TRIPPED ON YOU

CHAPTER 30: TRIPPED ON PETALS

Thernicy's POV

"What's do you think you're doing?" Norah's asks me again as i eat one of the appetisers being waited around the venue.

"What? What do I look like am doing?" I try to act clueless and send an accusing eye back at her.

"DON'T you dare use that bull on me. Why are you throwing yourself on the poor doctor? You know he's -"

"And you must be the famous Cosmo-lifetime author of "Twenty times the One" article about engagement rings and bridal gowns?", Lloyd walks in from the crowd to our table carrying two platters of appetizers, wait, is that sea food?

Ewww.

"Dr. Benson, I presume we've already met a couple of times or do we need another introduction?" Norah states clearly unsatisfied with his compliment after we both stood up to meet his crotched frame.
He immediately st the platteraside before proceeding.

"Now that I've heard all your accomplishments its more of a personal introduction than a professional meet, don't you agree?" He said extending his arm for a shake of hers and she obliged.

Miracles, wow.

"Well I suppose you got me there. How's your 'Fiancé, what's her name again, oh yes Maya? Maya Mandriguez?" She spits clearly uninterested in having any conversation with him.

"Oh no. We're Married now, actually had introduced her to miss Thernicy here, she's somewhere around, made me bring all these for her. We're actually expecting our first child. If you'll excuse me again I need to go and check on her seeing she's probably having some issues with one thing or another." He begged and walked away just as quickly as the statement was complete.

"Sure thing. Just make sure to let me know when you need anything." I called after him to get a reaction out of Norah.

And her eyes did the trick.
Making her spit out the champagne she just sipped a second ago.

"Should I call a doctor for you sweetheart? You look a little pale." I teased.

Stealing a glance at the person whose attention I was really seeking.

Dumb fudge! He stood there with Sage and still made no efforts to stop staring.

"Just go talk to him already or do you plan on acting like you're not retiring to the same apartment!" She pointed. Clearly getting frustrated with my futile attempts.

"You don't understand. It's been so long since I came back but it's like we're stalling and am starting to get frustrated." I confessed.

"I mean is it that hard to just ask me out on a date or get me roses or even some candy and say 'hey, wanna hang out?' He's the only one I talk to, All day, every day." I complained.

"Is there something else you want instead?
And not Just a date, some candy and roses? Nothing more?" She asked incredulously.

"Of course not, I want more!" I resolved,"you know what? I think I'll just head back home. Tell Lucy I'm feeling funny. I'll call her later." I said turning on my heels about to head towards the exit when an idea formed in my head again.

The night is still quite young.

"Heading somewhere?" Benson asks looking towards Norah instead. Placing a hand on my shoulder blade guiding me back to the table.

"Oh no!" I flustered.
"You need something, what is it?" He went on ignoring what I just said, "My fiance just got a call so she won't be back inside for a while and I can't seem to shake off the women from table 11.

I always wondered how long it'd take to get used to his hands on my skin.

"Well I  can definitely help with that. Follow me." I instruct moving over to the married men's table right opposite the singles. Yes, I knew this because I helped Lucy plan the sitting arrangements.

Why would I? Oh yes, to make sure the guys and the girls have absolutely no opportunity to escape each other. Which was the worst idea now, com3e to think of it.

I thought of Jaden and how I liked his hands, His breath, the light echo of his heartbeat on the tips of his fingers was enough music to keep me there all night.
Fudge and cranberry!
I bet Jaden's losing his mind right now.

"Care for another T special?" Asked Richard, the waiter.
"Oh I most definitely appreciate your impeccable timing" I said taking two little cups from the tray.
I waved him away with my freshly manicured fingers on display. Taking a huge gulp of the cool water in a tequila shots cup that I had requested for earlier since I can't exactly drink alcohol yet.
'Snap out of it!' I kept telling myself but it was futile, I knew that's not what I wanted.
I don't want the man am standing next to. I want someone I couldn't bring myself to chase.

"Sure, I will have to be reimbursed a pretty great deal if that's the case. Impressive how well you performed at the auction last fall isnt it?" Benson went on with William about a topic i didnt quite follow.
Moving his hand a bit lower to my waist as the upper side of my back felt a bit moist.
I Wonder what Margaret will think of this.

"Have I ever failed to?" He spoke in his  nonchalant tone early communicating something else back to Benson. That I obviously don't have any clue about.
As a smile tagged at ach of our lips.

★★★

JADEN'S POV

"She doesn't look that bad, you know what? Let's see how it goes for a while longer" Sage spoke into my ear not waiting for a response to prove exactly how attentive I was as my still form spoke enough volume for anyone to tell I wasn't planning on moving at all.

"Been counting on that for a while now." I finally responded in a much less controlled tone contradicting my unmoving form.
I dare say I have more physical restraints than emotional ones.

"Yah right! Let's bet. A quad on both of yours against my 'you'll be going to her first!" Terry joined in, startling Sage paired with an unamused expression on me to match our shared frustration.

"And what makes you say that" Sage probes as we all watch Thernicy down her third shot while clinging on to the much sterner man next to her, conversing  ceremoniously with the other guests from the other end of the banquet.

A slight movement of Benson's hand from her shoulder to her waist did the trick, as I shot forward without warning. Leaving Terry in a fit of laughter as he holds out his hand towards Sage waiting to get his cash in the corner of my eye.

I had had quite enough.
I kept trying to get her to come out and just tell me exactly what I want to hear.  But there she goes giving everyone else her time again.

What the hell Thernicy. I find myself thinking while I march to where they are standing.

"Let her go!" I hear myself say a angrily.

"Let's go." I find myself begging instead at her side. Looking away hoping to avoid the obviously questioning gaze she'd shoot towards me.
"Excuse me." I hear her say as she steps towards me away from the other guy. Pulling me to the bar and leaning over to call for another round of whatever she had Ben previously taking.

"Stop with that. Let's go home." I finally look at her and immediately regretting it as I'm met with a smile as bright as midday.

"And why's that? You're not having fun anymore?" She grins.
"Why are you smiling like that?" I ask looking away after feeling too uncomfortable.
I was losing it and she's smiling at me. I thought she'd be upset. Or atleast be shooting daggers at me with piercing eyes.

But there she was with the widest grin I'd ever seen that evening, without any restraint whatsoever.
She was so casually happy, I could kiss her.
"What?" She asked, grinning wider, as if it could get any wider at this point.

"You look really beautiful when youre happy. I love you. It... shit, I love It. Sorry" I stutter while she breaks into a fit of soft chuckles, I couldnt think straight.
So I did what I usually would when I can't decide.

Delightfully, surely one day we'll have it all and more