As The World Turns

Chapter 30

Marshall blinked several times, he wasn't entirely sure what to say in the current situation. She'd only said one sentence and he could already feel the steam flowing out his ears. 'It all started with a date,' what in the world was that supposed to mean.'

''Marshall are you listening to me,'' Jodie waved her hand frantically in his face trying to get his attention.

''Yeah, I just wanna know how? like how'd you go on a date with him?'' Marshall questioned running his hands down his face, trying to figure out if Joe was some crazy ex he had to deal with now as well as just an asshole constantly criticising every move he makes.

''The same way I met you, well apart from the stalking at the club,'' Marshall's brows furrowed, which caused Jodie to sigh as she needed to explain even more, ''that dating website matched us and before you get all mad thinking that it made you and Joe similar I think it had a lot to do with the fact he was close by at the time,'' she rested her hand on his shoulder in reassurance.

Taking a deep breath to collect his thoughts Marshall placed his own hand on top of Jodie's. He wasn't going to lie the fact that Jodie was put with Joe before him made him a little mad or if Jodie had decided to go out with Joe instead of him made him even angrier. Either way, he nodded for her to continue as he needed the full story before he made his decision.

''Anyway, we went out and there was like no spark ya know. Nothing really made me like him in that way. But we went out again afterwards...''

''Whoa thought you said it was just one date?'' Marshall cut her off before she could finish.

''Well I don't count the second time we went out as a date cause we just agreed to be friends after and we were, for a long time actually,''  Jodie sighed, she was all of a sudden flooded with all the memories she'd made with Joe, the cheesy photos they'd taken, the shitty horror movies they'd watched and the parties they'd attended where every five seconds they had to confirm they weren't a couple.

''Ok, so what happened, why do you hate him now? I mean I don't exactly blame you but, I wanna know you know,'' Marshall shrugged. He had mixed feelings at that moment since he was happy that Jodie and Joe were nothing more than friends, but he was still angry that Joe appeared to be trying to get back to being friends with Jodie after all the time they hadn't been on the best of terms. To Marshall, something didn't add up.

''He said some things that got me upset and refused to apologise to me. I say refused he tried to say sorry Saturday and Sunday, but he was seven years too late. Cause A my best friend now if Taylor and B I got you,'' she playfully poked Marshall in the chest a small smile creeping across her face.

''Yeah you do and don't forget about it,'' he poked her back a little smile of his own, starting to show through, ''So I ain't gotta worry about Joe trying to swoop in on my girl?''

''Hell no I told you I never thought of him like that; he took me to the Diner I worked at for our date. I mean I worked there all morning I didn't wanna go back in the evening.  You, on the other hand, are Mr Romanntic that night on the rooftop was something I'll never forget and for all the right reasons. The only reason I remember Joe's was because it was so bad,'' Marshall couldn't help smirking, the validation of knowing his date was better than Jodie's made him feel a lot better about the whole thing, even if he was still a little weary about Joe.

''Mr Romantic, don't think that's something I've ever been called before,'' he rose his eyebrow as Jodie started playing with the ends of her apron a blush forming across her features.

''Well I mean nobody had taken me on a real proper date before and well it was perfect so, yeah,'' she trailed off as she felt her cheeks getting hotter.

''Well I take full credit cause Denuan didn't help me decorate at all I did it all on my own,'' he puffed his chest out causing Jodie to fall about in a fit of giggles.

''I'll make sure not to thank Denaun for his help then.''

''You better not. Also can't believe I don't get to see you dressed up every morning kinda jealous actually,'' Marshall pulled on her apron taking it from her fingers.

''Hmm really, cause I think I look like I just came from a fancy dress party.''

''Nah, this is kinda sexy,'' Jodie yelped as he moved her over to straddle his lap, his hands running down her sides to rest on her hips.

''Well I can't argue with that now can I,'' Marshall shook his head as he brought her head down so he could bring her in for a deep kiss. That stayed in the same position making out for longer than Jodie could keep count. A part of her didn't want it to end, but when the door clicked open, so did their session.

''What the fuck man,'' Marshall cursed as Jodie buried her head in his neck trying to hide the blush creeping along her neck.

''Oh grow up Marshall,'' Jodie heard the voice she remembered belonging to Paul, ''did you forget Dre was coming in to help with production today or did you get distracted.''

''I may have gotten distracted, but we did have a much-needed conversation so,'' Jodie could feel Pauls glare even without seeing it, which caused her to laugh silently into Marshall's neck.

''Maybe I should go?'' she whispered trying to slide off his lap, but Marshalls firm hands kept her from going anywhere

''But I don't want you too,'' he pouted, his eyes wide and pleading.

''You got work to do though and I'll only be a distraction,'' she murmured, pecking him on the lips, ''you're welcome to come round tonight if you want?'' Jodie offered, finally able to slide off his lap and stand back up.

''Fine, but you better be in when I come knocking,'' he pointed at her with a serious look.

''I'll make sure,'' she giggled before blowing a kiss and walking past a bemused Paul.

''So that was Jodie,'' she giggled as she realised Marshall now had to explain to Paul what just happened.