Brooklyn (A Paul Lahote Story)

Chapter Fifteen

I reach down, patting Skie on the back as I walk alongside Paul towards Emily's place. I pull my thin jacket closer together, trying to lock in my body heat as another gust of wind blows, making me shiver.

"How can you be so warm in a t-shirt?" I ask, wrapping my arms around my torso as we keep walking.

"Guess I'm just used to this weather.." Paul shrugs, wrapping an arm over my shoulders and instantly giving me warmth.
"Geez, you're cold..." He mumbles, rubbing my arm to create heat.

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious.." I sarcastically say, placing a hand over my cold nose.

The tall boy chuckles, squeezing my shoulder as we approach the large wooden house and excitement fills my body at the thought of heat.

I start to add a little bounce to my walk, eager to get into the warm house but not wanting to seem too eager.

"You're cute.." Paul chuckles, walking up the three steps and over to the front door before opening it.

"I try.." I smile wide, my nose scrunching as I enter the house with Skie.

"Dani!" Everyone exclaims, some giving me a hug while others pet the precious husky.

"Hey guys, hope I'm not barging in.." I smile softly, hugging Emily back as everyone else claims there spot at the large table - including Paul.

"Oh, not at all! The more the merrier!" Emily smiles brightly, walking towards the kitchen and I start to follow her only to be stopped by Paul.

"You can sit if you want.." He gently says, his eyes glistening and I smile softly.

"Thanks but I think I'm gonna go see if Emily needs any help." I say, moving away before breaking eye contact with him and working my way over to the kitchen.

"So, what can I help you with?" I gently ask the beautiful, dark haired women and she turns around with a smile on her scarred face.

"Nothing, everything seems to be going good.." She trails off, looking at all the pots and pans on the stove before looking at me. "How are you doing with Paige?"

I smile softly, leaning against the counter. "Fantastic." I answer, no emotion in my voice.

I look at Emily and she gives me a look, causing me to groan and run a hand down my face. "Sometimes I want to shoot myself because of her.." I trail off, staring at the entry way to the kitchen.

The brown eyed girl pats my arm, smiling softly at me. "Yeah, she's a tough person to get along with.. I'm just used to it because she dated my brother in high school." She laughs, rolling her eyes.

I laugh lightly, shaking my head. "I'm-"

"-Hey! How's everything going?" Paul asks, entering the room and we look over at him. 

He quickly takes a glance at Emily but focuses his eyes back on me quickly, causing my heart to leap and flutter.

"Good." Emily and I say in unison, causing us to look at each other and giggle.

"Jinx! You owe me a soda!" I quickly shout and watch as Emily's eyes widen before she lets another laugh escape her lips.

"Haven't heard someone say that in years!" She exclaims, shaking her head as she turns her attention to tend to the boiling pots.

I look at Paul, only to see that he is already focused contently on me and I mentally roll my eyes. Stop being a creep!

I pull my jacket closer to me, shifting my feet as I look around the kitchen before looking back at Paul.

"What?" I ask, crossing my arms.

He smiles softly at me, shaking his head before moving over to me, standing in front of me as he looks down. "Nothing." He says, his eyes studying my face.

His stare, the way he's looking at me is making me nervous and anxious. My heart is beating out of my chest and my stomach is doing flips like its life depended on in. So, naturally, I blurt something out to get myself out of these kinds of situations..something I'm really trying to work on.

"Family tree." I quickly say, causing both Paul and Emily look at me with a confused look on their faces. At least Paul is snapped out of whatever world he was in...

"For school.." I slowly add to my lie, moving away from the counter and Paul. "I need to do a family tree and it's due on Monday morning." I say, running a hand through my hair.

"Do you need help?" Paul asks, his eyebrows bunched and I quickly shake my head.

"No, no." I smile and sigh, "I'm getting together with, uh, some people from school. We're working on our projects together." I nod, mentally agreeing with myself.

"Do you need a ride?" He smiles softly at me and I shake my head, exiting the kitchen.

Everyone sitting at the table directs their attention to me, a smile on their faces and I smile back before running into a chair. "Nice chair.." I quickly say, patting the wooden seat before moving around it and past the gang.

"You should take a seat next to me Dani!" Leah says, patting the empty chair next to her.

"Sorry, I can't stay. I have some things I need to do before Monday hits. Thanks for the invite thought!" I quickly rush out, zipping up my jacket the rest of the way. "Come on Skie, let's go home."

The grey husky follows its command, walking over to me by the door and I squat down to pat her on the back. "Maybe next time?" I politely ask. Don't want them to think I'm running away from them...just Paul.

"Yeah, definitely! Anytime." Sam says, smiling softly at me before glancing at Paul then refocusing his gaze on me.

"Thank you! Bye!" I say, opening the front door and quickly leaving the beautiful home.

What should I do now?

~*~

*Paul's P.O.V*

"So, what was that about?" Jared asks, everyone still focused on the front door that my imprint just quickly used to leave.

"Did you come on too strong?" Sam asks and I sigh, shrugging my shoulders.

"Sometimes I don't have control over what I'm doing when she's around!" I groan, flinging my arms in the air before smacking them against my sides.

"It's okay.. Remember how much control it took me not to barge into Chloee's room when I couldn't?" Jacob says from behind, causing everyone to turn around and look at him.

"Jake!" Everyone excitedly says, Quil and Embry standing up to give him a hug.

"How is she?" I quickly ask, taking the attention off of me and Dani.

"She's..."

________________________________
A/N: Hello and happy Sunday!

I hope everyone's had a great weekend and will have a fantastic week! I also hope that you all enjoyed this chapter!

Please leave thoughts and comments. 5 comments on this book and "Catch Me" and I'll update them both TWO TIMES THIS WEEK!

Until next chapter,
C