With All That I Am: Blood, Sweat, and Tears

You (Yu)

"Jake," Winter whispered.

Jake was just shy of six feet with light brown hair and eyes, and a charismatic australian accent. He was clean-cut and approachable in a black suit. He hadn't changed a bit. Seeing him sent a spear of something sharp and painful zinging through her. It was as if Karina's questions about romance conjured Jake out of thin air.

Memories of their first meeting tickled the back of her mind.

"Can I take you out to dinner?" he asked the first time he saw her singing at the cafe.

"Sorry, no." She told him and tried to steer their conversation back on a professional level. "I hope you enjoyed the show."

"Boyfriend?" Jake asked.

"No, I'm not looking for a relationship."

"Are you looking for a friend?"

She took in his awkward smile and kind appearance. It wasn't the first time she had been asked out, but it was the first time that line had been used and it hit her in the gut. She had been alone for so long and this guy exudes quiet strength and goodness. It was the lack of artifice in his clothes and smile. He wasn't playing a game.

Even though she wanted to say yes, she replied with, "maybe some other time."

Jake didn't give up. For the next two months, he came to all her performances on the nights that Winter had been scheduled to sing, and he would wait until she would be free. Despite his persistence, he always kept the conversation light and never failed to make her smile. He always ended with a request to go out and she finally accepted. Being with Jake had restored her faith in humanity until Mark arrived and shattered her world.

"Winter," Jake said and took a step forward.

He stopped when her guards blocked his way. Winter looked him over, still surprised. It was like seeing a ghost. She mourned the simple life she had in Seattle and now it was in her face, rousing memories that made her feel as if she was in free fall.

"Winter, are you alright?" Jake asked urgently.

"I'm..." She couldn't think. Her past life and lover were standing right there. She had been happy with him and now... Winter was suddenly very aware of the layer of cold sweat on her skin, her scarred chest and the gun in her purse. What happened to the girl working at the cafe who dated Jake and lived an ordinary life in Seattle?

"We need to go." Mark said abruptly and grasped her arm.

When Mark fetched her from Seattle, Jake had been away visiting his parents in Australia. That was a lucky coincidence for Jake since Mark had orders to kill him. Mark never met Jake, but he wasn't slow on the uptake. Mark knew exactly who he was.

"What are you doing here in Las Vegas? Who are these men?" Jake asked.

Her stomach rocked with regret and guilt. Jake was a great guy. She hadn't let herself think of him after she'd been forced to return to Karina. Jake was the nice guy women regretted for the rest of their lives. He was gentle, caring, and dependable. He coaxed her out of her fear and paranoia and into a healthy relationship that left her cautiously hopeful until Karina ruthlessly took over again.

"Why did you leave, Winter?" Jake asked.

The ache in his voice made her eyes sting with tears. After all this time he still cared.

Winter opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Mark propelled her forward. She had no choice but to try to keep up with him.

"Winter!" Jake kept his distance so her guards wouldn't get physical with him. "What's going on? Who are these people?"