In Omnia Paratus (AU) - Book 2

Love

"What did you speak about whilst we were gone?" Lily asked walking beside me as we walked back to her house from town.

"Oh, with Richard? Nothing out of ordinary, just what I'm doing here. Obviously seeing you." I smiled across at Lily and it frightened me how good I was getting at lying.

"Nothing else?" She asked.

"No, he told me he's not dating Molly if that's what you're digging for?" I snapped at her.

"So he's still available? Wow, I don't think he's been single for this long for the whole time I've know him." Lily chuckled to herself.

"Maybe he's taking a break." I shrugged.

"Or maybe he's dating someone new, that we don't know." Lily said raising her eyebrows.

"I can sincerely say that Richard is not dating anyone. He would of told me, we're good friends and besides the mystery girl would of gone to Paris with him don't you think?" I rolled my eyes at her.

"Were there any girls there?" She asked.

"Uh yes but meaningless ones, they stuck to boys." I lied.

"Well you never know, he might still be pining for you." Lily smiled as we stepped inside her house.

"Yes after over a year. I think that's very unlikely." I laughed at her.

- - - - -

"So..." Richard said down the phone that evening as I took a walk outside to answer his call.

"So..." I hummed shuffling my feet.

"The drinks today was nice." He said quickly.

"Yeah it was nice to see everyone." I said closing my eye feeling like a complete idiot for even answering the phone.

"So." He said.

"So." I replied.

"Are we still good?" Richard hummed, obviously pretty nervous by the tone of his voice.

"Absolutely" I said shaking my head.

"Really?" He asked as if he didn't believe me.

"Richard, we both agreed. Casual. Remember?" I sighed.

"I remember. I was just checking to see how well you remember." He laughed.

"I remember perfectly." I laughed back at him lightly.

"Okay, that's good to hear. So -" Richard drifted off.

"Oh, we're not going to do the 'so' thing again, are we?" I asked painfully.

"No, promise. No more so's." Richard laughed and I felt him feel less tense in his voice and I felt calmer. "Uh, do you want to come over seeing st you're up here?"

"I'm staying at Lily's." I admitted feeling a bit disappointed.

"Sneak out." He suggested.

"Even if I did, she's catch me some how." I laughed at his stupid attempt.

"Alright." Richard admitted defeat.

"I'll call you tomorrow." I said yawning a little bit as it was almost 11 o'clock at night.

- - - - -

I crept up to the large building and counted the Windows along. I think I knew which bedroom was his, I'm pretty sure it was the third window in from the left.

I fished for a rock at the bottom of the fountain and after several attempts and rubbish throws I finally managed to get him to stir.

"What's going on?" Richard came to his window opening it and looking out into the night.

"Hi there." I laughed looking up at him.

"Jenna? What are you doing?" He scoffed a little spaced out as he was obviously asleep or if not very tired and trying to sleep.

"Lily fell asleep. I came to say hi, couldn't sleep." I shouted up but kept my voice low.

"And the window? We have a from door you know?" He laughed looking down.

"I didn't want to wake your mum." I bit the corner of my lip.

"They're all in the summer home until Sunday." Richard smiled. "Give me two seconds, I'll come and get the door."

He disappeared from the window and I pranced around outside admiring the freshly cut bushes and the fountain in the middle of their drive way.

"Is it an occasion? You changed." I frowned at him as he opened the door.

"I was in nothing but boxers, I had to put some clothes on." Richard scoffed.

"Well, you didn't have to." I laughed.

- - - - -

"I need coffee do you have coffee?" I groaned stood in Richards oversized shirt as I wandered around his kitchen the next morning.

"Yes we have coffee. Over there I think." He moaned getting tired, I forced him up early because I had to go back to Lily's soon before she noticed I was gone but I knew she always sleeps in anyway.

"Jackpot." I shouted grabbing the coffee and careful taking out two mugs for the both of us.

"You have too much energy for the morning." Richard mumbled.

"I was grumpy when I woke up. Now I'm awake it's fine." I smiled at him sitting down and sipping my coffee before pushing his towards him.

"Still too perky for me." He grumbled before kissing me gently.

"I love you." I mumbled after the kiss into his lips. We were both a little startled by me saying that but then it kind of sunk in. The last time I was so reluctant to say it but now, it just felt right.

"I love you too." He said pulling my waist closer to his.

"I mean it rich, I don't know what we need to do about this casual thing but I love you and there's no one else for me." I said sincerely looking up into his eyes.

"This summer has been fine hasn't it?" Richard shrugged.

"It's been lovely." I smirked.

"So you think we could be boyfriend and girlfriend?" He asked eagerly. 

"I said before that things were too complicated and they still are. The week after next I start school and you start university. They're big leaps and I don't know if you want to be single for the first couple of months." I smiled.

"Of course not. I just want you." He mumbled into my lips as we kissed once again and I leant against his chest afterwards.

"So?" I hummed.

"So we take things slow and see what happens?" Richard kissed my forehead before letting me go and get changed.