𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐑 |

chapter thirteen

Vera

"Took you long enough. I've been honking the horn for ten minutes.," Jesse said once I entered the car.

"Uh-huh and led to me getting scolded by Katherine," I sighed, putting on my seatbelt and resting my head back.

"She-Devil returned, huh?"

I nodded, pulling my hair into a ponytail. This heat was going to be the death of me and dashing around the house to grab my things didn't help.

'Whoever she's with isn't doing their job correctly. Aren't you supposed to be in a good mood after you get laid?"

"Usually. But again, it's hard to please Katherine as we all know."

My head sat in my palm as I rested against the door. Jesse doesn't know how much Enzo and I have been hanging out. I don't want to say spending time together, 'cause there's a lingering thought in the back of mind telling me that Enzo still sees me as just a friend. Getting my hopes up too much is just going to leave me hurt again. Keeping my thoughts positive does enough, but there's always that feeling. Enzo's doing what he can to gain my trust and I can see that. But the fear.

It's going to eat me alive.

"Vee? You alright?" Jesse asked, bringing a hand to my shoulder.

My posture straightened and I looked over at him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Guess I zoned out."

Jesse looked at me for a while longer, almost studying me.

"What?"

"We'll talk when we get to our destination," he said with a nod, making a quick turn.

My brows furrowed but I shook it off, looking forward at the road in front of us. The mall came into view soon after, groups of people flooding in and out the double doors. At night, the sign would flicker with eye-catching lights, making sure you knew where it was. Right now it's bold and bright thanks to the sun, still noticeable from afar.

Jesse swerved through the parking lot, looking for a parking spot. I sat up straighter, glancing around then quickly pointing when one came into view. He pulled into it and earned an angry honk from the car behind us, flipping them off in response.

With a quiet chuckle, I stepped out of the car and stretched my arms towards the sky with a satisfied groan. Jesse's arm looped around my shoulders, making me stumble forward and my arms falling to the side. I glared his way and he simply grinned, leading me inside.

"That's not a pretty face," he teased, chuckling.

"Shut up. You kidnapped me to bully me all day?"

"A little bit, yes. But it feels like forever since we hung out. Gotta catch up."

He squeezed my shoulder gently and pulled the door open, pulling me inside. The immediate cold air I felt brought a spring of happiness throughout my body. I didn't expect it to be this hot today and I couldn't be happier that it was freezing cold inside.

When Jesse and I shop, there's never an actual store we know for a fact we want to go to. We'll walk around the entire mall about three times and leave with at least two bags from each one. And we never leave without a pretzel or a churro.

"Alright, so what's been up with you?" He brought up, looking through tee shirts.

'Nothing much. Loving my new job, taking care of myself more, going on dates with Enzo-"