This Romantic Novel [√]

Chapter 19: If You Like Her

"And then BANG!!" Marcus exclaimed, leaning forward to the three children that surrounded the campfire.

They swiftly jumped scared before slowly leaning forward - already intrigued by what happened to the main character in the haunted house. I was in the kitchen, staring at them along with Penelope who glanced at them too.

"Not gotta lie," I giggled before looking at Penelope, "Your husband is great in telling spooky stories," I complimented.

"I chose a keeper," Penelope praised herself.

I playfully scoffed as I held my mug of hot chocolate towards my lips taking a sip.

"Yum," I smiled at Penelope.

Penelope's smile crept up her lips before she also took a sip of her hot chocolate. "You gotta give me the recipe for your hot chocolate," Penelope pleaded.

"Nope, no one will know it until it's time," I declined before wandering towards the dining table to sit down.

Penelope did the same, placing herself in front of me. "Listen, Jade," Penelope called me.

I glanced up at her baffled whilst taking another sip of my hot chocolate. "What's wrong?" I asked her.

"I have this friend from work that is single and seems like your type, and I'm thinking of setting you up with him," Penelope suggested.

I chuckled as if what she said was a joke. "There's no way" I smiled politely.

However, my smile slowly faded as I beamed at Penelope (who looked down at her hot chocolate cup) not saying anything for the last seconds before seeing her staring at me with worried eyes.

"After trying to set you up with Luke was a major success, it seems that this relationship came with problems," Penelope worded carefully; and I knew what she meant.

My mood changed completely as I glanced at my hot chocolate cup. "I don't plan to date anymore," I honestly told her, "After this, once this is over, I'll focus on my career as I promised myself," I added.

"But-" "No, I'm sure" I cut her off with another smile.

She stared at me for a second to nod her head later, accepting my own decision. "Okay, but the offer is still there," She added before she changed the subject quickly that allowed our good moods to rise.

~~~

The kids were soon in the living room, watching a movie in their sleeping bags while all the adults were in the dining room as we chatted. I hated it. But I felt sorry for Luke who felt uncomfortable stares by Cooper who sat next to me. Viewing my left I nudged Cooper in the arm for him to stare at me - offering the 'what' expression while I rolled my eyes.

"So, I didn't know that Julian wanted to invite you, " Penelope explained.

We all gazed in Luke's direction, seeing him chuckling before he answered "Well I didn't know either until he asked me after dance lessons,"

"That boy is full of surprises," Penelope sighed.

"He got that from you," Marcus responded to her sigh.

"No," Penelope denied, "He got that from you," She said offended.

I chuckled at their sudden quarrel before taking off my hot chocolate. Finishing every last drop, I gaze at my mug to see stains of chocolate on the porcelain skin - and I immediately felt hungry for more.

"Well," I stood up, skidding my chair back as I stared at everyone that looked back at me - making sure to avoid Luke's gaze. "I'm going to make more hot chocolate. Who wants one?" I asked.

"Me!"

"Me"

"I want one"

"Yes please"

I hear everyone in the room. I chuckled, "Okay, I'll be right back and ask the kids," I suggested.

Strolling towards the living room, the scenery became darker (except for the tv that is still on).

"Hello kids," I poked my head out.

The three kids that were in their sleeping bags, were watching the television screen swiftly before averting their vision towards me. I smiled. "Do you guys want some hot chocolate,?" I questioned.

Their faces glowed with happiness that could light up the darkroom they were in before nodding their heads in sync with each other - causing me to chuckle once more. "Okay, it won't take too long," I reassured them before venturing back towards the kitchen area; where I hear the others talking and chatting amongst themselves. Placing my mug and a few other mugs for everyone, I began to make my secret recipe of hot chocolate; looking at Penelope once in a while to make sure she wasn't looking at what I was doing.

A FEW MINUTES LATER...

"Here you go, hot chocolate," I gave the kids their mugs first before returning and placing the other mugs on the dining table for the adult to collect.

"Thank you so much," All of them said before grabbing a mug, (one by one) while I walked back to the kitchen table to grab my own before returning.

"Your secret recipe is always amazing," Cooper complimented.

"Why thank you, big bro," I said, letting his hand ruffle my hair.

"Please tell me your secret," Penelope requested.

"And I told you," I paused, turning to her with a sly look, "I wouldn't,"

"I could use this during the winter when it snows," Amanda complimented - implying slightly to leak the recipe.

I turned around and smiled at her. "Why thank you," I spoke with gratitude (but still denying it) before taking a sip.

"Isn't she great?" I hear Amanda, seeing her looking at Luke who stared at her with the same eyes as before.

I immediately turned away, not wanting to feel my heart tighten and ache while I continued to take sips.

Suddenly, multiple footsteps came towards the kitchen - making all of us turn to see the kids stopping in front of us.

"Is there a problem with the tv honey?" Penelope questioned her son.

"Something happened to the tv and I don't know where you put the spare blankets," Julian answered.

"Okay, I'll go and see what's wrong with the TV," Marcus told Penelope while she stood up to grab extra blankets; leaving Me, Amanda, Luke and Coop-

"Well I'm tired, good night," Cooper swiftly said before swiftly running to his own room.