Author's Notes:
“But this is a ROMANCE! A ROMANCE” I told my muse. She laughed. Hard.
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Rose got off the tube at Highgate and made her way through the posh neighbourhood taking in the expensive houses she passed with increasing discomfort. The lawns and gardens were quite exquisitely kept and the cars parked out front of more than a few of them cost more than her flat would. Wow. He lived in this neighbourhood.
It was a half mile walk to his house and one she sort of needed. The idea of meeting John’s family was a bit nerve wracking, especially now that she’d actually seen where they lived. He seemed to be a bit… was it clueless?... about her station in life, but what if his family wasn’t? What if they thought she was just some chav? What if they assumed she was just after his money or something?
Finally on his street, she looked for the house numbers and spotted what must be his place a couple doors up. It was one of the more modest places along the row, but still incredibly impressive with it’s large two car garage and huge front yard. She suddenly became even more aware how much she didn’t belong here. Surely the neighbours were looking out thinking the cleaning lady had arrived late.
The glass etched double front doors of the house were outlined in a deep blue painted wood, making them stand out from the rest of the red brick home. Approaching them, she took in the slightly neglected hedges and the handful of flyers littering the ground outside the door. Seemed John and Jack weren’t the most fastidious blokes. Her insides untwisted a bit. Maybe they weren’t as uptight as their neighbours.
Taking a cleansing breath, she smoothed her (hopefully) flattering cream coloured jumper and bravely knocked on the frame of the unique door. Footsteps approached from inside and a shadow of a man blocked the warm light filtering through the glass on the door to the right. It opened to reveal a handsome, dark haired, blue eyed bloke.
“Uh… hi. I’m Rose,” she said a bit nervously.
“Rose! Hi… I’m Jack,” he said, grinning widely offering his hand. Reaching out she tried to shake it, but he instead grasped her hand and pulled it to his lips. “Very pleased to meet you,” he assured her, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her captured fingers.
A surprising warmth spread through her with the gesture. No one had ever kissed her hand before. She could certainly see what John had been talking about when he’d mentioned that Jack was quite the ladies’ man.
From behind him, John emerged, unapologetically pushing his way through to dislodge her hand from Jack’s.
“Just saying ‘hi’, Doc,” he said brightly, his eyes not leaving Rose’s.
“Yeah… well, don’t,” John said only half-jokingly. Jack didn’t seem to take the directive personally at all and merely shot Rose a playful wink before turning to disappear back into the belly of the house.
“Hi, Rose,” John said affectionately before leaning in to plant a lingering kiss on her cheek.
Rose’s heart picked up it’s beat with his proximity. To say she fancied him was a massive understatement, she thought wryly. If she was honest, she’d have to admit she was actually completely at his mercy when he got anywhere close to her.
Finally able to access the speech centre of her brain she let out a throaty, “Hi,” in response.
“Can I take your coat?” he asked, holding his hand out for it.
YOU ARE READING
Running Out
FanfictionDr. John Smith is a brilliant scientist ahead of his time and a leader in his field. Sadly, being a genius isn’t going to save him from his fate. Time is running out. What he doesn’t know is that he is about to meet the one person who might have the...
