Page 14 of Fake Love

She nods her head as if she was expecting that answer.

“Let me guess, you’re a tech extraordinaire?” The question comes out as we make our way across another street and head towards a few tents on the sidewalk.

I shake my head. “Not tech. Sports actually.” I say, giving her something but not everything.

“That’s cool,” Jen gives me a smile before she reaches for the bag of food I’m holding.

Without a word, I hand it to her. She rewards me with another smile before she takes it and starts to walk toward the tents ready to hand out the hours-old pastries.

I follow behind her as she goes tent to tent, talking to each individual as she hands them something to eat.

Every single man and woman that she approaches greets her by her name and with a smile, giving her their thanks for their food.

My eyes never leave Jen as we walk to the end of the street.

Maybe it’s for her protection and to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.

Or maybe because the more I watch her the more I’m captivated by her. More so than what I was in the coffee shop.

I don’t know what it is that makes me keep my eyes on her, on how her body moves as she walks, on her face as it lights up when someone tells her they appreciate her, but it’s something.

When the bag is empty and we reach the other end of the street, Jen looks both happy about what she did but also heartbroken all in the same.

“You okay?” I ask her as we wait at the crosswalk.

She nods. “Yeah, it just sucks that I can’t do more, you know?”

I give her a nod in return. “Yeah, I do. Maybe one day you will be able to.”

Even though I don’t know this woman all that well, I hope that I’m right because it seems like her heart is in the right place. A part of me wants to make it happen for her.

We continue to walk a few more blocks until we reach a building that looks like it has seen better days. If I had to guess, the building is at least one hundred years old.

“Well, this is me.” She says nodding toward the metal door. “Thank you for walking me home.”

I give her a smile. “You’re welcome. Thank you for letting me, and for the free coffee.”

“If you’re ever back in the city, come by the coffee shop and I’ll repay you for the walk home.”

“I’ll take you up on that.” I say, not telling her that I will be in the city a lot more than she thinks.

She gives me a smile and I give her one back as we just stand on the sidewalk with a few feet between us.

I didn’t plan on what to do after we had reached her place, it’s not like I was going to invite myself in and invade her space.

Guess it's time for me to finally leave the captivating coffee shop girl.

“Have a good rest of your night, Jennifer.” I say, breaking the distance between us and placing a small kiss against her cheek.

She wasn’t expecting the action and the small gasp she releases tells me as much.

When I pull away from her, the scent coming off her hair in my nose, I give her a smile before turning to walk away.

I’m not even five feet away from her when I hear my name being called.

“Maddox.”

I turn and see that she is looking at me in a way I sure as hell didn’t expect.

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