To Kiss Kate

18. the city (3)

Katiya Carpenter's Point of View:

I woke up to the sun pouring into Jack's room, alone. I was expecting him to be lying next to me, but instead he was gone leaving just an empty wad of blankets behind instead. I picked up my phone, it was 10:24. No wonder Jack had left the bed it was pretty late. I had a few texts from Genny asking for details about last night, and groupchats were full of plan-making for the night. Jack and I were planning to leave after lunch today, just relaxing until then. I sent Genny a text back, giving her a little information on the trip and the sex. She was excited for me, and it made me happy.

I got out of his bed and let out a breath. Pulling a sweatshirt over my head, I went downstairs to the smell of food.

"Good morning!" He was wide awake, bright and showered. I wondered how I had slept through it all. "I made waffles." He said as he turned down the music playing on a speaker through his phone, "sit. Let me serve you." I wrapped my arms around him first and pecked his lips. He tasted sweet, like waffles. He smiled and motioned for me to sit across the island. I took a seat while he presented me with a waffle covered in strawberries and added whipped cream.

"You're spoiling me too much, Jack." He looked up at me as I took my first bite.

"There's no such thing, Kate." His eyes glowed with happiness and thoughts of last night ran through my head. "How is it? I don't actually cook that well, but-" I cut him off.

"It's great. Perfect." He chuckled at me, not believing me and turned to clean dishes.

"So I was thinking we could just hang out for a few hours before we go back? I know you have work tomorrow and there's stuff going on tonight so I don't wanna tire you out too much, but I also don't want you to leave yet." He was so considerate, caring for every aspect of my life even more so than I did.

"Sounds perfect. Thank you for everything this weekend. Really, I needed this." He collapsed into the chair next to me and smiled.

"I know you did. I really like you, Kate." I swallowed my food before replying.

"Oh thank God! I was starting to worry." I said sarcastically and he rolled his eyes at me. "I really like your friends. The way you talk about some of them, I was expecting them to suck, but they're all really cool."

"I don't give them enough credit, they can be a little pretentious, but they're not so bad." I laughed a little.

"You should invite them to Hamilton, it's not too far and I'm sure they would fit in easily. Wealthy is a really easy clique to get into there." I told him, mocking him for instantly joining the group at home.

"Its exclusive, I'm an exception." He shot back, but smiled and continued talking, "yeah, I would like if they came but I don't think they will. Ava doesn't like the beach, she says it throws off her pH." I didn't say anything and ate my waffle. Ava was the least liked in my opinion, but I got the vibe she just didn't like me, so that was reasoned. "But Anjo is obsessed with you, so I'm sure her and Gia would come. Brad and Ashton obviously. We should make it happen." He looked at me, and I liked that he said we. "I like that Anjo likes you so much, helps my ego."

"Like your ego isn't big enough as it is." He rubbed his arm, as if my comment hurt him and smiled. "I like her too. She's a Vanderbilt right? She seems pretty down to Earth." I asked, he shrugged.

"Never would've taken you as a name girl." I blew air out of my mouth in response. "But yeah, she is. I mean, she has her moments in both directions. All my friends do. Her parents are really genuine and stuff. They're all good people, this world you think I live in isn't as bad as I make it sound." He said, fidgeting with the napkin in front of him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and looked at him, smiling. He kissed me and stood up.