Prelude to kisses

Chapter 10

Jackie was anxious and it wasn't until Monday that her anxiety skyrocketed and reached its peak. Instead of her usual turn past the bus stop, she went around the school and made her way to work. When she saw Ashton and his brother get in the car, she ducked behind a parked car and prayed neither of them saw her. When the car was out of sight, she quickly ran into the shop and found Gregory putting everything in order for her to start. Their flight to Tanzania was booked and they were scheduled to leave in an hour.

"Chichi probably won't be able to say her farewell. She's too excited and has been running around fixing me up and telling me I need to fix my expression, like someone going on an actual vacation. Now I don't know much about that, but I do know that I'm leaving you in charge of the shop for a month and you're just a kid. Should I cancel?"

Jackie laughed and took the keys from him, "Don't worry, I got it."

"I know you do, I asked Mason to check up on you and help you close the shop when he can".

"Great, go have fun."

"If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call him and I ordered most things in advance, only the bread truck and maybe milk will come regularly. You have the banking details to the account, and you can close the shop and make a deposit anytime you feel is necessary".

When he left, Jackie got to work, reading to pass the time and opposite she could see Ashton's younger brother coming back from school. He waved to her, and she waved back. She realized if she was going to avoid Ashton, she'd need to rearrange her sitting so she wasn't directly facing his house. After she had that fixed, she went back to reading and now and then threw a glance to make sure he wasn't making a round into the shop. She sighed heavily, putting her 'Fearless' series book on the counter. Why was she avoiding him anyway?

Well for starters, you're mad that he hadn't actually taken you out because he had feelings for you, a voice said in her head. It wasn't wrong but she hated that it was being brutally honest when she didn't want to admit she had walked inside the house disappointed and hadn't been able to tell Angie how the date went.

It's not like I like him, anyway, so why does it bother me whether or not he likes me. I've heard stories about him, and they are not pretty. I can do so much better without him in my life. She was deep in thought that she didn't hear the door to the shop open and close. Angie walked; ice cream in hand even though it was cooler than usual. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing. Aren't you cold?" She shivered and pulled her cardigan closer to her chest.

"I'm everything but. Want to grab lunch together? I got off early". She said, leaning against the counter.

It was so like Angie to take a different route from town just so she didn't go home to herself. Jackie only then realized it was well past noon. She closed her book, folding the corner of the page before setting it on the chair. She got up and took the keys to lock up, turning the note that said, "WILL BE BACK IN THIRTY MINUTES". There was a pizza hut on the other side of the road, they found a seat inside. She got her usual margherita flavor while Angie ordered beef flavor.

"I actually came to talk to you about something." Angie said as she moved her pizza around the plate.

Jackie realized it was something serious and set the alarm for twenty minutes on her phone before setting it down to listen to her friend. "I'm listening".

"Dylan wants us to get married".

"That's great?" She said unsurely.

"I'm only twenty-two and he's twenty-five. What do we know about marriage, what do I know about marriage?"