Split Love

CHAPTER 4

SATURDAY, April 21, 2018

He didn't look at Jasmine, his eyes remained on the square, where she had been standing earlier. Noticing the man's disinterest, she picked up the menu that was on the table and began to read it, despite knowing it by heart.

- You broke his heart. - His voice was husky and without an ounce of emotion.

- No. He broke his own heart.

- He hates you.

- He didn't... - Jasmine's blue eyes moved from the menu to the main square ahead of her. And there was Jordan, standing where she'd left him two minutes ago. His eyes looked confused.

Jamie remembered his question, if there was anything new. She hadn't lied, but he sure as hell didn't believe her.

- He hates you.

- For the record, I believe he hates you at this point too.

- Who cares? - He shrugged.

Jasmine examined him over the top of the menu. The carefree way he sipped his coffee, and the way his dark eyes roamed over the people outside, it was like there was no tomorrow. His face was like a perfect Michelangelo sculpture.

- Is there something you care about? - The words slipped out of her lips. The curiosity this man brought out in Jamie was like fire spreading through a forest. She could feel her skin itch with curiosity, with the thousands of questions she wanted to ask him.

The way he acted, Jamie had never met anyone like that.

The question took the man by surprise. Not that he expressed anything in his face or his eyes. But the question made him slowly turn to the girl.

She had his attention now.

Their eyes connected. As in a silent battle, they couldn't let go. For over a minute they held on to each other. Until his gray eyes began to roam over Jasmine's delicate face, she could see it moving through her hair, her nose, and chin.

She took the time to do the same. It was as if his eyes were already familiar; like two empty gray pools, they matched his dark brown hair perfectly. She got to see the perfect line on the right side, while everything else was perfectly gelled back. His jaw looked hand carved.

His neck was drawn with dark lines of a tattoo. Jasmine wandered over the collar of his black leather jacket, the sleeve that covered his right arm, reaching for his hand. Letters also marked his fingers. Jamie craned her neck trying to read what was written but was interrupted by him clearing his throat.

He had a raised eyebrow.

- I'm waiting for your answer.

- I did not know that I was obliged to answer.

- You're not, but it would be pleasant to be nice to the locals in the city you're staying in.

- Forced.

- What?

- I'm not here because I want to.

- I know, you must be hating this.

- I am.

-Nice, you don't really fit in our city.

- Excellent.

- Perfect.

The man's few words irritated Jasmine more than she could pretend not to. Picking up the menu again, she covered her face trying to show she didn't care.

She ran her eyes over the list of dishes served for lunch, nothing caught her eye despite her stomach rumbling with hunger. Distracted, and seeing the blurry letters, she noticed that she could see him in the background.

Trying to be inconspicuous, she raised her eyes as little as possible, but it was enough to see that the right corner of his lip was curled up.

Great, she thought, pissing her off makes him happy. Perhaps he was one of those people who was happy to see the unhappiness of other people.

- Good morning, Jamie. I'm sorry I can't pick up your order sooner, we're full. - Kate, one of the cafeteria waitresses, appeared by surprise, scaring Jasmine. It was like being caught doing something wrong.

- Oh. Hello Kate. Don't worry, I know how busy the city gets at festivals. But if you still have one of those chocolate croissants that I love.

- And a cranberry iced tea?

- Please.

- More coffee for you? - Kate asked the stranger. Jamie's eyes darted from one to the other waiting for the man's response, who just nodded in agreement. At the end, Jamie's blue eyes rested on Kate who seemed to question her with a steady gaze.

Perhaps the interaction between the two makes it seem like they know each other somehow. That's what Jordan thought, right?

- Well, Jamie... - Her name was said slowly by him, almost as if he was tasting it. Jasmine felt her blood freezing for a second. His voice was gruff and dry, it set danger alarms ringing in her brain. - What do you want?

- I just wanna thank you for yesterday.

- Why?

- You saved my life.

Despite the man's gruff voice, Jasmine kept her tone as smooth as usual. She was grateful for what he'd done.

Strangely, the man didn't seem to like what she said. As soon as Jamie explained why she was grateful, his face darkened. His brows drew together, he lowered his head and seemed intent on the coffee mug in his hand. Jamie could see him moving his lips from side to side as if something bothered him.

Jamie's lips parted as she thought of something to say, but Kate stopped her by placing a small plate of hot chocolate croissant and a glass of iced tea in front of her, and filling the man's coffee mug.

Jamie glanced quickly at Kate with a small smile of thanks.

- I already regret having saved you from that car.

- Why? - The words jumped out of her mouth before she could stop.

Once again he looked into her blue eyes. If it was possible to see the thousands of questions she had, she didn't know, but she didn't hide the doubt in her face.

- Did your mother ever tell you not to talk to strangers?

- If you tell me your name, you won't be a stranger anymore.

- If you're waiting for me to tell you...

- Should I sit and wait?

- I'm glad you know.

The man took a sip of his coffee and stood up. Jamie just watched as he took a twenty-dollar bill out of his wallet and placed it on the table. The side of his hand brushed against her delicate fingers.

Jamie focused on his tattooed hand next to hers and didn't realize he'd lowered it to the height of her head.

- It was nice knowing you. Jamie. - He whispered.