Chapter 2
The scent of food filled the kitchen.
He flipped the eggs neatly and toasted the bread, and it was clear he cooked for himself all the time.
I stood next to him, handing over salt and black pepper, so nervous I didn't know where to put my hands.
The crisp scent of pine on him blended with the cozy aroma of the kitchen, which somehow made me feel safe, yet set my heart racing at the same time.
"Jamie, weren't you working on a project overseas? When did you get back?" I asked, trying to make small talk.
"Just got in this afternoon," he replied, smoothly taking the toast out of the toaster and plating the fried eggs.
"So what are you..."
"I'm here to see you," he answered softly.
My heart skipped a beat.
See me? To see if I'm messing up?
"Here you are,"as I was thinking this, he held the plate with steaming eggs and toast out in front of me.
The scent hit me, and my stomach betrayed me with a growl.
I buried my head and stuffed the toast and egges into my mouth, too nervous to look at him.
He sat across from me, watching me quietly.
His gaze was so intense, I felt like prey caught in a predator's sights.
"Olivia Lane," he suddenly started the chat.
"What?" I mumbled, my mouth stuffed with food.
"What's the name of that guy you have a crush on?"
I started coughing up a storm, my face turning bright red because of that.
How did James find out? Oh, right! It must've been Emily Sterling, that blabbermouth who can't keep a secret.
Emily was James's cousin and my best friend.
She's the one I meant to send that cringey message to.
"N-No, there's no guy I have a crush on..." I mumbled, lowering my head, flustered.
"Really?" James's tone gave nothing away. "I thought you meant to send that message to him."
I ducked my head even further, wishing I could disappear into my bowl.
"No, I didn't..." I muttered, barely audible.
"That's all right," he replied.
After hearing that, I looked up abruptly, meeting his deep, unreadable eyes where some unnameable emotion flashed away, too quick for me to get.
Once I finished eating, he took the initiative to clear and wash the dishes, without me even having to ask.
I stood in the kitchen doorway, watching his back as he carefully scrubbed the plates. My feelings were a mess.
He's acting so strange today. It isn't like him at all. He's a bit too gentle.
"I'm heading out." His voice pulled me back. Drying his hands, he walked toward the foyer.
"Oh... okay," I trailed after him.
He slipped on his shoes, his hand resting on the doorknob, but he didn't open it right away.
His tall figure loomed over me as he turned around, blocking out everything else.
"Olivia," he said.
"Yes?" I murmured.
"From now on, don't do those dares anymore," his voice was low and husky. "And don't go sending those kinds of messages to other guys."
My heart went haywire.
Wait, is he trying to care me?
"Got it," I whispered.
He fixed me with a loaded stare, seeming he had something else to say, but in the end, he reached out and gently tousled my hair.
"Get some sleep," he said.
He opened the door and slipped out.
I leaned against the door, my heart still pounding like crazy.
I could still feel the warmth of his hand on my head.
Oh my god, was James hitting on me?
After realizing that, my cheeks flushed all over again, feeling on fire.