Page 78 of Fated Shot

Jack

“Can I get you folks anything else?” The kind, older waitress asks us as she clears away our plates.

“Just the bill, please,” I respond.

“You got it. All on one check?”

I reply, “Yes,” before either of them has a chance to object.Like mother like daughter, clearly, because they both look like they are waiting to stop me. I turn to them, sighing playfully.

“I would like to pay for our lunch. I've really appreciated spending this time together, and it would be my pleasure to do so. May I?” I direct it mostly at Bev, my only hope of preventing further objection from Mia.

“That is incredibly kind of you, Jack. Thank you,” she says with a kind smile, turning to Mia, who already looks exasperated.

At her mom’s glance, though, she drops her defenses, playfully rolling her eyes.

"He always pays, Mom.”

The moment it leaves her mouth, a cute little squeal escapes her. Whipping her head, she gives her mom a look as she rubs her leg under the table. She then proceeds to turn sweetly to me.

“Thank you, Jack.” And just when I thought there’d be no further sass, “For payingyetagain” comes out with a playful smirk.There’s my girl.

The more comfortable she is, the feistier she gets. I love it when she lets her guard down and is exactly who she needs to be.There’s no more need to build a barrier or withhold any of her feelings. I can’t get enough of her; I don’t think I ever will.

After we send her mom off in an Uber, we decide to walk back to Parkside Place. We’re making our way down the street when she, as naturally as anything, reaches for my hand. Intertwining her fingers with mine, she continues the conversation as we walk.

It’s like I’m the sad, little, lost puppy at the shelter who just found his forever home. The way my heart accelerates at such a simple gesture does not bode well for my cardiovascular health and extending my career, but this has just become the norm around her. It’s so symbolic how she so effortlessly shows me exactly what life is like together, exactly how to be. I get to be with her, she is choosing me.

I smile down at her vibrant aura, dark blonde curls bouncing with every step, eyes alight with every ounce of joy and passion that radiates through her. She is the epitome of sunshine in human form. All I ever want is to make her happy and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

“Can I show you something?” she asks so sweetly, but with a bit of uncertainty in her voice that causes a pang in my chest. Everything she does excites me. I don’t want her to ever feel like she needs to be hesitant. She could show me a pebble at this point, and I’m confident I’d still be amazed.

“Lead the way, Wyndham,” I say as she pulls my hand further down the street, walking—actually bobbing along—until we reach the spot I’d been wondering if she’d take us past.

A half step ahead of me, she comes to a screeching halt, face dropping immediately. I scan our surroundings anxiously for the culprit of her disappointment. I’ll destroy anything that gets in the way of what she wants.

The white brick building in front of us features a large glass window, allowing a clear view of the pristine stainless steelkitchen within. The blackKitchen Collectivelogoisstamped on it and hanging just below is a red ‘leased’ sign.

“It’s—” her voice cuts out. “Um, I guess someone took the spot. I was going to show you—the—” she starts to point toward the building before her hand falls, her head following to drop to the ground.

“I thought I’d have more time to decide…” She looks up at me, heartbreak swimming in her eyes.

“I—um, wouldn’t worry about that,” I say, not reassuringly at all.

Fuck, I’m bad at this. She looks like she’s going to cry. I don’t want her to fucking cry.

She takes an intentional breath.

“Y-you’re right, it wasn’t meant to be, I guess,” she says, but her eyes stayed glued to the kitchen space within.

This is not how this was supposed to go.Just tell her.

“That’s not what I meant.” She turns to me, head tilting slightly in confusion. “I kinda got it for you.”

“W-what?” Her eyes look into my soul imploringly.

The moment it leaves my mouth, I feel a pit in my stomach. Who even does that? FUCK.

This isn’t some stupid rom-com; this is real life. ‘Girls like grand gestures,’ Penn’s voice radiates through my head. Why the fuck do I keep taking advice from a twenty-three-year-old?

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