Jade
The sizzle of the grill was a familiar comfort, a counterpoint to the nervous flutter in my chest. Another Friday night at "Zion's Eats"another endless stream of ravenous customers. And another shift of fake dating with James.He, the tall, tan, sarcastic brunette son of Zion Henderson,and I, the anxious redhead who could barely meet his gaze.
"Table six needs more water," -James drawled, his voice a low rumble as he leaned against the counter, arms crossed. His eyes, usually glinting with amusement at my expense ,were focused on the bustling dinning room.
"Right"-i answerd ,grabbing the water pitcher .
Pretending we were a couple was getting exhausting.The forced hand-holding ,the lingering glances ,the carefully cracked jokes ,it all felt like a ..performance .One we were both getting pretty good at.
The night wore on ,plates clattered ,orders flew and the air grew thick with the smell of garlic amd oregano.
Finally the last stragglers cleared out and the exhaustion hit me like a wave.
"Alright last call for cleaning"- James called out ,already wiping down a table.I started on the booths ,lost in my own thoughts.I longed for a quiet evening ,a book in hand and a warm cup of tea.
Three of the books i brought with me were stacked on the floor behind the counter,waiting for a bookshelf.
James walked over ,an unreadable expression on his face .
"Uhm can you .."-he drawled out
"Help me with something ?"-he asked ,scraching his head.
That's weird .He seems nervous .Which is impossible ,James Henderson never gets nervous or anxious ,it's a known fact .
I followed him to a back storage room ,my heart rate quicking .This was weird.
He gestured to a corner crammed with lumber and tools.
"What is this?"-i asked ,bewildered.
He shrugged ,leaning against a wall"Just something i've been working on ".He paused ,then added "For you"
My breath hitched ."For me ?"
He nodded ,a rare flash of geniune warmth in his eyes .
"Yeah. I know you've been complaining about your books ,which has been a pain in the ass by the way "-i roll my eyes.
He gestured to the wood."Thought you might like a bookshelf"
He had been using his shift savings ,he admitted ,a slight flush creeping up on his face.
Tears pricked the corner of my eyes .After all the fake smiles and manufactured affection ,this felt real.
This was James .The sarcastic boy with a hidden kindness who noticed the little things.
"James "-i whispered ,my voice thick with emotion.
"Don't get mushy with me Springs ,it's not like i *enjoyed* spending money "
I smile ,a geniune ,heartfelt smile"Thank you "-i said ,my voice barely audible.
"This is amazing!"
He stares at me for a second and just as he's about to say something ,the door bell rings and Jame's dad's face comes into view.He looked furious.
He stops in his tracks when he spots the wood and supplies on the floor.He bends down and picks up the manual.
"This?"-he has a firm grip on the paper
"This is what you spend your saving on ?"-his eyes flash with anger.
James sighed ,his sarcastic mask slipping back in place.He shrugged and pointed at me.My stomach flipped .
"It was for Jade dad ,she needed a bookshelf her books were all spwarled out on the floor"
His dad's eyes narrowed ,zeroing on me .I felt the familiar heat rise in my cheeks ,my hands twisting on my apron.
"A bookshelf ?"
"When the resturant need plenty new adjustmets?"-he threw his hands up in exapersation
"You're supposed to be learning the business not buying frivolous things!"
James's jaw tightened .He took a step forward ,his tan skin darkening with anger .I braced myself for an argument.James mentioned he fought with his dad a lot .I didn't think it was this bad.
I prepared for the worst ,ready to dissapear intp the floorboards.
But then James suprised me .He looked at me ,his gaze softening ,a flicker of something i couldn't ...quite decipher crossing his face .He grabbed my hand and gave it a little squezze before saying"Jade is my girlfriend dad"
"She means a lot to me and i wanted to do something nice for her"
He scoffs"Is this that bad?"
His dad sputterd ,but the fight in him seemed to drain out of him .He grumbled something under his breath,grabbed a beer and walked into the kitchen.
James released a deep breath ,his eyes closing .
He still had a strong grip on my hand.
The boy i was looking at right now wasn't the usual happy ,sarcastic and chereful James.He was the sad broken and unsure of himself boy i only saw once .The day of his sisters funeral.He had the same look of dispair on his face and he had gripped my hand just like this.
"Sorry you had to witness that Jade ,umm i'll gather these again and we can work on building this tomoroww night "-he sniffled and ran a hand through his hair.
Without thinking ,i wrapped my arms around his neck.I relaxed my head on his shoulder as my hands wrapped tightly around his waist.
I herad him suck in a breath before he wraps himself around me ,breathing into my neck.His tense body relaxes into my touch.
His hand holds my head as he strokes my hair .
"Damn all of this and i didn't even tell you i have a bookshelf to build for your room too"-he chuckles after we released from the hug.
"What ?"-i gape at him .I can't belive this.
"Yep.Some little birdie told me Xander got you a bookshelf for your birthday so then i thought "-he put his finger on his chin ,pretending to think
"His gift can not be better than your boyfriend's gift "-he says ,a smirk creeping up on his face.
"You're insane !"-i push his shoulder .
"A second ago you were saying i was amazing"-he looks at me ,one of his eyebrow crooked up.
"I said the bookshelf was amazing"-i scoff
"That's not what i heard "-he winks.I smile .Im starting to not hate his little winks .And his smirk.And the way his dimples show when he smiles .But not the smile he gives me in public .No ,not that one .I like the one he gives me when i try to make a joke but it turns out terrible and he tries to hold his laughter in ,the smile he gives me when he first heard me squeal at a cute part in the book i was reading .I fully expected him to make fun of me that day but he just smiled at me and asked me what happened.The smile that crinkles his eyes and shows a glint of light in his eyes .I like that smile .Scratch that .I love that smile.
YOU ARE READING
Setting Ourselves Up
Romance"Fuck you, Springs" - he spats "In your dreams, Henderson" "How'd you know?" - he replies, with a smirk on his face. Jade Springs only had one goal in her life and that was to make it till 20. See,Jade wasn't really a very happy person. She was qu...
