High Stakes Hideout

Chapter Four-Ivy

"Are you really sure this is necessary Jake? I mean, the guy barely saw me and it was dark. Do I really have to stay here?" I knew I was reaching whining level. I knew I should be grateful to Jake and Oliver for this. It had been thirteen years, I should be over this by now. I had dated other guys in those thirteen years so that I would be over this by now.  Yet, none of them held a candle to that man. How was I going to prevent him from seeing I was still hung up on him when he clearly didn't return those feelings?

"Let's wait until Oliver rejoins us. I don't want to have to repeat myself," Jake said from the stove. I just nodded and sank into a chair at the table. He had remembered my vegetarian days. What did that mean? I wasn't one anymore, but the thought that he remembered I was at one time and was considerate enough to make special accommodations for me did crazy things to my emotions.

Oliver entered the room, hair still wet from his shower. I wrinkled my nose as I noticed his aftershave. It smelled like the same kind he had used when we were dating. The kind I bought him every year for his birthday. I did my best to cover the grimace, but Oliver was as astute as always.

"What? What's that look for? I just showered. There is no way I still smell like a barn," Oliver protested, eyes widening at my grimace. Maybe not as astute as he used to be then. He'd noticed the reaction but had misinterpreted its cause. Well, he was out of practice with reading me, I supposed.

Instead of answering I just shook my head and waved him toward his seat. That wasn't a reason I wanted to give right now.  "I'm hungry, let's eat."

Oliver smiled at me, causing another heart flutter, as he helped Jake plate the food and carry it to the table. I was going to have to school my reactions around him or my heart was going to get me before the bad guy got a chance. And Jake thought I would be safe from danger here.

I looked at the plate Oliver sat in front of me with anticipation. Oliver had always been a great cook. I had tried to replicate some of his recipes after he had left, but nothing tasted the same as what he could make. Once upon a time he had talked about going to culinary school. That was long before he up and enlisted in the military, though. My stomach gave a rumble as I leaned forward to breathe in the mouthwatering aromas of the vegetables and spices. Oliver chuckled and I glared at him, only causing his smile to widen.

"Jake, care to say grace?" Oliver asked. I smiled to myself as I bowed my head. I was thankful that Oliver still had his faith. The aftermath of what had happened with his dad could cause someone to waver and I had prayed earnestly that this wouldn't happen with him. Our faith was one of my favorite things we had shared growing up together. I felt sparks shoot up my arm as Oliver's hand slid into mine. It's just because he's praying, a habit. I snuck a glance at him and blushed when I caught him looking back at me. I looked away and bowed my head, closing his eyes and breaking my view of him. He cleared his throat and began his prayer.

I pulled my hand from his as quickly as I could once he finished praying. Jake must have noticed because he raised his eyebrows at me in question. "Well, this looks good Oliver.  Thank you for being so nice," I say, trying to distract Jake from whatever he might be thinking about my reaction to Oliver.

Oliver chuckled at my use of the word again. "No problem. It's nice to have someone to cook for. Ally has been gone for a few days, so it's just been cooking for myself." I smiled politely and took a bite of the stir fry. I closed my eyes in appreciation of the flavor combination of the spices that he had used along with the varied vegetables. "Definitely not as rewarding cooking for myself."

I glanced up to find Oliver watching me again. I wiped my mouth with the napkin in my lap and looked over at Jake. Oliver was going to have to stop looking at me like that, like he cared about me. He had already established that wasn't the case and I wasn't sure what to make of his gaze now. "Jake, how about we discuss the details of why I have to stay here while we eat? You have to leave soon to catch your flight unless you are staying the night." I didn't want to open up that topic of conversation, but I needed a distraction. At this moment, any distraction would suffice.