Jewel's POV
The next morning, I wake to an empty bed. Eric is gone. The sheets are pulled tightly around my body. This makes me smile at the thought of Eric tucking me in before he left to go...wherever. A rush of anxiety suddenly hits me.
Where did he go?
Back to Natalie?
Did last night even happen?
A loud knock on my door brings me out of my thoughts. I stand from the warmth of the sheets and walk slowly to the door. It can't be Eric. He wouldn't knock. He would just walk right in. I'm sure he has a key by now.
Jake's brown eyes meet mine once I open the door and a boyish excitement dances along his features.
"Are you decent?" He asks, cocking an amused eyebrow.
I let out a small giggle and open the door wider for him. He steps through and looks around, skeptically.
"Is someone else here?"
I come around him so that I am now facing him. My eyes scan him momentarily before answering. Jake can be trusted. He's proven that much.
"Eric was here." I mumble out.
His eyes widen while letting out a small chuckle. "I figured as much. Will he, uhh be rejoining us any time soon or is it safe for me to chill here a little while longer?"
Rolling my eyes, I take a seat by the bar of my kitchen. Jake follows suit, taking the seat next to mine.
"I'm pretty sure Eric is gone for the day."
Jake lets out a sigh of relief. "Well that's good. I would hate for him to see me in here with you...alone." He puts more emphasis on the last word while wiggling his eyebrows in a playful manner. I shove his arm lightly.
"So what are you doing here?" I finally ask after minutes of silence.
He shrugs. "Came to see you. With everything that's happened, thought I might check up on you and see if you're okay."
I smile at him, enjoying the fact that he's nice enough to worry about me.
He stands from his chair and moves around to the other side of the bar and grabs a drink from the refrigerator. While taking a sip, he points a finger at me.
"I also wanted to let you know that Ryan is back and wants to see you. Something about coming back and working for him."
What?
I stare at Jake in shock, trying to process what he just said. I thought Ryan said he didn't want to work with me any more? Did he change his mind? Did he hear about his sister coming back to Dauntless for a little visit? What possibly could have brought this on?
