She wasn’t sure how much time had passed. Between the conversations, the drinks, and the dancing; All Kaitlyn knew was that she felt more alive than she had in years. The dynamic of Jackson with his friends, so special and intriguing, that Kaitlyn felt like she had just opened a secret treasure, only for her eyes to see. The way he talked to them, so open and gentle. It reminded her of how it had been when Joshua still hung around her and Randy. The open teasing, the love that just was always there… She didn’t know Jackson could have something so… similar, if not better. Hannah and Spencer, those two seemed like they’d die for him. Joshua, her and Randy had been the same, the three of them inseparable. Well, until Randy became obsessed with his work… Joshua had all but vanished too. Pink lips pulled between her teeth, and Kaitlyn’s red hair became entangled around her fingers. She wondered if maybe she could befriend Jackson’s friends too. She

There was an awkward silence that permeated about the house. The walls listening, the carpets unmoving as Kaitlyn sat herself gently on the couch. The tension was enough to give her goosebumps, and as she watched Randy lean against the wall across from her--she felt all the more anxious. "All right, Randy. I'm listening. What did you want to talk about?" The house was silent at Jackson's departure. Randy had insisted that Jackson leave the house for a few hours while they discussed whatever was so important. The worry that had fallen away at his smile was back tenfold. Multitudes of scenarios rushing at her mind as she tried to pinpoint Randy's intentions.  Would Randy want to call off their engagement? She had always secretly hoped that day would never come, but right now, she wasn't so sure it hadn't. She'd loved him since she was a young child, chasing after his vibrant and loving personality i

'I will be.' The words were a candle, and Jackson was determined to light the flame.  Because even if it wasn't with him, the man found himself determined to make it happen.  Come hell or high water, Kaitlyn would be happy. He'd make sure of it.  And that's exactly how he ended up where he was, elbows leaned precariously on a desk as he eyed the pretty receptionist.  "Hey, I'm here for Randy Folts. Do you mind letting me up to see him, dollface?"  Jackson leaned against the counter of the lobby more securely, staring down at the good-looking, college-aged secretary. She was cute, eyeing him back without even a hint of subtlety. It was very different than the flustered looks Kaitlyn gave him, the perky brunette in front of him oozing nothing but confidence. She was adorning a tight blouse that showcased her cleavage and from what he could tell, she was wearing a pair of professional dress pants that hugged her t

Kaitlyn couldn't help but notice that Jackson had been acting strange.Quiet, a little withdrawn.His usual snarky smiles missing its bite as he seemed to leave the house more and more frequently.It felt like a prick in her side.Their fight in the kitchen lingering in her mind. She wondered if his bad mood had been her fault.But more importantly....She found that she missed him terribly.She missed the night he randomly dragged her away, she missed his laugh, his company.It actually surprised her just how much his absence hurt her.It almost physically hurt sometimes, when she walked into the living room to bug him ( waiting for her chance to apologize to him ) only to discover a little Jackson sized dent on the couch. But the raven nowhere to be found.It was like that every morning this week.

“Ahhh.”Kaitlyn felt ridiculous as she sat there, leaning forward on her hands with her mouth open.As a few seconds passed, she was tempted to suck up her pride that had run away from her.But just when she was about to chirp out a quick ‘I was just kidding’, Jackson’s hand dropped down to the plate and stabbed into the fluffy mass of scrambled eggs. Her lashes fluttered once, then twice.“Here.” The tip of the silvery metal prongs touched her lips, and she immediately turned a brighter pink. Her eyes narrowed as he gave her a suspicious smile.“Oops, sorry, I missed.” She glared but then the food was placed into her mouth, and she quickly bit down on it.He pulled away and she watched him, hyper focused on his movements as she chewed slowly.The taste was fluffy and airy, lightly peppered and honestly, it was incredibly good. The fact he took the time to cook for her despite how