Dare to dream [Book 1]

Chapter 4 - Baby steps

Jarrod has become even more protective of me since Rhys died which is very sweet, however at times it can be quite annoying.  I know he loves me like a sister as we have adopted each other like siblings from the beginning of our friendship and I know he has my best interests at heart.  But it doesn't stop outsiders from making wrong assumptions as alot of guys get jealous of him and how close we are.  I know he means well, but if I ever happend to meet someone special again, I wonder if they'd run a mile as he'd scare them away.

I was recently setup on a blind date by Alicia (which I think was the dumbest idea ever!) with her friend Jon.  

"come on he's really nice, just give him a chance" she piped.

 "if you say so" I replied with an obvious and unenthusiastic tone in my voice.

 "I know he loves redheads" she added

I simply rolled my eyes whilst biting my tongue and silently screaming on the inside...urgh!

I love Alicia to bits, but she frustrates me at times.  I know I'm stubborn but there are some things I won't be made to do and this is one of those things I prefer to do on my own terms, thank you very much.

Alicia offered to help give me a makeover the day before and I agreed that a change of hair colour wouldn't hurt.  We decided on a really pretty deep shade of burgundy which I'll admit looked pretty amazing once it was done as the colour just made my golden brown eyes pop against my complexion.  My hair is quite straight but its very long and currently sits about halfway down my back.  It took 3 almost 4 packets of dye just to colour it...sheesh.  

I hug her and say "thank you, it looks amazing"

"you're welcome honey" she purrs.

I look in the mirror and I really do look different and I'm pleasantly surprised as the colour really does suit me. 

Jon was a very sweet guy but there was no chemistry and I'm pretty sure it didn't help with Jarrod being there as he can be intimidating at the best of times.  I think he felt dwarfed by him Jarrod is quite tall at  6ft 3", has dark caramel skin, an athletic physique, a goatee to match his wild black curly hair that he wears quite short.  He also has the most amazing tattoo's on his arms that he proudly shows off and a ring in the left side of his lip which I think suits him to a T.  

Jarrod is a little rough around the edges, but deep down I know he's a big softy and I'm lucky as it's a side of him that not many people get to see.   Most guys take one look and won't mess with him either and he certainly towers over me, mind you it wouldn't be hard as I'm only 5ft 5".

"ha ha, you've got ducks disease, cuz your bum is so close to the ground" Jarrod would tease. 

"well atleast I don't look like a sashquatch" I'd reply, poking my tongue out at him.

Jarrod has quite a hairy chest and I would always tease him about it, just like he would tease me about my height.  

"Good things come in small packages" I would say and it would always end in a big tickle fight between us.

Every time we would both start laughing at each other and then collapse in a heap on the floor! 

The day after my blind date with Jon, i came to the realisation why Alicia insisted on giving me a recent makeover.  I felt she had planned this all along and I was quite annoyed at her.  I didn't need to be setup and I would prefer to do things on my own terms, I grumbled.  

"baby steps, my girl" she said

This was only the beginning...