Playing with fire

Tears

He woke to Connie thrashing about in her sleep, he got off the sofa and turned on the light, before shaking her gently,

"Connie... Con... It's me, wake up," he asked her gently, watching as she opened her eyes and looked at him,

"He's not here," he told her gently,"it's just me and you... Just focus on your breathing for me..."

"Jacob," she uttered, as he nodded,

"I feel like an idiot," she uttered and he took her hand, "let's go to bed, it was just a dream, you're okay,"

She nodded and exhaled, "I thought for a moment I was back there with him... What am I going to do?"

He tucked her hair behind her ear, "tonight, you're going to sleep... You don't have to make any decisions now,"

She nodded, "right you are,"

He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. He placed his hand on her cheek and ran his thumb against her skin, "I wish I could take your pain away," he told her quietly, "I'm sorry this is happening to you,"

She woke the following morning to a note by her pillow, "although I'd much rather spend the day with you, I couldn't swap my shift. You're welcome to spend the day here, make yourself at home. I'll be back at 6. If you fancy come company this evening we could go for a walk and grab some dinner. I hope you're feeling better. Jacob x"

She ran her fingertips over his note and smiled, "just got your note, thank you Jacob masters, I'll make us some dinner for this evening. Don't work too hard."

He smiled as he read her message, he was hoping she'd stay but he hadn't wanted to sound like he was telling her what to do.

He came home and was surprised to see his house looking immaculate and risotto on the stove.

"Connie," he shouted, "pouring them both a glass of wine and wandering upstairs,"

"Hi," she spoke quietly,

"I have wine," he couldn't help but smile,

"Okay, come on in,"

He tried not to stare at her as he opened the door to see her relaxing back in the bath, bubbles covering most of her skin.

"Here," he smiled, holding out his hand and handing her the glass of wine,"

"Do you mind if I sit?"

She shook her head, "of course I don't." What she really wanted to tell him to do was get into the bath with her and provide her with the comfort that she didn't want to admit she needed.

He sat on the floor with his back against the bath. She placed her wine down and placed her hand on his shoulder, her thumb running across his T-shirt,

"How was your day?" She asked as they both closed their eyes,

"Busy, but nothing I couldn't handle," he replied, "you didn't have to tidy you know, I was hoping you'd rest,"

She opened her eyes and smiled, "I did rest, but doing nothing isn't me... I hope I didn't offend you,"

"No..." He laughed, "this place hasn't been this tidy in a long time... How's your shoulder?"

She shrugged, "sore, but the paracetamol and ibuprofen are helping,"

"Don't you want anything stronger?"

She shook her head, "no, anything stronger tends to knock me out and I don't feel like..."

He nodded, "I understand,"

"Right," she smiled, "I'm going to get dressed, do you fancy a walk before dinner or after?"

"Before," he told her decisively and she smiled as he got up, "I'll meet you downstairs."

Half an hour later she appeared, "what?" She smiled as he couldn't help but smile at her,

"I've never seen you dressed like that," he told her,

She raised her eyebrow and he winked at her, "I haven't. Usually you're in heels or running trainers..."

She rolled her eyes and he laughed, "go on, I'll lock up behind you."

"Carla..." Charlie smiled, "are you looking for Jacob?"

She nodded, "I thought id try and catch him while he was on a break,"

Rita raised her eyebrow, "he's gone for a run..."

Carla nodded, "never mind."

Charlie raised his eyebrow at Rita, who shrugged before walking away.

They walked closely through the woods that weren't far from his house. Jacob did most of the talking and neither minded at that point in time. She appreciated the distraction from her sore arm and he didn't want her to think he was prying any further.

She slipped her hand into his and he linked her fingers with hers, "you can stay as long as you like you know," he told her as they stopped to watch a deer that had ran out in front of them,

She shook her head, "thank you... But while I need this break from reality, I have so much to sort out,"

She squeezed his hand, "and besides, you have a beautiful girlfriend who you risk arguing with because of me,"

He laughed, "don't worry about that."

She fell asleep after dinner, her head resting on his chest while her legs were curled underneath her.

"Carla," he smiled, answering the phone as it rang, "yes I'm at home... I can't tonight..."

"Why what are you doing?" She asked and Jacob's eyes fell to how peaceful Connie looked asleep against him,

"Connie's here," he told her, "she needs a friend,"

He continued to gently comb his fingers through her hair as she slept, trying to ignore how he felt when she subconsciously cuddled into him, her arm slipping from underneath her cheek to his lap,

"In know and I'll see you soon I promise... I just..."

Carla sighed, "she's your friend, I know..."