CHAPTER312
We stop a few times to thank well-wishers in passing, as if it’s the most surreal thing ever. I can see Hunter’s back with a struggling pair of legs sticking out to one side. They disappear behind a swaying velvet curtain and I have the urge to go follow them in a hurry.
“Put me down … NOW!” there’s an unmistakable yell as we get into the cooler night air and dim lights. Jake pulls the doors closed behind us and a waiter inside draws the curtains instinctively. I blink back at the movement and catch a tight look on Jake’s face. It makes me wonder if he issued the command for privacy. Or maybe the staff of this establishment are used to safeguarding its high-profile clientele from the media. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to their intruding presence.
Jake pulls me in front of him, wrapping his arms around my shoulders now we’re about seven feet away from the pair.
Leila is sitting as stiff and as straight as she can in his hold. Her legs taught and knees together, arms folded across her chest, staring straight ahead to avoid his glare. It would be almost comical if it weren’t for that hopeless look on Hunter’s face as he gazes at the rigid little woman in his arms. I can see the love he has for her pouring out like a waterfall.
“Not until you tell me you’re going to break up with that asshole, Leila.” Daniel is beyond livid, speaking through gritted teeth, sounding every bit the jealous boyfriend. I glance at Jake aware of another similarity and catch him smirking back at me.
At least he knows it.
Daniel has an air of aggression that Jake usually emanates and for a moment I think he might chuck Leila on the ground. The way he’s taking in her stubborn face and closed-off posture I wouldn’t blame him right now. The girl is more stubborn than me and has less ability to give any leeway.
“He wants to marry me. Why would I dump a guy who actually wants love and commitment from me?” She spits at him sarcastically, wriggling instead, realizing neither of them are going to back down with this odd standoff.
Daniel drops Leila down onto her own feet and yanks her around to face him with a little too much fury. He’s holding her by the upper arms, so they are inches apart, ducking his head to try to bridge their height difference.
I tense up, ready to wade in at his volatile behavior,
but Jake’s arms on me tighten. He obviously knows Daniel would never physically hurt her or I would be behind him right now.
“I’m not there yet, Leila. Okay? I’ve only just started getting my fucking head together but I’m doing this for you. Can’t you see that? I’m trying to sort my shit out, so I can be that guy who gives you love and commitment. I asked you to give me time and I fucking meant it. I wanted you to just give me a chance and wait for me. I fucking love you!” Daniel sounds ravaged and Leila’s stance crumbles a little. I open my mouth in shock at what he’s just said but Leila turns on him, accusingly, sheer anger in her little body as she tries to bring her height up to his by stretching.
“So, I’m supposed to just hold my fucking breath and wait? For how long? Put my life on hold while you figure out if you really can give a shit about one woman? In the meantime, we do what, exactly? You still fucking around and me twiddling my thumbs?” She starts to cry as her words tumble out of her mouth, her body sagging in defeat and Daniel softens too, his grasp on her arms loosening and he slides both hands down to bring her palms to his chest.
“I don’t know how to navigate this. You know I’ve never been here before! I’ve never wanted to fix this or go down this route Leila. All I know is that when we get close to something real, I freak out and run. I’m terrified that if I try to date you right now, I’m going to do it again. I don’t want to keep hurting you that way.” There’s sheer fear in his eyes, pleading, and his body is almost all but curled around her.
At least he’s honest. Another Jake trait.
“You don’t know if you don’t try.” Jake cuts in flatly, from his position behind me. His arms around my shoulders and his back to the closed patio door. “Just saying.” He shrugs, and I can feel his smirk as Daniel eyes him up and Leila stays intensely focused on Daniel’s profile. I can feel her willing him to make a choice—a real one.
“I don’t want to keep hurting you.” He looks at Leila and even from his tall, over six-foot height, to her tiny, five-foot odd, they still manage to lock eyes. No one can deny the electrical surge sparking all around them, an ever-present hum whenever these two get close. I wonder if Jake and I exude the same thing and he instinctively pulls his arms up around me a little more firmly.
“You’re hurting me now. By doing this. This nothing. This waiting thing.” She cries quietly, and he slowly lifts a hand to, tenderly, brush away the tears on her cheeks. She just slaps it away and he lifts his hand back up to try again, ignoring the furious little wildness in the girl he loves. His lack of reaction shows just how used to Leila’s outbursts Hunter really is and how tolerant he is."
