Page 20 of Forever Mine

“Oh right. Hi. Is everything okay?”

The guy frowned, confused. “Huh?” I gestured toward the balloon. “Oh, right. Yeah it’s fine. Just visiting my…mom. She had hip surgery.”

Something about the way the guy stared at me set me on edge. It was like he wasn’t blinking. “I wish her a speedy recovery.” I shifted on my feet. I didn’t want to be rude, but I needed to fucking go. “It was nice talking to you, but I have to go. My boyfriend is waiting for me and we’re meeting my parents for lunch.”

“Oh right. You said you had a boyfriend. He made you come in here on your own?” Everything about his demeanor changed, and I took an involuntary step back.

“Excuse me?”

Something darkened in John’s expression, but before I could really process it, the automatic doors of the hospital slid open and I saw Jay walking through.

Relieved, and more than ready to go, I met him halfway and wrapped my arms around him. He ducked his head and I kissed him lightly. Normally, I wouldn’t do that at my workplace, but I was feeling all kinds of off, and besides, I was never going to turn down a kiss from Jay. He was always a little clingy, when he wasn’t pushing me away, but after our conversation/fight from the other day, it’s been on another level. We couldn’t stop fucking touching each other. Not that I was complaining.

Still, I think Jay could tell something was up. He frowned at me. “Everything okay? I know I told you I’d wait in the car, but I changed my mind. Is that okay? Were you able to find your wallet?”

I smiled. “Yeah, baby. It’s fine and I found it. Sorry it took me so long, I ran into someone.” I turned around to gesture to John, but he wasn’t there anymore. Weird. “I guess he left.”

“Did he say somethin’ to you? Somethin’s wrong.” His tone deepened and his whole body stiffened, ready for a fight. That probably shouldn’t have turned me on, right?

“Oh no, it’s fine. He’s the cashier at the store near my parents. He’s a little odd, but he’s harmless.”

Jay didn’t seem convinced, but I’d already spent too much time worrying about this guy. I took his hand and led him out. He let me pull him away but he kept twisting his head around like he expected John to jump out from the shadows or something.

When we got to the car, I pushed him against the door and cupped his cheeks. “Jay, everything is fine, okay?”

“It didn’t seem like that. You were uncomfortable when I walked in. I saw it from the door.”

My stomach felt all swoony. I didn’t need him to be all overprotective of me. I was capable of caring for myself. Didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it now and again. Still… “Don’t get me wrong, I’m kind of here for this caveman protector thing. But can you maybe look a little less murdery when you meet my parents?”

That seemed to do the trick and Jay snapped out of whatever hold he was in. “Shit. I’m sorry. I’m good. I promise.”

“Okay. Come on. Let’s go so we’re not late.”

Jay took one more long look over my shoulder before agreeing. I waited till he was in the car and the door was shut before I ran to the driver’s side and got in.

“You sure I look alright?” Jay asked for the fiftieth time as we stood in front of my car in the parking lot of the small Italian restaurant. I saw my parents’ car parked by the door, but they must have been waiting inside.

“Like I already said, yes, you look amazing.” He really did. His dark gray Henley fit his slim frame nicely and covered most of his tattoos that seemed to be a worry for him. His black jeans were slightly loose around the waist and I had a feeling he borrowed them from Beckett. They still looked good though. He was wearing his usual beat-up high-top Chucks, but I convinced him they were fine. He would’ve been way too hot in his boots, and that was all he had besides his work boots. His dark brown hair was styled back, unlike his usual loose and shaggy look, and I was pretty sure he trimmed the sides up this morning.

Jay tugged on the sleeves of his shirt. If he kept doing that, he’d stretch it out. Since I saw the tag still tucked in the back, that I discreetly tucked back in for him, I had a feeling he bought it just for this occasion and planned on returning it after. He wouldn’t be able to do that if he kept tugging at it. I grabbed his hands before he could pull again.

“Jay.” His eyes snapped to mine. “Take a breath for me, love.”

I inhaled, giving him something to follow. He matched my breaths, in and out for a few seconds, before I was sure he wouldn’t pass out. “We don’t have to do this. They’d understand if you need to wait. I’d understand,” I added, because I was pretty sure that would be his bigger worry.

Jay shook his head though. “No. No. I can do this. Iwantto do this. I’m being weird. Let’s go.”

He started to turn away to head to the restaurant, but I stopped him. “You’re not being weird. Get that through your head right now. It’s okay to be nervous.”

He let out a sound, somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. “Yeah. Yeah, okay. I am nervous. But I still want to do this.”

Sure that he wasn’t lying, I knocked my shoulder into his arm. “Let’s go then. Just be yourself, Jay. Everything will be good as long as you be yourself.”

CHAPTER 9

JAY

Just be yourself.Yeah, that’s easy for Kota to say. His regular self was fuckin’ perfect. I’m sure all his exes’ parents loved him on sight. Why wouldn’t they?

---