m sorry,” Jacob’s voice dropped, a more serious tone surfacing. “I just…I never wanted you to see how I li
Lucas found himself staring at Amy, feeling irrationally happy. The aftermath of their lovemaking left his muscles relaxed just like it did when they did this back in Sweden. But somehow, this time felt even better than that time.“Stop looking at me like I grew a second head,” Amy teased.The corner of his mouth quirked up in a half-smile. “Sorry. You look really pretty,” he said.“Pfft,” she scoffed, but Lucas could see that her cheeks were turning pink.He loved it when her cheeks turned pink like that.“Come on, Lucas,” Amy nudged him, her eyes twinkling. “Drive me home now. I have work in the morning.”“Let’s go,” he said, standing up.Amy chattered about random things on the way home, but Lucas only half-listened. A tightness coiled around his chest, an unfamiliar pressure attacking him.He didn’t want to take her back to her apartment yet. He missed her already.“I want to show you my Penthouse, Harpy. How about now?” he asked.Amy furrowed her brows. “What? Now? No way. I am d
This wasn’t fair.Amy thought as Lucas slowly, almost lazily, kissed her.This just was not fair.How was she supposed not to fall in love with him when he kissed her like that—like he had all the time in the world, and he simply didn’t care what he was doing to her?Amy’s fingers curled against his chest, torn between pulling him closer and pushing him away. She knew this was dangerous, knew it would only complicate things further, but when his lips moved against hers with that maddening patience, every rational thought vanished.Lucas made a low sound in the back of his throat, his hand sliding up her spine, his touch warm and steady. He wasn’t in a hurry, wasn’t rushing to take more. He was simply enjoying this, enjoying her.It wasn’t fair.Because the way he kissed her made her believe that she could have him all to herself.Amy knew better. She really did!Lucas wasn’t hers. He never had been, and he probably never would be. But in a moment like this, when his fingers traced her
Lucas lay beside Amy, his hands folded behind his head as he gazed up at the stars projected above them. The soft hum of the planetarium filled the air, but all he could focus on was the quiet rhythm of Amy’s breathing beside him.He felt at peace. No expectations and no responsibilities here. Just him and his Harpy.He turned his head slightly, glancing at her. She looked mesmerized by the stars, her eyes reflecting the soft light of the projection. Her lips were slightly parted as if she were drinking at the moment, and Lucas felt something tighten in his chest.“I think this is the calmest I’ve ever seen you,” he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips.Amy turned her head to look at him, an amused glint in her eyes. “Are you trying to tell me again I talk too much?”Lucas chuckled. “Oh, absolutely.”Amy laughed softly, shaking her head. “I guess I do talk too much. I am sorry if it bothers you. I can’t help it sometimes. I promise I will try to be more quiet.”Lucas frowned sl
The lunch rush has started.Amy zipped between the tables of the crowded diner, a tray balanced effortlessly on one hand.She delivered a steaming plate of meatloaf to Mr. Henderson, the retired schoolteacher who always insisted on extra gravy.“Guh. I need this today. Kids in my class are complete brats,” he complained.“Remember, Mr. H., it’s the digital age,” Amy quipped. “These kids can probably program your TV better than you can.” She laughed as he snorted into his coffee cup, waving a dismissive hand at her while hiding a grin behind his bushy mustache.“Ah, what do they know?” he grumbled.The bell above the diner door jingled.More customers, Amy thought. She was hoping today was a slow day, and she could go home early, but it didn’t seem like it was happening.“Look who decided to grace us with his presence,” Joanne murmured nearby, her voice low and teasing.Amy followed Joanne’s nod toward the entrance, where Lucas stood.Amy froze.“You go, Amy. You must’ve charmed his so
They all ate in silence. When they were done, Ben suggested that everyone go to the porch for some fresh air.Once they were out, the crisp evening air wrapped around them. Amy wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep warm, but Lucas noticed the slight shiver that ran through her.Without hesitation, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Before she could protest, he pulled her closer against his side, his arm wrapping securely around her.Amy blinked up at him, surprised. “What are you—”“You are cold,” he said simply, his voice firm but gentle.Over Amy’s shoulder, he caught Alicia watching them.She stood near the porch railing, her expression grim.Lucas wondered if this whole plan was already a success, and Alicia was jealous.Lucas held her gaze for a beat, then smirked, tightening his arm around Amy just a little more.Alicia looked away, her lips pressing into a thin line.Amy hissed near his ear. “What are you doing, Lucas?”“Keeping you warm,” he
Lucas immediately spotted Alicia as soon as he entered the dining room.As soon as her gaze met his, her mouth hung open, and her eyes turned wide.Lucas grinned. This was the exact reaction he was hoping for. “Hello, Alicia,” he said in a smooth voice.“You two know each other?” Amy’s mother asked.“I went to college with him,” Alicia said, her voice tight.“YOU DID! NO WAY!” Amy exclaimed in a high-pitched, exaggerated voice, and Lucas could barely contain his laughter.Someone give this girl an award for the worst acting performance.Alicia shot Amy a look. “Yes, I did,” she said, regaining some composure.Amy gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. “Oh my god, were you two, like… a thing? This is so awkward.”Lucas snorted while Alicia visibly clenched her jaw.“No,” Alicia said sharply. We were just acquaintances, that’s all.”“Oh, thank goodness. Because this would’ve been so weird if my date was your boyfriend or something,” Amy said in a conspiratory tone.Alicia w
Saturday night came too fast for Amy.She wasn’t prepared. Not mentally, anyway.She was anxious about seeing Lucas again and doubly stressed about spending time with her mother and her new family. Every time she was in their presence, her mom found a way to make her look bad.She stood in front of her mirror, smoothing down her sundress, debating whether she should change for the third time.Her mother was always so critical about how she dressed and how she looked. What if she thought Amy was overdressed? Or underdressed?A knock at her door made her jump. She took a deep breath and opened it to find Lucas leaning against the door frame, looking effortlessly handsome in a fitted jacket and dark jeans.“Ready to go?” he asked, flashing that boyish grin that made her stomach flip.“You are here too early,” she said, forcing herself to sound casual.Lucas raised an eyebrow. “I am?”He glanced at his watch, then back at her with an amused smirk. “Pretty sure I’m right on time.”Amy huff
Lucas took a bite of the cheeseburger and grinned. “Not too bad. Definitely better than what I expected from a diner.”“It’s no fancy food you are used to, that’s for sure,” Amy said.“What’s your favorite item on the menu?” Lucas asked.Amy’s eyes brightened. “The apple pie!”“Oh really?” he raised an eyebrow. “I am more of a peach cobbler kind of guy.”“With Vanilla ice cream?” Amy inquired.Lucas chuckled. “Is there any other way to eat it?”Amy leaned towards him, her tone conspiratory. “By the way. Did you have something to do with the whole…sick grandma situation?”Lucas paused, his burger halfway to his mouth, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Maybe,” he said, setting the burger down and leaning back in his seat, his eyes glinting with amusement.“How did you do that? You sound nothing like me,” Amy joked.“I called in a favor. My younger sister, Sky, called your boss and pretended to be you,” he said. “She loves acting, so I figured, why not give her something she would enjoy?”“N
“Amy, you are back! I am so sorry about your grandma,” Joanne exclaimed, giving Amy a big hug.Amy blinked. “My grandma?”Joanne released her from her embrace and looked at her, her eyes full of sympathy. “Brian told me you called and told him you needed a week off to visit your sick grandma in Tennessee.”“I did?” Amy asked but then quickly recovered. “Ah, yes. I did. Poor granny,” she said, thinking about both of her grandmas, who had been dead for years now.Joanne patted Amy’s arm. “You did a good thing by going to her. Family comes first.”Amy forced a tight smile. “Thanks, Joanne. She will be fine. Where is Brian?”Joanne glanced toward the back office. “He’s in the back office.” Joanne gave her another sympathetic smile. Amy swallowed down the guilt bubbling up inside her. “Yeah… thanks, Joanne.”Amy made her way toward Brian’s office. So she wasn’t fired because someone called Brian and made up the fake grandma story.She lightly knocked on his door.“Come in,” Brian called o