Twelve

        The next day, school dragged by at a snail's pace and by the time I parked in my parking space at the apartment, I was completely drained and ready for a nap. Thankfully today was my one day off at the shop. My bed was calling my name and I wasted no time going up the stairs and into my apartment.

        I dropped my bags right inside the door and kicked off my shoes. When the door slammed shut, I started to pull my shirt off.

        “Now that’s the way to greet a person!” I froze with my shirt halfway over my head. Slowly, I lowered it, peering over to find Jensen lounging on my couch. I pulled my shirt the rest of the way down and smiled sheepishly.

        I can’t believe I had forgotten that he was supposed to move in today.

        “Sorry, luv. I didn’t realize it would come as a shock to find me here,” he shifted into a sitting position, a frown pulling at his lips.

        “No. No, it’s fine. I just had a long day and am exhausted. I’m glad you’re here. Really.” I walked over and sat down beside Jensen, smiling at him. He searched my face for a moment, but I was being honest. I was really glad he was here. “Did you get everything moved okay?”

        “I didn’t have much, but yes. I’m even unpacked.” He was smiling now and I felt relieved.

        “You don’t work today?” I knew he was scheduled to.

        “No. I took the day off,” he smiled. “I knew it would take long to move, but I didn’t want to rush around either.”

        “Oh.” Was all I said.

        We sat in an awkward silence and the need to escape was clawing at me. I needed a moment to get my head together. Hopefully that would wash away and left over shock at seeing him here. Without a word, I stood and headed for my room. I wanted to change out of my jeans anyway and it was the perfect excuse for escape.

        Once in side my room, I gave myself a mental shake. I could do this. It didn’t have to be weird, and I knew that awkwardness would eventually go away once we got more used to being around each other every day. Plus, with school and work we probably wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time alone.

        A knock startled me out of my thoughts and I started at the door in panic. I took a deep breath to calm myself before calling ‘come in’ to him. Jensen pushed the door open and smiled at me.

        “All right, luv?” Why do I love the way he says that? It's not natural. I decided to play dumb.

        “Of course,” I said, smiling. “Just wanted to put something comfortable on. What’s up?”

        “Just wanted to know what you wanted for dinner. I’m cooking.” He leaned against the door frame, eyes on me.

        “Surprise me,” I said, meeting his eyes. We’ll just pretend I wasn’t just checking him out and it really didn’t matter what he cooked. I would probably eat dirt if he said he made it for me.

        “You got it, luv.” He pushed off the frame and headed back down the hall.

        I quickly changed into a pair of sleep shorts and pulled my hair into a messy bun before heading into the kitchen to join him. I stopped at the bar and tried to hide a smile. Jensen looked so domestic in the kitchen. It was one more thing about him that clashed with his playboy persona.

        “Need any help?” I called, as he made short work of finding everything he needed. I wasn’t surprised since this wasn’t the first time he’s cooked for me in my… er... our kitchen.

        He didn’t speak, just shook his head and continued working. I took a seat on one of the kitchen stools and enjoyed the view. I mean, it wasn’t every day a really hot guy cooks you dinner. Though it might be a common occurrence for me now. I was one lucky girl because the view in my kitchen right now was to die for. I mentally added cooking to one of the many hidden talents he had. I mean mechanics, tattooing, now cooking. He was prime boyfriend material.

        That brought up a good question, which I voiced before I thought better of it.

        “Is your girlfriend okay with you rooming with another girl?”

        His back straightened, and he turned to look at me over his shoulder. “Girlfriend?”

        “You know,” I shifted nervously in my seat. “The blonde barbie that came in to visit you my first day at the shop?” He just stared at me, brow arched. “Her name was a car or something. Porsche or Buick? No, Mercedes!”

        Recognition registered on his face, but all he said was, “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

        “Okay then,” I said, hopping off my stool.

        I strolled into the living room and grabbed my book off the table. I flopped down onto the couch, stretching out. If he doesn’t feel like talking, then I guess I’ll get some book time in. Between working and school, I rarely get time to read anymore. Reading was my favorite past time. I settled onto the couch and began reading, shutting out the noise coming from the kitchen.

        I knocked out a couple chapters by the time he finished dinner and I was a little reluctant to put my book down. It was getting intense and had me all in my feels. Those were my favorite kind of books. The ones that made you feel.

        I walked over to the bar and sat on my stool. When I looked up, Jensen was smiling sweetly at me and I had to resist the urge to suck in a breath. Instead, I cocked my head to the side and smiled.

        “What?”

        “Nothing, luv,” he smiled, sitting a huge plate full of chicken and pasta down in front of me. I eyed him a little longer, but let it go for now.

        “This looks delicious. Thank you.”

        “You’re welcome, luv,” he said, walking around the bar and sitting down beside me.

        I had been thinking about it and I had decided to apologize for prying the first time at Jimmy’s and then again last night. I didn’t want him to think I was nosy or intrusive. I wanted to be a good roommate who had boundaries.

        “I’m sorry,” I blurted, then bite my lip to hold in the word vomit that had almost ensued.

        His fork was almost to his mouth when he lowered it and raised an eyebrow at me. “What’s there to be sorry for, luv?”

        “It’s just… Well, I know ask a lot of questions and I’ve noticed I’ve asked a few that you weren’t comfortable with and I just want you to know that I’m figuring out which ones not to ask, but I wanted to apologize if I made you uncomfortable.” It came out in a rush as I stared down at the counter. I was too embarrassed to look at him.

        He sat his fork onto his plate and reached forward, putting his finger under my chin forcing me to look up at him.

        “Don’t fret, luv. Your questions don’t bother me. There are things I just don’t talk about.”

        I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him and I was hyper aware of how his finger on my chin turned into a hand on my cheek. Without thought I leaned into him my eyes still locked on his. The way he was looking at me was making my entire body heat up. His fingers started slowly stroking my cheek and I couldn’t think of anything that had felt so good.

        The front door banged open and Jensen and I jumped apart. I stared at him wide eyed, unable to look away from him. I knew who had barged in and I didn’t have to look at her to know she had a smirk on her face. Plus, I knew if I looked at her I would just look like a deer caught in headlights. Jensen however leveled a cool stare at her.

        “Hallo, pet. Nice of you to stop by.” He didn’t sound like he thought it was nice at all.

        “Just wanted to check and see how the new roomies were doing and from the looks of it, I’d say it’s going great…” She drew out the last word.

        I finally recovered, only to embarrass myself further. “We’re just having dinner!”

        I wish I could suck the words back in. They sounded defensive and wrong. Saw just smirked at me as she sauntered past us and into the kitchen. She walked to the stove and sniffed, then gestured to the pan.

        “May I?”

        Jensen and I both shrugged and stared down at our plates. I was too embarrassed to look at either of them. This wasn’t how things should be starting for us. The last thing I wanted was for everything to be awkward. There would be no way for this to work if he knew I had a crush on him. It seemed like we were having a lot of shared moments lately and I was afraid I was making them into something more than they were because of the stupid crush. A guy like that couldn’t possible have any interest in a girl like me.

        “Oh!” Saw exclaimed, suddenly. She had moved into the living room and was now sitting on the couch, her now empty plate balanced on her lap. “I just remembered why I came over here.” She stood, walking into the kitchen to put her plate in the sink.

        “And whys that?” Jensen asked, pushing his plate away. It would appear that I wasn’t the only one who pushed at the rest of my food.

        “I set you up on a blind date,” she grinned. I looked to Jensen and watched as his eyes narrowed. Confused, I looked back to Saw and realized she was talking to me.

        “What?” I choked. She couldn’t be serious, but a wicked grin spread across her face and I narrowed my eyes. She was serious, but I could tell she had something up her sleeve.

        “Come on. It will be fun! He’s one of my clients and a total babe. He’s seen you around campus and in the shop and he is totally interested.” She said it to me, but she was watching Jensen and I knew then what she was doing.

        “No,” I said. Jensen whipped his head around to look at me. He looked surprised that I refused, but there wasn’t something else in his expression. Something I couldn’t put my finger on. “I’m not really looking to date right now. You know that.”

        “Please, Frey!” She stuck her bottom lip out, going into full pout mood. “He’s a great guy and I think you guys would really hit it off. If anything he would be a good lay. Plus, I kind of already told him to pick you up tomorrow night. I didn’t expect you to say no.”

        “Saw!” I couldn’t believe she was doing this to me. She still looked at me with those pleading eyes and I have to admit that totally worked. I was such a sucker. “Ugh! Just know I hate you and if this turns out to be a bust then we are no longer friends!”

        She threw her arms around my neck and squealed. “Thank you!” She pulled back and headed for the door. “Thank for supper,” she called as the door closet behind her.

        I groaned, picking up my plate and carrying it into the kitchen. I sat my plate in the sink and turned to look at Jensen. He had his back to me, still facing the living room. He was completely rigid.

        “You okay?” I asked, walking around the bar to stand beside him.

        “Just grand,” he said, his voice sounding weird. His accent was deeper and when he looked up his face was almost unreadable.

        “Can you believe, Saw?” I asked trying to lighten the mood, but his face only grew darker.

        “Yes, luv, I can. Its typical Saw. She’s always forcing someone to do something they aren’t ready to do.” He pushed to his feet, grabbing his plate off the bar and taking it into the kitchen. He dumped it into the sink and stomped out of the kitchen and down the hall. Why was he angry? If anyone should be angry, it should be me. I was so confused.

        “Thanks for dinner,” I called as his bedroom door slammed shut. I shook my head in disbelief and headed into the kitchen to clean up. Some mindless cleaning was exactly what I needed right now.

        Once I finished the kitchen, I went into the living room to grab my book, but I couldn’t seem to concentrate on the pages. I was too keyed up and needed to do something. I looked around trying to figure out what I needed. Watching TV was out, I’d never be able to sit still.

        I pushed to my feet and paced the living room for a minute, then headed for my room. In high school, I used to run to clear my head and it was great to wear me down enough to sleep. It was exactly what I needed right now, and it didn’t matter that it was already after seven at night. I had to get out of here for a while.

        I grabbed my old running sneakers out of my closet and pulled on a pair of workout pants and a light jacket. Shuffling through the crap on my dresser, I found my headphones. I grabbed my phone and headed back into the living room.

        Jensen was sitting on the couch and I tried to ignore him fiddled with my phone and headphones.

        “Where are off too?” He asked.

        “For a run.” I bent forward, touching my toes and when I straightened Jensen was standing right in front of me. “Whoa,” I said, teetering on my heels. He reached a hand out to steady me

        “Alone?” he asked, his voice hard. I could hear the residue anger lingering and I still couldn’t figure out what had made him mad.  

        I nodded and backed up giving myself space to finish my stretches. When I looked up I found the room in front of me empty. I shrugged at nothing and stuffed my headphones into my ears and headed for the door.

        “Wait up!” I heard Jensen call as I was walking out the door. I turned to find him jogging down the hall. He was in basketball shorts and a hoodie. He looked ready for a run.

        “Um, what are you doing?” I asked, pulling a headphone out of my ear.

        “Coming with you,” he said, putting in his own headphones.

        He didn’t wait for me to object or say anything. He walked past me and out the door, pausing at the stairs to see if I was coming. I wanted to object, but I knew that it would be useless. Something told me that no matter what I said I wouldn’t be going on this run alone. So much for me clearing my head. With Jensen beside me the whole run, there was no way I’d be able to think of anything else.

I was dying.

Well, on the inside, at least and I was struggling to keep that fact from showing on the outside. We ran two agonizing miles according to my phone. Jensen had no problems keeping pace and half the time he didn’t even look winded. I didn’t want Jensen to see how out of shape I was, so I pushed myself the entire run to keep up with him and now I was paying the price.

        I was fighting a stitch in my side as we walked back into the apartment. We were barely inside the apartment before I doubled over bracing my hands on my knees trying hard to catch my breath. Jensen leaned against the bar looking like a damn fitness model on the cover of a sports magazine. If I could move I would kick him for being so gorgeous.

        “All right, luv?” He walked over and started rubbing my back.

        His hands on my felt amazing and I wanted him to do more than rub my back. I slammed that thought down and stepped away from him. My hand automatically going to my side.

        “I’m going to take a shower,” I said, breathlessly. It was a miracle I managed to get down the hallway without limping.

        I didn’t waste any time once I was in my room. I limped my way into the bathroom, giving up on pretending like I wasn’t in a crap ton of pain. Once inside the shower, I couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped my lips when the hot water washed over me. My muscles loosened and my body started to relax.

        To my surprise, I managed to get a bit of thinking done while I was on my run despite Jensen going with me. I decided that maybe this blind date wasn’t such a bad idea. Maybe this guy would turn out to be a really decent person and could help me get over whatever I have for Jensen. I needed to get over this stupid crush. I knew there wouldn’t ever be anything between us, so I needed to accept that and move on. This blind date was the best place to start.

        After my shower, I dressed and headed into the living room to fetch my book to do a bit of reading before bed. When I rounded the corner to the living room, I found Jensen lounged across the couch book in hand.

        I paused for a fraction of a second before I forced my body forward. I grabbed my book off the table and turned to go back to my room.

        “Care to join me?” Jensen asked

        When I turned to decline, the look of hopefulness on his face stopped me. He looked like he really wanted my company and his smile was infectious. It would be impossible to refuse.

        “Sure,” I smiled. I didn’t like reading in my room anyway.

        I walked back over to the couch and sat down as he situated himself into a sitting position, his legs stretched out on the coffee table. I squirmed around for trying to find the best position that was comfortable. I usually sat with my feet stretched across the couch, but with Jensen sitting at the other end that wouldn’t be possible now.

        I glanced up when Jensen chuckled.

        “What?” I asked.

        He reached towards me, grabbing my feet and stretching them across his lap. “You could’ve just asked.” He held his book in one hand and massaged one of my feet with the other. It felt amazing, and I hated to admit it, but my feet were aching pretty badly.

        “That feels wonderful,” I sighed, closing my eyes.

        I heard him chuckle, then his other hand joined in. After that I was a goner. The exhaustion settled in and I didn’t try to fight it.