Page 22 of Jacob

“I believe there is someone who is made perfectly for every one of us. But fate dictates whether you find them or not,” I reply easily, having spent many an hour thinking about this.

“Fate.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I feel like it’s fate that you moved here.”

“You do?” I question, my heart hammering.

“Yeah, and I’m glad you sat down beside me.”

“Why?”

“Because who would have told meThe Princess Bridewas a book? I could have spent the rest of my life not learning that interesting, but very important fact, then I would look like a complete dumbass for passing English Lit without ever knowing.” He lifts his elbow against the table and rests his head on his hand. “Maybe you should teach this class.”

I chuckle.

“Do you have a copy ofThe Princess BrideI can borrow?” he asks.

“You read?”

“Rude, but yeah, of course I read.”

I dip my hand into my backpack, and pull out my copy. “Guard this with your life.”

He reaches for it, but I pull it back. “Promise me you won’t lose it.”

He draws an imaginaryXover his heart.

“If you do, you will die a painful death by dragon fire.”

I lay my book out for him to take and he says, “I will guard it with my life.”

“You had better.”

We spend the rest of the lesson focused on the work and when the bell rings, I start packing my things back into my backpack as a shadow appears by my side, blocking Jacob from my view. “Hey, I’m Owen.”

My trip down memory lane quickly bursts into a million jagged pieces as soon as Owen appears in it.

I’d forgotten that day until now… well, forgotten that Owen was there when I first met Jacob.

Remembering it now, I think Jay liked me from the first moment we met, but like always, Owen railroaded his way in. Taking what he wanted. Not caring about who he hurt in the process. I didn’t see it then, but I see it now.

With my ears submerged under the water, a distorted voice startles me, making my eyes spring open.

Standing on the side of the sunken hot tub, in all of his six-foot-two broad and dark glory, is Jacob.

Subconsciously moving as far away from him as I possibly can, I ease my feet to the floor of the tub. Pushing my hair back off my forehead, I glide back and park my backside on the lip of the underwater seat.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asks, standing with his legs wide, hands in his pockets, and dominating the outdoor space.

“Yes, thank you.”

“I’ve never seen you with your hair completely down before.” He rolls his tongue over his top teeth.

“Do you like it?”

“I do.” He loosens his tie and then undoes the knot before sliding it slowly out of his shirt collar, then proceeds to undo the top button of his white shirt. “You should wear it down more often.”

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