chapter 7

I tipped my head back and laughed. "He called you a dipshit," I giggled.

"Shut up," Emmett threw a small piece of crust at me.

"I've decided to have a dress up theme?"

"Oh God no," Zac laughed.

"What kind of theme?" Emmett asked.

"I was thinking, possibly doing a character from a favourite book or movie theme."

"Sounds interesting," I smiled. I checked my bank account through my phone and realised I got my pay for the week. My heart sunk a little bit when I saw the amount. I felt as if someone had drained the blood from my body. If this pay continues with the same hours, I'll never be able to have enough money for rent each month and have enough for other luxuries in my life... like food. Last time I asked I couldn't get more shifts, because I'm already at full capacity with hours at work with everyone else working as well.

"Fuck," I whispered under my breath.

"What's wrong?" Emmett asked. I looked at him for a moment, contemplating whether or whether not I should tell him that even though I haven't been here for that long, I wouldn't be able to stay for much longer, unless I sell one of my kidneys; even then, I don't think it would last me for very long. I had two choices, either I could keep quiet and deal with it myself, or I could tell him. I took a long deep sigh and decided with the ladder.

"If my pay continues how it is from the Bar I don't think I'll be able to make enough for rent each month and have enough to feed myself." I ran my fingers through the roots of my hair, a habit that I have developed when I was stressed.

"Could you work more?" Emmett asked.

"I'm already working as much as I can," I said. I brushed my hair off of my face, feeling the anxiety pull deep within my chest.

"Maybe, you could get another job?" Burney chimed in. I didn't answer him straight away. I looked at Burney and gave him a small smile. No one would be hiring this time of year and even if they were it would take a while for me to be employed. And even if they were, who would employ me at this time.

"I have a friend who works at a bookstore across the street, I think he may be hiring. I can put in a good word for you?" Zac said. He was scratching the back of his head. His face was slightly pinched, as if he was fighting an impulse.

I looked up at him from across the table. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, I'm good buddies with the owner. My work is across the street from the store."

"If you could, that would be greatly appreciated," I said. Hope was blossoming in my chest and I smiled enthusiastically at him.

"I'll pop by on my way to work and ask," he smiled back at me and my heart did a flip. How could I be so enchanted by him in what feels like such a small about of time.

By the time six came around, I was ready and waiting. My hair was glossy and bouncy in loose curls, my makeup was light and natural, and I was wearing casual clothes. I was nervous about what I should wear. I didn't want to dress too casual but not too over the top as well for dinner and a movie. I wore my usual black jeans with my boots and a dark green top that showcased my waist and chests and after quickly brushing my teeth and putting on some lip gloss, there was a knock at the door.

"Ali, your date is here!" Zac yelled from the front door.

"Coming!" I yelled back, adjusted my makeup and quickly went to the front door.

James stood with his hands in his pockets. He wore a dark blue button up top and a black denim shirt. The dark blue of his shirt brought out the green within his eyes.

"Hello," James said.

"Hey, stranger" I smiled at him.

"Are you ready?" James asked.

"Yeah, just let me grab my jacket."

Zac sat on the edge of the couch with his arm outstretched with my black denim jacket in his hand.

"Have fun," he smiled.

"Wish me luck," I whispered.

"Make sure she's back by eleven," Zac said to James with a laugh.

I smiled back at Zac before stepping through the door and pushing James out.

He led me to a silver jeep and opened the passenger door for me.

"What's for dinner?" I asked when he got into his car.

"Do you like pizza?" he asked.

I looked at him faking shock. "Of course! Only mad people don't like pizza."

He laughed. "Well, I was thinking pizza before the movie. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good."

We drove in an almost awkward silence, apart from the soft hum of music in the background.

We stopped to get the pizza first.

"I'll pay for pizza if you pay for the movies," I smiled.

"Deal."

After grabbing the pizza, I went to grab a table, but then James stopped me.

"What are you doing?"

"Grabbing a table."

"Nope, we're going somewhere else," he said already walking to his car.

"Okay," I laughed.

We drove for a couple more minutes heading to what seemed like nowhere. The trees were thickening as James drove up hill.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"It's a secret," He said with one hand on the wheel and the other in his lap.

"Is this the part where you kill me?" I nervously laughed. "Is that it? You take me to some foreign location and kill me before I can have a slice of pizza. Seems fair, seems like the perfect way to both kill and torture me at the same time."

He laughed.

"You like pizza that much?" He asked.

"Oh no, I don't like pizza. I love it." I corrected him and watch as he chuckled.

"Seriously, where are we going?" I asked again.

"We're almost there," he smiled.

He pulled up into a small parking lot surrounded by trees.

I looked around. "Now what?"

"Now we walk," He said, taking the pizza from my lap and leaving the car.

I jumped out and followed after him, crossing my arms to keep out the cool air.

"So not only am I about to die and not have a slice of pizza, but I also have to exercise... great." He walked upwards on a hill; a path created from many people walking the path before.

"Stop complaining, slow poach," He shouted down at me from the top of the hill.

I laughed.

When I was almost to the top, James reached out his free hand to me to help pull me up.

"Oh wow," I whispered to myself.

We stood on a cliff ledge that overlooked the ocean. Light embedded within the rock underneath lit the edge of the ledge.

"I know, right." James sat down with the pizza in his hand and opened the lid. I sat down across from him, curling my feet under me.

"How did you find this place?" I asked after a couple bites of my pizza.

"Off of a friend."

"And now you take all of your dates here?" I added.

He laughed. "Only the ones I like," he joked which made me laugh.

"So, tell me about yourself?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Any siblings?"

"I have three sisters and a brother," He said, a faint smile on his face, his eyes distant, lost in memory.

"Which sibling is your favourite?"

He laughed for a moment. His hand rubbed his chin and he shook his head. "Ah probably, Jane..." He nodded his head. "She's the youngest of us."

"Why is she your favourite?"

"She doesn't bother me as much as the others," He joked. "In all seriousness, she's so kind and compassionate and makes me smile. How about you? Any siblings?"

I nodded my head. "I have three brothers, one older and two younger twin brothers."

"That must be fun," He laughed.

"Yeah so much fun," I smiled, my voice laced with sarcasm and I rolled my eyes.

"Now who's your favourite?" He asked.

"That's hard cause they're all annoying," I laughed. "But I think maybe Aidan. He's one of my younger brothers."

"Why is he your favourite?"

"I don't really know. I mean he just makes me laugh. He gets me, but sometimes he can be very obnoxious and he's my mother's favourite, so he's very spoiled but he is my favourite. "

We continued eating until there wasn't any pizza left in the box.

I looked out into the ocean; a cool ocean breeze washed over us.

"It really is beautiful up here," I said.

He nodded his head in agreement.

"We need to get going to the movie soon," He broke the silence.

The movie went by quickly. We sat in an awkward silence. I couldn't even focus on the movie we chose because all I could think about was the handsome guy next to me and how his hand was so close to my own.

We drove in an almost uncomfortable silence on the way, only talking every now and then about the movie until he parked at the front of my place. home until he walked me to the front door.

When we walked up the porch and stopped at the front door, I turned to him with keys in my hand.

"Thank you for tonight, I had a great time," I said to him, holding my jacket closer to my body to keep out the cold.

"No, thank you. I did too," He smiled down at me.

"Would it be completely inappropriate for me to kiss you right now?" he asked, his green eyes searched all over my face and stopped at my lips.

I could feel my heartbeat throughout my body. My chest rising and falling with anxiety.

I shook my head and stared at his lips.

"Not inappropriate," I mumbled watching him take a step closer towards me.

I tilted my head up, my eyes closing, and my lips parted, waiting for him.

His lips lightly touched my own. I sucked in a breath, feeling a little spark throughout my whole body.

I reached up and took his jacket in my hand to pull him closer to me.

He kissed me again but with more pressure this time. He kisses me slowly at first but then the pressure builds and takes over me. I push him even closer to me until I am backed up against the front door. His hands ran up the side of my body, until they stop, cupping the sides of my face. I opened my mouth wider allowing his tongue into my mouth and he groaned against me.

I want to take him inside and bring him into my room. I wish I was someone who could take someone I just met and bring them into my room. Someone who could give themselves to someone they barely knew and not feel bad about it later.

I brought my hand from his jacket to his chest and lightly pushed him back.

"James," I said in an almost warning voice, and pulled back from him. "We need to stop."

"Okay, but I don't want to," He laughed.

We waited for a moment, looking at each other. I pushed him back a little more, needing to get distance from him and let my head rest against the front door.

"Me neither, but we need to." I smiled up at him. His lips were swollen and the skin around his lips were pink.

"Thanks again for tonight," I said.

"Goodnight," He said and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, and I watched him walk down the porch and to his car.