They both stand tall and puff their chests up as they stare at each other. I roll my eyes over the annoying, childish banter. Jason looks back at me and leaves my father's office. Luke watches him go, then walks over to me and wraps his arms around me.
"You okay?" he asks.
"I'm fine. Sick of his shit. He won't come after you anymore," I say while I lean my head into his chest.
"You want to talk about it?"
I shake my head as I nuzzle more into his chest
"Hungry?" he says.
"I am always hungry," I reply with a giggle.
He whips out some sandwiches that I assume he made for us when he went home this morning—equipped with string cheese, some crackers, cookies, and juice pouches. Damn, he got all them snack time favorites. He sits down at my dad's desk, and I sit on his lap. We watch silly YouTube videos as we eat our fabulous lunches.
THE SECOND HALF OF WORK goes by just as fast as the morning half did. I have my dad's office almost completely under order. A few areas need some love yet, but at least I took care of all the paperwork that was scattered everywhere, and now you can see his brown leather couch again. That thing is hideous, and I know why he had it covered. My dad was no dummy! He made an ugly couch look less hideous!
Gladys comes in to tell me that she is heading home and won't be in tomorrow because she will be packing up for the cabin. She says that Ernie and Jason will only be working in the morning and would then be leaving for the cabin. I told her I'd be there about dinner time with Luke and my friend Ris. She seems happy to hear that I am bringing a friend. She mentions that they are taking their motorhome so us kids could have the cabin to ourselves at night.
Oh boy. I cannot believe she and Ernie trust us to have the cabin to ourselves. I will take my dad's room, and I'm sure Jason will take his parent's. Austin and the rest can share our loft that has a few sets of bunk beds. I wonder where Luke will sleep, I want him to sleep with me, but if Ris does, I don't know where he will go.
I hope she and Jason hit it off so I can be alone with Luke. After last night and this morning, I think I'm ready to have sex with him now. The time feels right to take whatever our relationship is to the next level. I grab my purse and head out of my dad's office to talk to Maureen.
"I'm heading out for the day," I say to Maureen.
"Bye, Ali, have a lovely evening," she replies.
I'm just about to head out when she asks if I can cover for her tomorrow so she can take the day off to bring her dogs to the groomers. I politely tell her that I will do it without a problem and to enjoy her weekend. I walk into the shop when I notice Luke is out front in the lobby area, talking to a blonde woman. I walk over by the window to peek a little closer and see he is talking to Bridget, making me feel a bit apprehensive.
Chapter Twenty-Five
That skanky ass bitch has her hand on his arm and is all goo-goo eyed at him while wearing an outfit from sluts-r-us. I know I shouldn't be so mean, but she was such a harlot in High School, one can only assume that she still is, knowing what happened between herself, Jason, and Luke.
What is he smiling about? What on earth could she say that he would find the least bit amusing? Get a grip, Ali. You and Luke aren't together? You're just friends, and they are just friends. Stop being a jealous little girl and walk away before someone catches you staring out the window like a creeper.
I was thinking about taking our relationship, friendship, or whatever it is to the next level. After seeing him with her, I am not sure anymore. I do not want to think that he may do intimate things with her as he does with me. Although he told me he hasn't, it's there in the back of my mind, haunting me. Things between him and I have moved quite fast, and I have not been able to exercise any self-control. He consumes me every time he is near me, and I forget about everything. I cannot help that he has that effect on me.
"I'm headed out, Ali. See you Monday. Thank you for covering for me tomorrow!" Maureen says with a smile.
"No problem. See you Monday," I reply.
I turn back toward the lobby and notice that both Luke and Bridget are gone. I settle down some and head through the shop. I look around for Luke but do not see him. Where did he go, and is he still with Bridget? I was hoping we'd possibly hang out today after work, but he has just vanished. I keep walking to the parking lot toward my car. Luke is standing at his truck with Bridget leaning up against it. Ugh, she is such a fucking- whore! Luke looks over at me and waves; Bridget turns around and looks at me. I do an awkward wave back and smile like a dork.
"Hi, Ali," Bridget yells in her annoying bitch voice while waving.
I smile, say hi back, then get into my car. Feeling uneasy and not sure what to do, I drive off. I try not to look back at them through my rearview mirror. Oh boy, I hope Luke does not think I'm a psycho jealous girl right now or something. Ugh, I should've just walked over there and made small talk or stayed in Maureen's office until
