To be honest, I tried. I tried to take my head off the fact that I'm waiting for Jake, I started having different thoughts, what if he had changed of plan? What is he had an accident on his way?
I was still pacing the passway like a cat in heat, checking the time every thirty seconds, when the knock came again.
My heart somersaulted.
This time, this had to be him.
I didn't even check through the peephole—I flung the door open, radiant and ready to dazzle.
"Good afternoon, it's..."
But it wasn't Jake. I stopped halfway in my rehearsed speech for Jake.
It was Javier. Again. I'm sure he noticed my disappointment again.
Holding a small box of gardening tools with a sheepish smile.
I stared at him like he'd just slapped me with a tulip.
"Oh hey," he said, oblivious to the storm brewing behind my polite face. "Almost forgot—these are your clippers and that mini rake thing you lent me last week. Figured I should return them before I forget again."
I blinked. My eyes travelled to the tools. Then back to him. Then to the driveway—still empty.
"Thanks," I said, with the enthusiasm of a dying flower.
I took the box and gave him a tight, barely-there smile. My left eye may have twitched. I couldn't be sure.
"You okay?" he asked, stepping back slightly. "You seem… tense."
Tense?
"You seem expecting... Are you expecting a guest?
No, Javier.
I'm just dressed like a Maxim model, smelling like vanilla dreams and heartbreak, hoping for a man who isn't you. That's all.
"I'm great, not tensed," I snapped, still smiling. "Just… busy. And yes, Anne's expecting a visitor"
He nodded slowly, clearly picking up on the sharp tone. "Alright, alright. No need to bite. I'll get going."
"Please do."
He gave me a last look and turned to walk back toward the backyard. He stopped for and hesitates, I'm pretty sure he wanted to tell me something, but fought with himself.
The second he was out of earshot, I muttered under my breath, "Damn gardener and his stupid tools…"
I closed the door and leaned against it, groaning into my hands. "God, if this is a joke, I swear I'm not laughing…"
I barely made it five steps back toward the kitchen when I heard it. I didn't want to conclude yet because I've already been disappointed twice and I'm not ready to face that hurt the third time.
A low, powerful hum. The purr of an engine.
Not a delivery van.
Not Javier's truck.
No. This was something else. Sleek. Clean. Sexy.
I bolted to the window like a lunatic.
There it was.
A black Mercedes AMG slid smoothly into the driveway like it belonged there. It gleamed under the sun, windows slightly tinted, wheels shining like the gates of heaven just opened. The engine cut off.
My breath caught.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…"
I didn't blink. Not once. I lost my stamina, I lost my cool. I lost and forgot everything I rehearsed.
And there he was.
Jake.
Tall. Broad. In a black leather jacket over a tight white tee, sleeves hugging his biceps like they were custom made for sin. Dark jeans. Aviator sunglasses.
He stepped out like he'd been summoned from my imagination.
I couldn't breathe.
Then the passenger door opened—and his friend stepped out.
I didn't know whether to scream, faint, or thank God.
He was just as hot. Maybe hotter. Not maybe , he was actually hotter. Darker skin, chiselled jawline, tattoos peeking from under his rolled-up sleeves. He adjusted his watch and said something to Jake that made them both laugh.
And oh God—Jake's smile. It could melt Antarctica.
I actually clutched the wall for support.
Was this real? Was this really happening?
Was I… was I drooling?
I wiped my lip, panicked. "Don't be gross, Sidney. Not now. Get it together!"
They were walking up the path now. Jake's steps confident, calm, like he owned time itself. His friend followed, casual and cool, with a strut that could sell cologne.
I turned from the window and screamed into a cushion. Quietly. So no one heard.
Then I ran to the mirror for a final check.
My curls were still in place. Lip gloss? Shining. Boobs? Front and center. Perfume? Still lingering.
I was a vision.
Now if I could just stop shaking.
I adjusted the straps of my dress, took one deep breath, and walked to the door.
Smooth. Graceful.
Inside?
Full mental breakdown.
My hands hovered over the doorknob.
They were right outside now. I could hear their voices. Jake laughed again—deep and sexy—and I swear my soul left my body.
"This is it," I whispered. "This is the moment you become legend."
The door flung open as soon as I tried to open it and I stumbled and almost fell but he caught me.
I was still trying to recover from the fall, the smell of his cologne was heavenly. I wanted to stay in his arm forever.
"Are you okay?"
That voice, very enchanting. Very demure but it wasn't Jake's. I would recognise Jake's voice anywhere even in my dreams.
I snapped out of my delusions immediately.
"I'm sorry, I tripped ..." as I looked up, to complete my statement, I saw him it wasn't Jake, it was his friend but... He was divine.
He adjusted his watch and said something to Jake that made them both laugh. I didn't understand it, it was like a coded language.
Jake lowered his sunglasses, eyes meeting mine—and for a second, I forgot my name. My country. My blood type.
"Hey, Sidney," he said, flashing that slow, dangerous smile.
"Hi," I croaked.
Just… "hi."
That was all I managed, because my brain had left the building.
He looked me up and down—slowly. His gaze lingered just long enough to make my skin burn. "You look… wow."
His friend smirked beside him. "She sure does."
I could've kissed them both right there.
But I didn't. Because I'm classy.
"Come in," I said, my voice suddenly a few octaves higher than normal. "Please."
Jake stepped in first, bringing with him the scent of cologne and masculinity. His friend followed, giving me a wink that made my knees go soft.
And just like that, they were inside.
And my night had officially begun.