Chapter 4

"I will be absent for a good part of the day anyway, darling. I have to go shopping and I'll do yours too. Enjoy your day. How are your hands?"

"I'm in a little pain, but it's going to be fine. I'm going to take a shower, see you soon!"

  "I will leave the money on the table. I'll leave before you go out."

I didn't want to get out of the shower. The water was grilling me and my body was relaxed, but if I wanted to arrive on time, I had to go.

Wrapping the towel around my body, I went to what would be my room. It was not too bad, just some paint and new blinds and it will look new.

I opened my suitcase and took out a pair of  jeans, a T-shirt, my boots and my leather jacket. After drying my hair and smoothing it, I took my hat and scarf. It is the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. I didn't like being cold, but winter was my favorite season of the year.

I had done a makeover and I got on my way. When I heard a car honking, I took my bag and my phone and got off. I remembered the money. I had put it in my back pocket. I closed the door and I went to her car.

"Hello" , I smiled.

"Hat and scarf?" She smiles as she drives away in the street.

"It's cold outside and it's not much warmer here. Damn it, Alanna, turn on the heating. These people are never cold? And she was only wearing a sweater.

She winked at me and turned on the heating for me.

"So I thought we'd go for a coffee and then I'd take you around the mall, is that okay with you?"

"It sounds good and it's better than being alone at home all day."

"Did your grandmother go out?"

"Shopping for the house. She wants everything to be perfect for me, for us.It was true,I have never lacked anything in life. She always ensured that I had everything I needed.

"She looks cool for a grandma" ,she said laughing, stopping in front of the café. "It's not Starbucks but it makes the best coffee."

"You got me at the cafe."I unbuckled  my seat belt and we entered. It was small but pleasant.

  "I'm going to get the coffee, and you find a place for us to sit."

And that's what I did. I found the perfect place at the bottom, right next to the window.I liked to observe people, to know what was happening around me. As I watched the world go by, my heart pounded when my eyes landed on him.

Jake.

And he came here, but he was not alone.

" I didn't know what you were drinking, so I brought you everything you needed."

I put the cup in front of me and added some sugar and a little milk. I knew he was watching me, I felt his gaze on me.

"I hope you won't mind my friend Lacey joining us." She took off her sweater and left it on the back of the chair. I did the same and I removed mine, my hat and my gloves.

"It's not a problem, I'm always ready to meet new people. I made a big mistake: I looked up at him. My eyes crossed his, but this time, I immediately looked away. I didn't like that he had a girl sitting on his lap. I had no idea why I didn't like it. I didn't even know him. I was jealous and it wasn't my thing to be jealous.Why did I feel that way?

"Ignore him"

"I didn't ask my eyes to cross his."

"You haven't stopped watching him since he came in. My brother has this effect on girls, Maddy , please don't fall into his trap."

"It's not that it's…"

"Hello girls, " says this girl  with blond hair, taking the free place next to Alanna.

"Winter is going to be cold this year." She took off her jacket and smiled at me: "I'm Lacey, delighted to meet you Maddy ."

"Me too."

"I'm going to get some coffee and you can keep saying that you're not watching Jake", she smiled, and my mouth opened. How did she know that? In fact, how did she hear our conversation?

I was speechless. I carried the cup to my lips and drank a sip. I was starting to get hungry and I really wanted sugar. As if she had read my thoughts, Lacey came back with three chocolate muffins. My stomach started gurgling at their sight.

"Put your teeth in it."The two girls sat down and looked at me while I was biting into my muffin.

"What?" I moan while closing my eyes when the taste of chocolate invades my tongue. "I'm addicted to sugar, it's stronger than me." I licked my lips and drank a little more coffee.

"Oh, we're going to be great friends!" Lacey winked "Now keep talking about Jake and  you guys giving eye contacts".

"I wasn't looking at him!"  I sniffed and the two girls looked at me with a stupid look. "Okay, I was watching, but it's as if I couldn't prevent myself from it. It's weird, this has never happened to me.

"Oh my God!" Lacey looked at Alanna's corner, but it did not go unnoticed. "You already have the virus and you've only been there for a day." They both laughed, but I had the impression that they were hiding something.

I don't even know him and I'm jealous that he has a girl on his lap. It's not me. I hated that. I've never been the jealous type, I've never been. I wasn't that kind of girl. If I was with a man, I trusted him to be with me and only with me. I didn't see the interest of jealousy.

But there, it was different. I don't know what's happening to me.

" I think I'm going to have my period." While sniffing, I started eating the rest of the muffin. Not once did I turn around. No matter how noisy the girls were or how much my body wanted to, I never did it.

"I'm going to get another cup, do you want another muffin? Asked Alanna while  taking my cup. I wanted to eat everything but I have Decided not to do it.

"No, coffee is enough for me."

" He has a good heart."Lacey got up, forcing him to look at her. It was the second time I heard this. I was not interested in him and I was never going to let myself be put in this situation. From what Alanna had  just said, her brother seems to be a player.

"I'm not that kind of girl." I shrugged my shoulders. And I wasn't. I didn't sleep  right and left with anyone. It took me a whole year to sleep with Jude.

"I know, but I think you may be what he is looking for." She winked at me and looked up at him. The girl was no longer on his lap and he was looking at me.

He looked angry..

"OK, after drinking this, we'll go shopping and then we'll go get drinks for tonight."

"What's going on tonight?"

"On Friday, we go to the beach. We drink beer, light a bonfire, have fun and refresh ourselves on weekends. Are you ready for that?"

"Is there a beach?" I smiled, I was already feeling excited.

Alanna looked at Lacey, then they both looked at me.

" I come from Florida, the beach has been my thing in my entire life. You can bet your sweet ass that I am.

"Let's start the weekend as soon as possible!"