Page 9 of Meant to Be

“I hope you didn’t mind me meeting you from school?”

“No, of course not.”

When he hadn’t texted me, I thought he’d had second thoughts about me.

“Good. I may be spending more time here meeting you than when I actually had to come here.” He smiles and winks, I feel like I’ve got butterflies doing somersaults in my tummy. “Do you have to go straight home?”

“No, my Mums at work, she is every day until five pm and then she doesn’t get back until almost six, so it’s okay.

“Fancy going somewhere. I haven’t got much money, but I thought we could get a Mcflurry from Maccies.”

“Well, I love Mcflurries so yeah please.”

We walk to McDonald's closely, side by side, his hand almost touching mine.

When we reach the restaurant, Jaxon holds the door open for me and asks which one I want. Telling him my preference, I go find us a table. I sit down at a booth in the window and wait for him.

“One Oreo Mcflurry madam.”

I smile as he messes about bowing as he places it on the table. Thinking he’s going to sit opposite, he surprises me by sitting next to me. Looking at his side profile, I find it’s as sexy as his full one. He has a sharp nose with a strong jawline with just a very light covering of stubble. Scooping some ice cream out of the plastic cup, I place it in my mouth, savouring the chocolatey taste.

“Which one did you get?” I inquire.

“Dairy milk. Want some?”

Shaking my head… “No, it’s fine.” He scoops some ice cream onto the spoon and holds it in front of me. Taking the spoon from him, I try his.

“Mmm.” I swallow down the cold dessert. Once I’m finished, I sit back against the chair. “So, Jaxon, how old are you then?”

“Asking questions now are we?” His dark eyes burn into me.

“Yes... if that’s alright?”

“I’m eighteen.” Jax smiles, looking away from me, but he then quickly turns back. “Does that matter?” he asks concerned.

“No.”

“Good, because I like you, Shelby.” A wide smile pulls at my mouth, but before I can answer he speaks again... “Is that smile to say that you like me too?”

“I do like you.” I nod agreeing. He smiles and takes my hand in his. “I’m not sure whether I’ll get to see you much though, my mum is strict and doesn’t think I should have a life until after my exams.

Entwining our fingers, our heads dip at the same time to look at our joined hands.

“I understand.” Glancing across at me, his intense eyes stare deeply into mine. “I better get you home then.”

Still holding my hand, he pulls me from the seat as I grab my bag behind me, he takes it from me and carries it for me.

“Oh, you’re such a gentleman.”

“Don’t believe that for a minute.”

“I don’t.” I laugh.

Putting his arm around my shoulder, we walk from the restaurant and make the fifteen-minute walk back to my house. I don’t know how many times I look to my side and wonder whether I’m doing the right thing? We seem to have gone from introductions to a place where we’re comfortable with each other, that can’t be right. All the way home, if his arm wasn’t around me, he was holding my hand - like he had to touch me.

When we reach the house, he sits on the wall outside. He pats the wall, so I sit next to him, our thighs touch sparking off those butterflies again. Twisting his body around he sits on the wall, facing me, letting one leg hang down the other side. He takes my hand in his again.

“Have you ever been kissed Shelb?”

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