Change Your Mind

26

James

"You must be the infamous James" A man said as he opened the front door, I smiled in his direction noticing the familiarities that Riley has with him
"It's lovely to meet you sir" I said greeting Riley's Dad as he stepped aside allowing me to come inside 
"It's Jerry" He said shaking my hand, I offered him another smile making him chuckle

"Riley, you're date is here" He called up the stairs before turning round to face me
"You don't need to look like I'm going to murder you" He said and I looked at him slightly confused
"Don't get me wrong, I know everything you did to my little Jellybean" He said making my gulp
"But I trust her judgement more then I trust me own" He said making me nod

"I never meant anything that happe-" I started but he shook his head
"You don't owe me anything James, certainly not an explanation, you were a stupid teenaged boy. We've both been there" He said
"What I care about now if Riley being happy, and if being with you makes her as happy as I've seen her the last month or so. Then I couldn't care what you did in the past" he smiled 

Before I could respond again with a thankyou or another apology we were both interrupted by the sound of Riley making her way downstairs
And god she looked beautiful

"Now ground rules, stick to your curfew" Her dad said pointing to her making her roll her eyes
"No funny business" Jerry said pointing to me making me quick to nod
"I don't have a curfew and you are one to talk about funny business, may I remind you about Emily?" Riley said raising her brow as she went over to kiss her dads cheek

Riley and her dad have this new dynamic I am yet to see from Riley, she so relaxed, comfortable and confident around her dad
It's sort of like a breath of fresh air 

--

We got to the River bank and I couldn't help but smile. There was no way, Riley was ready for what she was about to see
We got to our little spot only for it to be covered in fair lights
Curtesy of Piper 
A blanket laid out with a picnic basket

"You did all of this?" Riley asked turning to look at me, I smiled nodding
"Yeah, yeah I did" I smiled as we both took a seat on the blanket
"James this is all incredible" Riley gushed looking around
It had taken me almost 4 hours to get it perfect and even then there was so much more I wanted to include

The date was going great, in fact we'd been sat here talking and laughing more and more as every minute passed, I couldn't help but learn so much more about Riley 
She was a completely new chapter tonight

"So tell me why I've never learnt this before?" I said laughing over the story behind her Dad's nickname for her
"How on earth would that have come up in conversation? Hi my names Riley oh I have had a jelly bean stuck up my nose before? Come onnnn" She groaned making me burst out laughing again

"Hey, I bet you have an embarrassing story too" She said nudging me
"nope, I think you'll find I don't" I smirked 
"I'll ask Piper next time I see her" Riley said chuckling
"How about you don't but you say you did?" I offered making Riley roll her eyes 

"Yeah no" She said making me laugh again 
"This was amazing James" Riley said putting the last empty dish into the basket
"it's not over yet" I smiled 
Riley looked at me confused but as I rose to my feet I took her hands in mine pulling her up

We began a short walk until we came to a small pier a couple minutes from where we were sat. I had only found it this evening when I was attempting to hide something 
The River turned into a lake later on which is where this small pier was located

"So it's a lake? not a River?" Riley laughed as we walked down the Pier hand in hand, I rolled my eyes at her spinning her around until my arms were on her waist whilst her tangled together behind my neck
"look at you being all romantic" she chuckled making me a smile 

But my smile was no match for hers right now

"Only for you" I whispered making her smile again as a small blush peaked through her cheeks, barely visible with the night lighting 
"I really am sorry for everything I've put you through" I said resting my forehead against hers

Riley looked up at me, her big brown eyes glistening with the shift in the water 
"Stop" She whispered stroking the back of my neck 
"You aren't the same James you were back then" She continued, her eyes still searching while mine were getting lost in hers
"You're a new and improved model" She said with a small chuckle

"How on earth did I get a second chance" I whispered making her smile again
"I'm a forgiving person, what can I say" she teased making me roll my eyes playfully

"And you're all mine" I winked making Riley's smile soon shift into a smirk
"Hey I agreed to a date not a relationship" She said detaching her arms from me attempting to walk away 

I scoffed grabbing her wrists pulling her straight back
Without a second thought, I gently leant down pressing our lips together making Riley giggle

"I'll take that as a yes" I said making her roll her eyes as she pulled me back in for another kiss