Flower of the Flame

Chapter 8

"Garrett, what are you still doing here?" I instantly ask as Simon's housekeepers leave.

Garrett grabs the guy beside him by the shoulder. "Well you see, this boy right here and I were going to have a fantastic night together."

"But?"

"He chickened out. So we just ended up cuddling." Garrett says confidently.

The boy tries to hide his face by looking down. His voice a whisper, he says "I'll just leave now..."

Garrett looks at both Simon and I with an amused smile. "Go to the car, I'll take you home." He says to the boy as he passes his keys to him from his pocket.

"I'll be a minute." He continues.

The boy nods and starts to walk away. He yelps as Garrett slaps his butt. His face undoubtedly looking embarrassed. Garrett looks back at us and laughs.

I roll my eyes and fold my arms, leaning against the island. "So, why are you waiting?"

Garrett strides over to sit on a stool beside me and looks at me then Simon. "I want to know what Simon's intentions with our little girl are."

I laugh. "You make it sound like he's dating me."

"He might want to. If that's the case then our posse needs to approve of him first. No matter how attractive he is." Garrett speaks with seriousness.

I look at Simon. He awkwardly laughs and stops making eye contact with either of us. There's no way he could ever want me. The mention of the subject strikes him uncomfortably, and it should. We probably don't have anything in common. We might even be complete opposites. Opposites can attract though. No, no. Not happening!

"I uh..." Simon mumbles.

"You uh what? Love her? Want to spend the rest of your life with her? Let her have your children? What?" Garrett's suggestions make Simon turn away as he continues to laugh awkwardly.

I start to reassure Garrett "Stop putting words in his mouth. There's no way he could want that."

"It's possible.." Simon's voice creeps out as he is still faced away from us.

What?!

"What do you mean it's possible?!" I frantically say, jerking my body in his direction.

He faces me, but doesn't make eye contact. "It could happen."

I blink several times while trying to understand how he could even consider any of those factors. For one, I don't know the first thing about dating or couples or any of those things.

"You're delusional. We're not-"

"But we could be!" His eyes look directly at me now.

"We could be together. You know," He walks towards me then puts his hand in mine.

"If it's something you want." He kisses my hand.

I feel myself blushing, once again because of him. He seems genuine. He's just a flirt. That's all he's trying to do. My breathing slows to a regular pace. I start to frown my face in confusion. I then jerk my hand away from his. Pushing him from me, he stumbles back a bit. I can't let him get close to me.

"I don't know what I want. But it's probably not that." I state firmly.

He gives me a surprised look. "We can get to know each other first." His persistence breaks through.

"I don't want to be with you Simon!"

"I'm not asking you to be, Emil!"

Garrett laughs "You see! You're already arguing like a couple."