CHAPTER TWELVE

OLIVIA

It’s easy to tell the way Jake sees me has changed these past days. He looks at me now like a man would look at a woman.

I don’t know how to feel about it but it makes me smile and my cheeks turn pink, which he of course teases me about.

It’s even evident in the way he opens the car door for me and waits to make sure I’m comfortable first before closing it.

No one has ever done these things for me, no one has ever made me feel wanted or needed like he does.

When he starts the car it brings me back to our predicament. Jake’s father invited us to his impromptu retirement party.

Jake must have seen my fidgeting hands on my lap because he reaches off and gives it a squeeze, “Don’t worry you’ll be fine, I’ll be your side all evening”.

Somehow that calms my nerves and I flash him a smile. We drive off and hit the road when Jake puts on the radio to some country music.

I scowl at him before changing to a random station. I could endure anything but not country music for any reason. It