Page 23 of Count On Me

Eddie

Maybe it’s time we did.

Eddie

I have to get back to work. Chat soon…

‘Maybe it’s time we did.’What the fuck does that mean? And why do I suddenly feel like my whole life is starting to unravel around me?

14

EDIE

Normal people get butterflies gently fluttering around in their tummies. Not me. I have full-on birds flapping around in there, with wingspans of eagles.

I run my fingers through my red curls and then catch myself and stop. Angie will kill me if I ruin the ‘just rolled out of bed and my hair looks mer-mazing’ look she spent two hours creating. I shift on the seat and cross one leg over the other, instantly regretting the move as the leather leggings I’m wearing rub against each other and let out a loud fart-like noise. I quickly straighten up and pray to God the next table didn’t hear that, or think it was what it sounded like if they did.

I should never have let Angie convince me to do this. Meeting Jax for lunch is fine, but meeting him dressed like this, and going through with Angie's plan, is a recipe for disaster. I haven't seen Jaxson for a week. But he’s blown my phone up so much in that space of time, proving Angie’s point that he misses me and we’re doing the right thing.

The next step of her plan is to get him to realise I'm desirable to other men. Make him see I’m Edie: sexual goddess of London, and not Eddie: childhood best friend—her words not mine. Andas if the damn video she posted of me wasn’t enough, she’s forced me to step out of my comfort zone and wear something I wouldn’t ever dream of picking for myself. She told me to casually leave my phone on the table so when a text from Tom comes through, he’ll see it. She seems to think one text from ‘another man’ is going to make him go all alpha on me, flip the table and throw me over his shoulder, grunting, ‘mine’ at everyone.

It’s stupid, but something needs to change with us. One way or another. I’ve tried being subtle, tried being the dutiful friend, and all that did was get me friend zoned. Now I’m willing to see if jealousy will make him do something about our situation. If not, it’s time I got over him completely.

It’s why I agreed to wear the brand new ridiculous farting black leggings, a black top cut low enough to give a glimpse of my red bra beneath it, and matching fire engine red heels. It’s why I’ve got lipstick on and my hair teased to within an inch of its wavy life. It’s why I’m so bloody nervous.

Glancing around quickly, I shift in my seat, carefully, not making any sudden movement for fear of ungodly noises coming from these ridiculous things encasing my legs. I smile politely at the older couple sitting next to me. I let my gaze wander over the high ceilings, chandeliers, and the black and gold decor of the restaurant. It looks so decadent and sophisticated. Like something out of a story book.

I turn my focus to the left of my table and watch as a couple are seated. A woman with long, dark hair and piercing blue eyes smiles up at the huge, handsome man she's with. He beams a smile back to her and sits opposite. He reaches for her hand and she gives it freely. He brings it to his lips, and I shyly lower my lashes at the desire that flits over her face as he tells her,‘mine.’Her gentle laughter floats over the low music filtered through the speakers, and she replies in a soft Irish accent,‘Always.’

Watching their interaction, I utter a sigh and a quiet ‘aw,’ but as their heads both swing in my direction I realise I must’ve been louder than I thought. I smile politely and avert my eyes quickly, knowing that the flaming heat in my cheeks has told them I was spying.

I deliberately keep my eyes from the table next to me and scan the rest of the restaurant. As my attention focuses on the entrance, the door opens and my heart skips a beat.

Jaxson Brady is a sight for sore eyes. His dirty blond hair is coiffed to perfection. His blue eyes are sparkling, and his dimples are in full force as he smiles politely at the server. As my heart starts to flutter, I quickly grab my phone and type ‘go’ to Angie/Tom and pretend I haven’t noticed him arriving.

Taking the seconds before he’s at our table to compose myself, I focus on breathing steadily and try to tame my pulse that's racing just from looking at him.

A throat clears next to me, and even if I hadn’t seen him arrive, I would’ve known it was him. The hairs on my arms stand up, like they’re desperately trying to reach for him. My nipples strain against my top, begging for his touch, and my senses are invaded by everything that makes up Jaxson Brady. His scent is calling to my soul, telling it ‘I’m the one.’ I take a long breath in and hold it for a second, trying to savour the mix of his aftershave, a hint of citrus, and the smell that is uniquely him.

“Hey, Eddie.” He speaks so quietly, it throws me. I place my phone down on the table, stand up, and find him devouring me with his gaze. His eyes take in every feature of my face. They look into my own before roaming over my hair and lingering on my lips. He looks down to my exposed cleavage and I can feel the blush covering every inch of my face and neck. Once he’s finished scouring my body, he brings his eyes back to mine and gives me a slow, sexy smile that almost takes my breath away.“Hi, Edie.” His voice is gravelly, and that, mixed with the heat I see in his eyes, is making my body ache with need.

“Hi, Jaxson,” I breathe out to him as he reaches down to hug me. As his strong arms wrap around me, I sigh in relief. In his arms, I’m home. I feel him sigh, too, and then take a deep breath before putting some distance between us.

“You look amazing. Did you dress up for me?” The slight glimmer of hope in his voice almost makes me tell him yes, but the humour in it makes me remember the last time I told him I wanted to look nice for him.

‘You don’t have to look nice for me. I don’t even see what you wear. You’re just plain ol’ Eddie to me.’

With an air of confidence that I didn’t know I had, I brush my hair from my shoulders and shake my head. “No, I’m meeting someone later and wouldn’t have had enough time to change. Sorry to disappoint you.” I force a laugh to come out of my mouth and give a silent cheer of victory when it isn’t tainted with nerves. As I sit back down at our table, I deliberately look anywhere but at him. I don’t want to see hurt—or worse, relief—etched on his face.

He sits down and immediately starts bouncing his leg which I know means he's nervous or upset. “What’s up?” I ask casually, and he shakes his head. “You’re bouncing your leg, Jaxson. I’m your best friend, I know when something’s up. Spill it.” This time I look directly into his baby blues and stare him down. Willing him to finally say he wants me and that he sees me as Edie, not Eddie.

“Um, just worried about soccer, that's all. There’s paps outside, so we shouldn’t leave together. You won’t want to be pictured with me.” His teeth sink into his bottom lip and he chews furiously on it. I roll my eyes, sigh and nod as I lift the menu up and pretend to read it.

“Why are you reading the menu? Just get what you always get,” he tells me but I shrug nonchalantly.

“I feel like a change.” I don’t. We’ve come to this restaurant for years and I know the menu like the back of our hands. I want to get what I normally get. I want the beautiful spaghetti carbonara, but I need to prove a point.

“What's with all the changes, Eddie? You’re dressing up. You haven’t got time to chat with me. You’re dancing on bars. That one I actually liked.” He tries to cover the vulnerability in his voice with a soft laugh, but I heard it.

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