Chapter 8

I gave in just a tiny bit.

My first response to Jake coming up to me was not to back further away. Instead, I slapped a hand onto his chest.

Jake's eyes widened, as did mine.

I jerked my hand back as if I was electrocuted. I racked my head for a response. "You… You shouldn't be this close…"

The kid had a pretty solid chest.

Jake whimpered, retreating to his previous spot. It was as if he had begun to wilt again.

My frustration grew. Why did it seem like sixteen floors took forever that day?

I stepped out the second the elevator doors opened, desperate to exit this mess.

I guess I had taken too far of a stride. My left shoe got stuck in the elevator door, flying from my foot as I staggered to catch my balance.

I was speechless.

The tension only thickened even more. To make matters worse, I was in a pencil skirt. One wrong move trying to retrieve the wretched shoe, and I would have flashed someone.

Just as I was getting into position to bend over, Jake picked the shoe up in a single motion. Then, he walked to me, getting down on one knee.

"Lift your foot, Miss Johnson."

I was confused.

'What? Is he going to put my shoe on for me?' I thought.

Before I could reply, he had put his other hand on my ankle, raising my left leg.

I swayed, catching his shoulder as I was caught off-guard.

Jake's head was bowed. He paused with my shoe in one hand and my ankle in the other.

I was unsure if I imagined it, but Jake's expression seemed to shift. The shift did not last very long.

He slipped on the shoe for me. He stood up with a smile, blindingly handsome as always.

"All done, Miss Johnson."

I was startled, snatching my hand off his shoulder and pushing my hair back awkwardly.

Then, Jake and I walked to the station. Strangely enough, he kept his distance the entire time. He used to prefer walking next to me, side by side.

Even when we waved goodbye, there seemed to be a hunch on his shoulders. It was as if he was a little desperate to escape.

As if he was… controlling a sort of urge.