Half Hearted

Chapter Eighteen

| Ash |

He told himself over and over again. He was only playing a game. This was only for publicity.

But somehow he couldn't ignore the feelings he had when he was around her.

The last time he felt like this was with...

No. It was impossible. Cheryl had been his childhood friend. Teresa was just some girl who'd offered him help. He hadn't even known her for a month.

I'm just getting used to being alone again, he told himself.

Peter came out of the washroom, already dressed in jeans and a Star Wars shirt. "Get up, we're gonna get breakfast and then meet with Maudie. She got you an interview with Jamie Richardson. You see? I told you people would be curious about a new girl. This is great publicity man."

"Why'd it have to be her?" Ash grunted, forcing himself to sit up on the bed. "Out of all the girls you could've chosen."

Peter smiled. "This is dog's bullocks. You're at the top of your game!"

"Says who?"

"Says the charts," Peter pulled out the data on his phone. "You topped Francis just last night."

"So... the break was a good idea?" Ash eased in, trying to fish for a compliment.

"Alright, you knob, it was somewhat a good idea. But you know what else was a good idea? Having that new girlfriend of yours. Now get up, we want you to eat breakfast before you get to the interview."

So they did just that. And with each fleeting moment, Ash found himself staring at the clock more and more.

He had already memorized her schedule. She had her lecture from 9-11, she grabbed lunch on her own, and since she just quit her job yesterday, she would be completely free afterwards.

Did she call Peter to tell her she would be coming in today? He was about to try and make an effort to subtly ask, when Peter's phone rang, and Ash immediately guessed who it was.

"No, we just finished the interview," he spoke into the phone. "If that makes you more comfortable. Alright, will do."

Peter hung up, noticing Ash's curious gaze. "What will make her more comfortable?"

"Making a schedule for her," he answered. "She feels bad that she can come in any time she wants, and says it's best if I make an actual hourly schedule so that she feels better about being paid."

He pursed his lips for a while, "actually... I'm a bit busy at the moment since I've got to deal with your bookings next week. Mind dealing with her schedule for me?"

Ash grunted, concealing that he was already trying to make up a plan for Teresa in his head. He didn't know how long she would want to stay with him. If she even wanted to stay with him at all.

Then, temporarily leaving his devilish plans, Ash settled on making the best plan possible. A plan that would make her forget she even hated him in the first place.

| Teresa |

I was scared for my next day. Oria and Steven's words of encouragement helped me just a little bit. And their little announcement about getting together also brought up my spirits.

Steven told us that he wasn't allowed to fully cancel his plans, as he was supposed to take over his dad's business, but he was permitted a delay. At least until he got his Bachelor of Kinesiology.

"I always knew they'd end up with each other," Claire smiled, staring as the couple walked away from us, holding hands. Claire sat at shotgun, since I told her I could drive her to her family's restaurant.

"Yeah," I agreed. "But I never knew they'd commit to each other so soon."

She shrugged, pulling the belt over herself. "Better sooner than later."

I pulled out of campus and headed to the East part of town. It was a half an hour ride, and she thanked me numerous times. "Just get me a discount on those dumplings," I teased, rolling up my window and pulling out of their driveway.

Now it was time to head to my new job. To Ash.

Trying to get my thoughts off yesterday, I blasted some music as I drove the rest of the way.

When I arrived, the crew was already setting up, and Ash was getting the finishing touches on his hair. He had more gel put on him than in my jar of vaseline.

"Teresa!" Peter greeted, walking towards me with a shopping bag in hand. "Randall told me that he'll be coming here with more camera guys. You'll need to change into this before they get here."

I took the bag from his hands and peeked inside. There was a pale yellow dress with a jean jacket. "But it's zero degrees out."

Maudie spoke up, finishing whatever the hell she was doing with Ash's jet black hair. "Beauty over pain, darling. You should try it once."

Not even bothering with her remark, I headed to the change room they had set up. It was just four poles and a curtain, so I felt the hairs on my skin rise up as I stripped down to my undergarments.

They had gotten my size right, at least. Perfectly. The dress wasn't too short, hanging right above my knees. And the jean jacket fit my as snug as my hoodie would.

I came out of the change room, and noticed them staring at my feet. "What?" I asked, staring at my shoes. They were white vans, clean and pristine as if I'd just bought them. "What's wrong with me now?"

Maudie gave Peter a pleading look, but he shook his head, "baby steps. She's good... for now."

What's that supposed to mean? I sighed, following Maudie around as she gave me instructions on what to do next. Most of it were errands, making me have to walk back and forth to get things.

Other times though, I had to give Ash his bottle of water. I couldn't stop staring at the tattoo on his chest. And then I realized he wasn't wearing a shirt at all. Here I was, covered in a dress, freezing my ass off. And he was standing there with only a leather jacket slung over his shoulder. Barely giving him any warmth whatsoever.

When the photographer called for a break, I sat down on the plastic chair and grabbed myself a bottle of Gatorade from the cooler. I was feeling tired, and I needed all the energy I could get to finish the day.

Without noticing him coming my way, Ash stood in front of me, and then without the slightest of a warning, wrapped me in his black leather jacket. While he stood, half naked. I looked up at him in disbelief.

And then he whispered one word that sank my heart deeper than the Titanic, "cameras."

"Right," I nodded, trying to act like I knew what he was doing.

Like he had no effect on me whatsoever.

I smiled, trying to play along so that the camera would get enough shots of us for the day. Then I stood up, and using up all the courage I had in the world, wrapped him up in my arms.

I felt him tense up a little, but slowly relax and return the hug. His chest felt cold against my cheek. Around us, I heard mumbles, knowing that it was us they were talking about. And then I stepped back, returning to usual business.

He did so as well.