Ignited ✔️

1:17

-EMERY-

"Hows your food?" Reed asks as he takes a bite of his lobster.

I smile weakly in response to him. As much as I was enjoying being spoiled, I couldn't get my mind off of River. We almost kissed and I hate myself for how much I wanted it. I shouldn't want to kiss him.

"You okay Em? You seem kinda, I dunno, down I guess"

"Yeah I'm fine. Just peachy"

Reed raises an eyebrow at me and motions for the check to be delivered.

His eyes remain steady on me as the waiter brings the bill out and quickly sets it down on the table. Reed places a few bills down before standing up and grabbing his jacket.

"There's one more stop tonight" he tells me as he holds out a hand.

I glance down at my nearly full plate of food and back at him before standing and placing my hand in his.

He quickly drags me out of the fancy restaurant and to his car. I get in the passenger seat as he starts the car and buckle my seatbelt before he speeds off.

Neither of us speak as he drives towards the beach. It's a short drive, but the car is filled with tension, and not the good kind. Reed and I were so awkward around each other.

He parks his mustang and shuts it off before getting out of the car. He rounds it and waits by the front for me. When I catch up, he grabs my hand and laces our fingers together.

He leads me a little ways down the beach and towards the bar where Alex is busy cleaning as per usual.

"Hey Alex round us up some drinks" Reed says to him as we sit down.

Alex pastes on a fake smile and greets us.

"A corona and perhaps a water for the lady?" Alex says with his arms folded.

Reed clenches his jaw and his eyes darken slightly before he quickly blinks it away.

"No she'll take a sangria. It's her favorite. Oh and make sure you don't forget the whipped cream!"

Whipped cream?

Alex rolls his eyes before glancing at me. I only respond with a shrug and he gets to work on drinks.

"Do you really think my loyalty lies with John?"

I raise my eyebrows at his random question. Reed wasn't one to get personal. Being the mayors son he needed to keep everything private, he never opened up to me about anything, so I was beyond confused.

"I don't know Reed. It's hard to tell sometimes. I feel like you only care about your image and not about me all the time."

"Emery you know that's not true"

"Reed-"

"Come on, I mean you know how important politics are for me, you knew that when we started dating. Of course my image is important. Why else do you think I'm dating you?" He blurts.

I don't know what I expected him to say but that so wasn't it.

"You're dating me for your image?" I ask dumbfounded.

I watch as his eyes widen slightly and a red tint appear on his cheeks.

"No that's n-not the only reason. I mean sure you being a preachers daughter is a point for me but there are plenty of other things I love about you."

"Really? Like what?"

"Um-"

He's cut off by Alex sliding our drinks across the bar top.