Page 61 of Blinded By Love

That’s why Jaclyn needs to stay far away.

But she isn’t the problem. She never was.

It’s impossible to resist something you want so bad when you’re not allowed to have it.

Twenty-Nine

Jaclyn

“How have classes been for the semester?” Lucas asks as he sits across from me.

We’re currently at No-Doze Diner for dinner. He said that we should go somewhere where I feel comfortable and that’s why we’re at No-Doze Diner.

It’s not the worst place I’ve been to but for a date I wish we could have gone somewhere more exciting.

Lucas has been nothing but kind though. He opened the door for me, took my hand in his as we walked to a booth. He’s been nice.

Very nice.

Everything opposite from Hayden who I can’t help but keep comparing him too.

It’s been a week since we got back from Utah and Hayden hasn’t been around. I haven’t seen him since we arrived in Arizona. Natalia doesn’t know where he is but she knows he’s safe because he’s talked to Kayden.

They told me it’s normal for him to go MIA once in a while.

I want to know where he is, even though he acted the way he did in Utah. He is so back and forth it gives me whiplash. I wish I could affect him as much as he affects me.

“Classes have been good. I'm mainly taking the same courses. No new ones or anything. What about you?” I ask. Lucas explains what’s currently happening in his business class while I listen, giving my input every now and then. One of the new waitresses I trained comes by and takes our drink orders before telling us she’ll be back to get our food orders in. “I really hope you’re okay with coming here. I just wanted us hanging out to feel natural.”

I furrow my eyebrows at him and shake my head slowly. “No, don't worry about it. I like that you are considerate. I appreciate it a lot.” I give him a small smile and he blushes a little.

The way he is so nice makes me unsure of what to do because how do I not like a guy who is perfect? It seems impossible to like someone who seems so nice and perfect for me but when it comes to guys like Hayden, it’s easy to fall into their trap.

I don’t like the butterflies Hayden gives me by just thinking of his lips on mine. I hate how I can't help but smile when thinking about the way he kissed me, despite him saying it was a mistake.

“What are you thinking?” Lucas asks, making me focus on him.

“What?” I furrow my eyebrows at him, confused.

“You just were smiling so I was wondering what’s going through your head.”

I blush immediately and feel guilty for thinking about another guy when I’m on a date with one.

“Nothing. I just replayed a funny thing that happened to me during break,” I say at the same time the bell from the front door rings.

“What happened?” he asks.

I try to think of a quick lie at the same time I see Hayden walk past our table. The way his gray shirt hugs his upper body so well, I wish I could run my fingers along every muscle on his body. The way his back tenses makes me assume he knows I’m staring. Hayden goes to the table in the back of the diner.

“Hey, Jaclyn.” I force my eyes away from Hayden as he sits down and look up at Kayden.

I smile at him. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

Kayden and I have seen each other a few times after break. He said his break was good and that he enjoyed seeing his family since he hasn’t seen them for a while. He also told me he brought his girlfriend's old car to Arizona and if I ever want to check it out I can.

She had a 2014 M3.

Him mentioning his girlfriend is weird because every time he mentions her, his body turns rigid and he wants to shut off almost. It’s like he is forcing the word, girlfriend out of his mouth.

---