A Hunger to Share ( Book Two )

chapter 7

Jack 

Germany

Jack sat down on the front steps of the Brooks manor, and looked at the pale, rising sun, a cigarette between his lips.

He hadn't been able to sleep much last night, thanks to Nora's enthusiastic presence, and episode after episode of American Horror Story. They were both addictive.

"You son of a bitch."

Jack heard Nora's laughing voice, and looked up to see her standing on the top of the steps, arms folded in front of her, messy bed hair blowing in the cold wind. She was wearing a red winter jacket, and holding a coffee mug in one hand, beautiful as always.

His heart beat faster at the sight of her. He told it to quiet down. "What did I do now?" Jack asked with a raised eyebrow, taking a lazy drag.

Nora sat next to him and handed him the mug. "You're not sharing."

"I didn't know you smoked."

"Haven't since my collage days, but I would be a shitty friend if I didn't keep you company." She winked at him.

"I don't want to be a bad influence." Jack grinned.

Nora snorted. "Oh please, It's not like I can get lung cancer, and die."

"Guess you have a point." Jack handed her his cigarette, and took a sip of his warm drink. "Thanks for the tea."

She took a long drag. "I hope you like Twinings. That's all we had."

"I love it. How did you know I prefered it over coffee?" Jack asked, impressed.

Nora's lips pulled at the cigarette. Jack envied the damn thing.

"I notice things." She said with a sly smirk, and exhaled the smoke in his face.

Jack smiled, and took another sip of his tea. It was sweet too. Just the right amount of suger. "What else have you noticed?"

"I'm pretty sure you have a crush on Even peters."

Jack laughed. "Who doesn't?"

Nora laughed too. "Right."

"What else?"

"You snore."

"I do not." Jack feigned offence.

"Do to, It's kinda cute." Nora grinned.

"You drool." Jack shot back.

Nora gasped. "A filthy accusation."

"I have proof."

"So do I."

"I can't believe you took a video of me in my sleep." Jack shook his head, sipping his tea.

"As if you didn't take a picture of me."

"Ok guess that makes us even."

She held the cigarette in front of Jack's lips. He took a drag.

"You can't stand olives, specially if it's on your pizza." He took a calming drag.

Nora beamed. "True, true."

"You pretend you hate cuddling, but secretly love it."

"You got me."

"And you always manage to look better than me in the morning which is not fair."

Nora gave Jack a smug smirk. "I know. Poor you."

Jack chuckled. "This is the part were you comfort me by saying I'm wrong."

Her smirk widened. "Sorry. Can't lie."

Jack punched her shoulder. "Asshole."

She punched him back. "Fuck nugget."

"That's not even a word."

"It is."

"Since when?"

"Since always."

"God, you're weird." Jack looked at her brown eyes.

"you love it."

"I do. Nora?" Jack kept staring at her, not able too look away.

"Hmm?" She was staring back.

Jack could feel the heat of her body through her clothe, from where their knees, and arms were touching. "I really appriciate you, and our friendship. I wanted you to know that."

"Aw, are you trying to melt my stone heart?" Her eyes glowed with mischief.

"Is it working?" Jack said with a little smile and sipped his tea.

"Maybe." Hers was big, and radiant. "I appriciate it too. You mean a lot to me Jack." Nora said in a low voice, and looked away.

Her warm, and honest words filled his heart with happiness. "Same." Jack grabbed her hand.

They sat in silence, Jack drinking, and Nora smoking, enjoying each other's company.

Being there felt right.

It was quiet, and perfect, until Jack saw Ada walking towards them.

Their perfect morning was ruined.