Breakthrough

Meet Me In The Middle

When I woke up the next morning I had one of the worst headaches of my life. I don't remember being this hungover since my cousin Kelli's wedding. That was also the night I almost banged the bartender in the elevator and then it occurred to me that there were probably security cameras and some creepy old man was watching me take off my clothes. But that was beside the point. I still had a headache and needed to shower before I could do anything else. As I got up out of my bed I heard my phone chime on my nightstand. I saw that I had a text from an unknown number that read "Good morning. Can I come by about 10 to pick you up? Know this great place for breakfast we could go to." Shit. I forgot I left my car last night and it's already 9:15. I grab my phone and shoot him a quick text that says "10:15 ok? Just woke up." After hitting send and throwing my phone on my bed I turned on the shower and went to my closet to see what I was going to wear. It was a little cool outside and I felt like shit. So jeans and my go to monogrammed long sleeved shirt it was. By the time I got out of the shower threw my hair up in a pony tail, brush teeth, try and cover up my dark circles, and slip on my sunglasses it was already 10:01. After I threw my pajamas in the hamper I began to hear my phone ring. It was my mother.
"Hello?"
"Sophie dear, are you alright? We missed you last night."
"Yeah mom, I'm fine I just wasn't feeling very well that's all" I said and at that exact moment the doorbell rang.
"Is that the doorbell? Who is coming over? You should be resting."
"It's probably um just the neighbors" I lie.
"The neighbors? Sophie what on earth are the neighbors doing over?"
"I don't know mom" I say to her as I go downstairs and look out the window. Shit. He's early. Twelve minutes to early.
"Listen mom, I've gotta go. I'll call you later though ok. Maybe we could do lunch tomorrow? We can go to Nobu your favorite" I say as I hang up on her and unlock the door. When I opened it I felt my palms get a little clammy. He was wearing a pair of navy joggers with a white tshirt and a casual Nike Air Pegasus'. He was simple and clean and I liked it. I guess I had been standing there staring for quite some time since his booming voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Sophie. Sophie? Are you ok?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm sorry. Come in? I just need to grab a jacket and my purse" I say as I open the door a little while letting him in. As he walked past me I took in his scent. He smelled of mint and sandalwood. He must've just showered looking at his damp hair and the slight reddened in his eyes.
"I just need to run upstairs but please make yourself comfortable" I say to him as I run up the stairs and go into my room. After gathering my things I went back downstairs to find Jackson standing in front of a wall of photos in my living room.
"You ready to go?" I ask.
"Yeah, these are some awesome pictures. Did you take these?"
"I did. Most of those were taken just right out there. That's one nice thing about living so close to the beach. You have a great sunset every night."
"Yeah, that is pretty great. Maybe you can take me out there one day."
"Maybe" I say as I walk to the door, Jackson quickly following me.
"So are you going to wear those sunglasses all day?" He asks me getting into his car.
"Well, considering that I have a major headache and may or may not feel like projectile vomiting that would probably be a yes" I snap at him.
"Alrighty. Well if you need to vomit while we're in the car please feel free to let me know" he says while laughing to myself.
"Absolutely. So where exactly is this place were going? Or are we gonna get my car first?"
"I figured we go get some food then head over to get your car. Is that ok?l"
"Yeah that sounds good" I say smiling up at him. In the car we talked about anything and everything in between. Family. His mother was a teacher, while mine was a crazy ass Prada fanatic. We also talked about traveling. He told me he's always wanted to go to Rome and Fiji. We had been driving for about forty five minutes when we finally arrived at this little place just outside Santa Monica called The Broken Egg. When we get inside we are seated at a small booth in the corner. The place was pretty dead except for a handful of women sitting up forward the front who looked like they were having a book club. A small woman approached out table after we had been seated to hand us menus and ask us what we wanted to drink. I knew the woman was more than likely wondering why I still had in my sunglasses but they were blocking the direct sunlight which made my headache a little bearable.
"I think I'll have a coffee. Black." I say as she scribbles it down on her pad.
"I'll just have a water today" Jackson says as the woman gives him a familiar smile.
"So..." I say as I glance over the menu.
"You come all the way here for some eggs and bacon? Or is it the hot staff?" I ask him jokingly.
"Ahahah, you're cute. Actually it's neither. I like to get out of typical LA, the drive is nice, the food is pretty good, and the staff. They are nice to me."
"Ah, I see. I see." We soon order our food and chat among plates of pancakes, eggs Benedict, and fruit. I have to say Jackson is pretty funny and he isn't bad to look at. Not one bit. After we finish eating we head back to the Bungalow to get my car. When we arrive Jackson gets out of his seat and opens my door, like always.
"Thank you. And thanks for breakfast. It was nice not having to near six other people's conversations you know?"
"Oh trust me I know. But, you're welcome it was nice. Your nice too" he said smiling.
"You aren't too bad yourself you know" I say shooting him a wink. I then feel him getting closer to me. His cheek is close to me and I can begin to see just how many freckles he has as they make a path across both cheeks and the bridge of his nose. I feel his smell slowly seep into my clothing as he turns his lips toward my left cheek. He plants a light kiss that makes my fingers tingle and my face grow warm.
"I'll talk to you soon ok? Text me when you get home" he tells me as my heart feels like it's fallen into the pit of my stomach. He just kissed me. I quickly dig out my keys in my purse and jump into my car. As his car pulls away I cannot help but stare until he makes a right at the light and I can no longer see him. He just kissed me. Me. I continue to just sit in my car and think. About how my fluttering heart made my pounding headache nearly fade.