RC.

Ch7 ....... G

He runs a hand through his hair. His face changes expression.

Jake:"It's ... I don't want Carter to hurt you ..."

T:"Hurt me...?"

I plunge my eyes into his, feeling puzzled. What does he mean?

Jake opens his mouth several times but no sound comes out.

(I help him to confide.)

T:"What? Has it got something to do with that car that was following us the other night?"

Jake:"No ... well, yes that too."

T:"Jake, please, I don't understand what you're trying to say!"

(I shake it out of him.)

T:"What do you mean?"

Jake:"Not hurt, in the sense that he would want to harm you ..."

T:"So in what sense then?"

Bob proudly shouts our order number out, which allows for me to cool down a bit.

Jake grabs the sandwiches and we both walk a little away.

Jake:"I know my boss, I know how things end with his conquests."

I stay silent, stare at him, dumb. So he knows.

T:"I ... I Don't know what you're talking about ...."

Jake:"Tayla, maybe I'm just a former solider, but I can tell when two people are fooling around!"he said with a smile or a simper, or both.

T:"I ... you..."

His curt remark shuts me up.

Jake:"Generally they're nothing like you. They're usually girls ... from the upper ... snobbish."

Jake:"They barely even look at the driver."

Jake:"But you, you're ... well ..."

He clears his throat, obviously feeling uncomfortable.

Jake:"I mean, it would be a shame if you were to beat the cost of his ... practices."

My heart is thumbing in my chest. I don't know what to say. I feel wounded, soiled.

(He's just jealous!)

What is he playing at? Is he saying that out of jealousy? Why?

I'm nothing like those girls he's talking about and my relationship with Carter is different! Jake can't just shoot something like that at me!

I can't really see myself telling him that there's nothing between Carter and me. Let's be realistic, it's as plain as the nose on your face.

And lying to him, won't make things any better between us. It's better to tell it like it is.

T:"Jake ... you're wrong. Ryan isn't like you think he is."

He sighs heavily, looking over my shoulder. I have the unpleasant feeling that it isn't the first time he's heard something like that.

T:"Ryan is a good man! He has his association, he spends time with homeless."

T:"And ... He's done a lot for me ... He took me to a wonderful restaurant, he introduced me to the chef! He's been very attentive to what could please me!"

This time, Jake's face distorts and his expression becomes caustic.

Jake:"It's easy to spend without counting, when by the time you've eaten two mouthfuls you've already earned enough to pay the whole meal."

It's just jealousy.

T:"Because he earns a lot of money, he shouldn't make the most of it, it's just plain jealousy ... Plus, he took me to his house. Showed me where he lives."

Jake:"Yes, I know, that's what angered me the most ... He should never have taken you there, you're better than that!"

T:"Oh, you mean he should have settled for screwing me in his office?!"

The brutality of my words disconcerts him.

Jake:"Of course not..."

T:"You tell me you're afraid he'll treat me like one of his brainless conquests, and then you reproach him for taking me home and spending time with me."

T:"Sorry Jake, but I don't follow!"

Jake:"I..."

He looks at me, embarrassed. As if he were conscious of having gone too far.

Jake:"I'm sorry, I ..."

T:"I've lost my appetite now. Thanks a lot."

I nervously throw my sandwich into the bin next to me and I turn and walk away, furious.

I never thought Jake could be so cutting! It'll teach me to try to arrange things!