Stay ~ Applewood Series #1

08| jesse

The feeling of Abby in my arms is indescribable. Her head is settled onto my shoulder as I try to diverge her attention from the heavy pause to a lighter conversation.

"So how long have you worked at Chickadee's?" I ask, remembering the first time I saw her.

Her head lifts off of my shoulder to look up at me. "A while, pretty much four years now. I got the job as soon as I turned sixteen and I've had no reason to leave. What about you? What was your first job?"

My hand instinctively goes to scratch the back of my neck when I go to answer the question. I wish I could give an reply like her's, a normal job under a more typical employer, but that isn't the reality. That wasn't my world.

"My first job? I guess technically it was working for my dad at his company under him. Kind of like his own personal intern of sorts. But other than that, working for Eddie is the first job I've gotten on my own. I um, overheard him talking to someone about having trouble expanding his business and I offered some assistance." I shrug to make the words feel less like a downer. Why is it that every conversation takes a turn towards things we would rather forget?

Clearing my throat, I go for another one. "If you could have one superpower, what would it be?" This time, she giggles and damn if it isn't the sweetest sound I've ever heard.

"Are we playing a twenty questions kind of game?" she teases to which I shrug.

"Easiest way to get to know you," I point out.

"Can't argue with that," she agrees then scrunches her mouth to the side to show she is thinking about her answer. "I think I would want to know the future."

"Why?"

"I like knowing what is going to happen. It would take the guessing out of life, I would know if I'm on the right path, what to expect and who will be there in the end." Staring at her I nod, her reasons making perfect sense.

"Where is your favorite place to be?" she asks.

"Would it be cheesy to say with you in my arms?" I joke, waggling my eyebrows at her. She laughs again, this time throwing her head back a little, exposing the slim column of her neck. Like the rest of her, it is flawless. At least in my eyes.

"A little. But really, where is the best place you've visited?" I think back in my memories, picking through the various vacations my family has taken over the years. Some for work and some for fun, though there are more of the former than the latter.

"You know, Miami has a special place in my heart." Her eyebrows raise as her mouth forms an 'o' in surprise.

"What's the reason?" When she asks her body straightens up to bring her face closer to mine. My breath hitches, even though I know she only moved to hear me better.

"It was the first trip I took without my family, the first thing I did for myself. I went on a winter trip with some of my frat brothers my first year of college and we had the time of our lives." I laugh, thinking back on the memories running through my mind. Miami for sure wasn't the most beautiful or exotic place I've ever been before, but it is the most memorable. One of my greatest college experiences.

"I could be irresponsible for the first time in my life. Sure, I was in a fraternity, but that was mostly for looks. I never really partook in a lot of the partying because again, my family's image. But in Miami we went crazy, had the time of our lives, I felt free."

"That sounds wonderful," she sighs, a dreamy look taking over her face. The expression makes me want to kiss her face, so I do. Leaning down I rest my lips on her forehead for a few seconds before pulling back. Giving her face a once over I notice her cheeks have taken on a dark pink color.