~L I L Y~

THE REST OF THE NIGHT I HAVE BEEN RESTLESS. I could not stop thinking about the kiss Jack and I shared in his car. The kiss was way more intimate than any of our kisses before. Though we never had much, it was still mind blowing.

I always thought that my first time kissing Jack would be really awkward and weird that we wouldn't speak for some time. That both of us would avoid the subject at all cost.

But Jack surprises me in ways that has me captivated.

I have only ever thought of Jackson as just a friend but it is more than that. I can feel it. Especially in the kiss we shared.

What Linda said, that I was falling for Jackson, I thought was insane. I have only been here for four to five weeks and I am already simping over him.

I still cannot believe I asked him about that woman, Lynn, I think.

Yes, I was kind of jealous because she was so beautiful and sophisticated. She looked like she could earn a lot by just standing there in a swim suit.

Jack knew I was jealous and I could see he liked it but he still made sure that I need not worry about him and that woman.

To be so attached in such little time was crazy. Not only because this is all ease coming from high school but because Jack still likes me after so many years.

I was stupid to have my doubts about him but he understood. And I was happy.

And now, I'm even more happy.

I sigh, turning on my bed and lying on my back. Eventually, I fall asleep at a terrible time, yet I sleep like an angel.

✎✎✎

"Lily!" I hear Mia yell from downstairs, her voice urgent. "Lily, get down here, right now!"

I groan, hopping out of bed, my eyes halfway closed. I stub my toe against my chest of draws, letting out a little cry. Now I'm wide awake! I hurry downstairs, every two seconds rubbing my poor pinky toe.

Darn you chest of draws!

I slowly stalk towards the kitchen, my eyes cast downwards watching my feet. I forgot it put on my slippers. Ugh, Mia! When I get to the counter, I take a seat on the stool and lie my head down.

"What, Mia?" I groan out, my eyes shut. "You can't be waking me up so early in the morning. And you sounded so urgent!"

I hear a sigh of annoyance and deep laughter coming from somewhere around me. "You look. . . Good."

My eyes widen and I look up to see Jack standing next to Mia, his hands tucked into his blue almost washed out jeans. I look at Mia only to see that she is giving me a knowing smirk.

Ugh!

She is going to pester me over and over again. Until she gets all the details and until she is satisfied.

"If that's your way of telling me I look like a zombie, than thanks!" I roll my eyes, standing to my feet. "What are you doing here so early?'

He raises his brow, grinning. "It's almost two in the afternoon, Lily. I had to come see if you were doing okay and I brought you donuts."

"I totally forgot to tell you! The day you went to see dad and fell asleep on the couch, Jackson bought Chinese, well, for you. And I. . . I ate it." Mia mutters the last part sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I'm just craving a lot these days, weirdly enough."

I laugh. "It's okay and I can't believe I slept so late. Please don't deduct any money from my salary! I'm saving for this really cute full on outfit."

My gaze is now fixed on Jack and he laughs. "Don't worry, I won't. I never deduct any money from anyone who gets paid unless it was for a stupid reason. You don't look like you got enough sleep last night."

"But still," I shake my head no. "I overslept. Just give me fifteen minutes to get ready." I rush out of the kitchen but Jack grabs my arm and pulls me toward his chest.

"Forgetting something?" He asks, leaning down.

I try to move away from him and face in another direction. "I have morning breath!"

He just smiles, "I don't care."

And just like that, he presses his lips to mine. It's like Mia is not even there because she is so quiet as we make out in front of her. After the kiss, I place a peck on his cheek and rush to my room with pink cheeks.

Twenty minutes later-since Jack stole my five minutes-I'm strolling down the stairs, my pinky toe still in shock of the unexpected bump.

"You're going to work like that?" Mia asks once she catches sight of me. I look down at my usual outfit and frown.

My rub off some cotton wool from my red jeans and look up at Mia. "What's wrong with it?"

She rolls her eyes. "You're always wearing jeans, Lily. Come with me-Jackson, could you wait for another two more minutes."

I look at Jack, his eyes solely on me with a heart stopping grin. "I don't mind."

"Great."

Mia pulls me up the stairs and into her spacious room. Spacious because she shares it with Rose and Nathan. Rose never wants to sleep without mommy or daddy.

I groan and sit down on the bed, falling to the back. "I don't need any of your clothes, Mia! I'm perfectly fine like this, and comfortable!"

Mia shakes her head no, strolling toward her mahogany wardrobe. Once she finds what is looking for, she turns around and holds it to her chest with a huge grin on her face.

"You're going to look so curvy and beautiful in this that Jackson would get so jealous because guys would be staring at you!" Mia squeals in a sickeningly high school girly tone and shoves the clothing in my arms. "Get dressed, I'll be downstairs."

She rushes out of the room, shutting the door and I hear her hurried yet excited footsteps speed walk down the stairs.

I stare at the clothing Mia gave me and sigh.

So much for avoiding the subject. I should not have allowed Jack to kiss me this morning. It was a good morning kiss though and it makes me think of the future where I could wake up and expect a morning kiss before I am even fully awake.

I undress myself and grab the black thermal pantyhose. I throw on the too tight pencil skirt and nude blouse.

I hate Mia for making me look like this. Now she got me addicted already.

It's beautiful. The blouse sits like a normal top, minus the fact that it has ruffles at the breasts. It covers my cleavage and still manages to look awesome.

I don't like how tight the skirt is though. I contemplate on changing back to my jeans and leaving the blouse but I shake my head. I want to see Jack's reaction to this very soft and sophisticated outfit that is not me.

I swear this is the only time I am wearing tight skirts in winter!

I grab my back and head down stairs. I don't change into heels and I'm sure Mia expects me to but I am not going to. I do not want to walk in the snow and have the heel of my shoe get stuck in it a lot.

Jack stares at the skirt I'm wearing, his eyes unreadable. I just stand there awkwardly, waiting for him to saying something, but he doesn't. He just stares at me.

I feel cheeks flush a scarlet of embarrassment and I clear my throat. I am about to offer that we leave for the bookstore but Jack stalks over to me.

Slowly.

Like a predator hunting down its prey.

He stops just mere inches away from me, his hands flying to my hips and his fingers tracing the hem of the skirt. My blouse is tucked into my skirt and hovers a little over the hem.

"You're the most gorgeous of gorgeous I have ever seen," he compliments, his gaze meeting my own. My breath hitches. His eyes are full of adoration that it weakens me to the knees. I have to grab onto his shoulders for support. His eyes lower to my lips and in the most softest voice, he mumbles, "can I kiss you, again?"

I don't hesitate as I nod, not being able to look away from his sharp gaze. Mia would have squealed right about now but she doesn't which means she probably left to go do something useful instead of watching me make out with Jack.

His lips find mine.

I feel my heart pound with emotions, the kiss deepening with every grasp that tightens around my heart strings.

The kiss we shared last night in Jack's car was nowhere near to how passionate and heartfelt this kiss is. It opens up a new door and leads me to feelings I have been trying to avoid these past few days.

Only this time, it is different. I allow it to lead me. I allow it to show me that having feelings for someone you afraid to love is okay. It is normal.

Jack's tongue sweeps across my lips, asking so gently for entrance. I give into him like my life depend on it. The kiss lasts longer than my breath would have expected it to and when I pull away, Jack places one last kiss on the corner of my lips.

"You have no idea what you are doing to me, Sweetheart."

✎✎✎

The skirt rolls up my thighs as I get into Jack's car. He closes the door and walks around to get to the drivers side. Quickly, I pull down the skirt, even though I'm wearing pantyhose under it.

"Can we stop to pick up Alex and Zeke?" I ask Jack once he gets into the car and he nods.

I'm still so flustered about the kiss earlier and my mind just keeps travelling to that one question. What are we? Because we certainly aren't friends.

"The bookstore closes next week," Jack informs me, starting a conversation. "I was wondering you'd like to go Christmas shopping with me?"

I glance up at him, smiling sweetly. "Definitely, we need it too."

Jack smiles, reaching over be grabbing my hand. He holds it close to his shoulder and places soft kisses to it once in a while. "Have you thought about it? The invitation of spending Christmas with my family and friends? Linda will be there, I just need to talk her husband into it. He can be stubborn at times."

I laugh, shaking my head no. "I haven't had time to think about it, I'm sorry. But I'm sure Mia and Nate are up for something new this year."

"Will you help me invite Alex?" Jack looks at me for a mere second before returning his gaze to the road.

"She wouldn't even hesitate to say yes, Jack."

✎✎✎

"YES! God yes, I am tired of spending Christmas alone. Zeke is tired of it as well, right Zekey?" Alex asks, enthusiasm rippling off of her like droplets of water bouncing on someones bald head.

Zeke nods, turning to Jack and standing in his seat. "Will you teach me how to drive?"

Jack grins, looking at him through the mirror. "Sure. I have to teach my brother how to drive as well, sooner or later."

The whole car ride is filled with chatter. Mostly about who brings what but Jack said not to worry about that. He has everything sorted.

"We have everything sorted." I say matter of factly, smiling at Jack. "I want to help with everything as well."

The bookstore was start to become clearer by each passing day. Chrismas was around the corner and people were buying books that'll last them for as long as possible. Or until the bookstore opens again.

The rest of the day, we cleared up the bookstore, helped as many customers as possible at once and even managed to move a few things around.

Jack and I had a few encounters here and there but we were mostly busy. Zeke just continued to read books that was way past his age group.

He would ask Jack, Alex or me-depends on who was closer to him-if the book he wanted to read was appropriate. Nothing was appropriate for him unless he read at the kid section.

Luckily, he only read books that weren't thick or big.

The day went by faster than I expected but I thought to myself; I woke up super late, o obviously the day would go by so fast. That used to happen to me a lot in high school.

On weekends, mostly and sick days.

"Don't forget, Lily. We still have a date to go on." Jack reminds me as he walks past me, carrying stacks of books from the back of his office and packing them in the shelves.

And the whole day, it was on my mind. The whole day I was thinking about the date and the whole I have been smiling like a foodie having a dream about food.

I think I'm in love with Jackson and we never went on a first proper date yet.

☃️☃️☃️

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