Heaven In Hiding

Chapter Ten

"I'd do anything for you."

Lainey POV

My head felt better. The insistent pounding in my temple gone was the first thing I noticed when I woke up. I'm also shocked at how rested I feel. My night was free from bad dreams which was a rare thing. As I sprawled out on my bed I tried to remember how I got there. The day before in bits and pieces not quite fitting together. I got out of bed noticing I was still in my clothes from yesterday minus my shoes and sweater. I made my way to my dresser getting some clothes ready for a shower.

In the shower, I tried to recall the previous day. I remembered going to work and Sue taking me to the hospital. And calling Jacob of course. I would never forget that. After getting the shot of pain medicine, it starts to get hazy. Something about a dance party I think with a frown. Why is that on my mind? I shook my head hoping to free the thought from it. I hope I didn't embarrass myself.

I step out of the shower drying off and getting dressed when I realize I haven't seen Jaye yet today. She usually sleeps at the foot of my bed and waits there when I get ready. I look around for her in my bedroom thinking my thoughts of her will make her somehow appear.

I make my way to the stairs when I hear someone talking downstairs. I immediately freeze up, my heart pounding almost painfully in my chest. Oh no. Has Liam found me? I slowly make my way down the stairs slowly trying to remain hidden. Every step I take knowing it could be leading to my worst nightmare coming true. I continue to hear talking but not paying attention to the words over the sound of my racing heart.

I burst through the doorway of the kitchen expecting to find something awful. Instead I see Jacob in one of my aprons and seemingly scolding Jaye lightly. When I practically run into the room Jacob's gaze shifts to me and the memories flood back. Jacob picking me up at the hospital, taking me home, slow dancing with him at my request, and him tucking me into bed after falling asleep on him.

My face quickly turns red at the rush through my mind. Oh my gosh. Did all that really happen? I feel the urge to run back into my room and hide when his words stop me.

"Hey! You're up! How are you feeling?" He asks with a grin.

"Good. I feel a lot better. What are you doing?" I ask taking in the scene before me. I don't know what to look at first. Jacob standing in my kitchen wearing one of my aprons in front of the stove, Jaye looking at me, a ripped-up package at her paws.

"Great. I'm so glad you're feeling better. We were making you breakfast in bed when Jaye got into the garbage." He said the smile still on his face.

I had a hard time looking at him, still embarrassed of my recovered memories. His smile was doing a good job of distracting me though. I knelt and Jaye ran over jumping into my arms.

"Sorry about Jaye. When she gets a whiff of something she likes she can't let it go."

"I can relate." Jacob says with a wink.

Somehow, though I don't know how, my blush intensified. He turned back to the stove while I sat myself at the table watching him cook. There was something comforting about watching him work. I was so used to spending the mornings alone. Used to my quiet routine. I thought I would be bothered by having someone infiltrate that but instead I found the company refreshing.

"How do you like your eggs?" Jacob asks.

"Scrambled please. Do you need any help?"

"I'm good. Breakfast is one of the few things I can cook." Jacob says with a laugh.

I get up and set the table. Feeling guilty just sitting there doing nothing. Years with Liam making me feel bad when I didn't help, even when someone is doing something to be kind.

When I was done setting the table Jacob finished cooking putting a generous amount of eggs and bacon on both of our plates and hung the apron back on the hook.

I dig into the food and am surprised at how good it is. "This is really good." I say feeling appreciative. I don't even remember the last time someone had cooked for me.

"Thanks! I can't cook much besides breakfast foods though. I'm pretty spoiled by Emily." He says.

I feel a pang in my heart at his words. Of course, he's taken. There's no way someone like Jacob could be single. And why do I care? I'm supposed to be avoiding him, not having breakfast with him. I'm confused at the turn of events and my feelings for him. It's as if the more I ignored him the more my feelings for him grew at an alarming speed.

"So, have you and Emily been together long?" I ask trying to sound casual.

Jacob looks at me startled. "What? No! She's like a sister to me. She's married to my friend actually."

I'm annoyed with myself for the relief I feel at his words.

"Oh! That's great. I mean, it's not great you're not married. I – I meant I'm happy for them…. Yeah." I say turning my gaze back to my food after I see Jacobs lips twitch, fighting a smile. I can't even blame him. I sound like a fool.

"Thanks for taking care of me yesterday." I say after a minute of silence as we eat our food.

"No problem. Thanks for calling me." He says.

I wish I could articulate how much it meant to me how he helped me. How he cared for me when I was vulnerable, asking nothing in return. No one has ever done that for me and it just shows how good of a person Jacob really is. I feel blessed for all he did for me and I wish I could express how I felt.

I'm about to thank him again when he interrupts my thoughts.

"Besides, it was fun dancing with you. I haven't danced like that in a long time." He says.

"Sorry about that. I feel bad I made you do that." I say the blush returning to my cheeks once again.

"Don't apologize. I would have danced all night if you asked me too." He says.

His words are so sincere that I'm caught off guard and the question pops out of my mouth before I can stop it.

"Why?" I ask.

He leans forward in his chair and looks me in the eyes.

"I'd do anything for you." He answers.

In that moment, I've never been happier about my decision to call Jacob and grateful for a migraine.

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The rest of the meal I keeps my eyes fixed to my plate as light conversation fills the air. When we're both done eating I collect the dishes as Jacob lets Jaye out. I start doing the dishes by hand, ignoring the empty dishwasher feeling I need to burn off this excited energy that is running through me. His words still circling my mind. I also can't believe how relaxed I feel around him. If it was anyone else in my house alone with me I might just die from the fright. But with it being Jacob I was almost completely at ease. It's amazing what someone's presence can do in such a small amount of time.

"Need some help?" I hear him ask from behind me.

"That's okay. You cooked I can clean." I say.

"At least let me help dry the dishes." He says. Before I can protest his hands are grabbing the clean dishes.

We work in comfortable silence for a few moments before he speaks.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." I say.

"Why did you ignore me? Did I do something wrong?" He asks.

I freeze at his question. I don't know how to explain without revealing everything and even though I'm starting to like Jacob, I can't risk telling him.

"Maybe I'm wrong but it just seemed like you were ignoring me and I'm not sure why." He says.

"I was. I was ignoring you." I say somewhat fearfully. I don't want to make him mad but I can't lie to him either.

He takes a big sigh. "Oh."

"I'm sorry." I reply quickly.

"Why were you ignoring me?" He asks sounding sad.

I can't stand the sadness in his voice so I try to explain myself carefully.

"I'm just not used to having people in my life. Not for a long time now and you scare me." I say.

"I scare you?" He asks part confused and part horrified.

"It's just how you are that scares me. Your so… sincere and kind. I don't really know how to react to that." I answer taking a look at him.

He still looks sad but there's also a look of determination on his face.

"I'm sorry if I scare you sometimes. I want you to know I want to be your friend. I'll do anything I can to prove to you that you can trust me and I'll wait as long as you need." Jacob says.

I think over his words carefully as I finish the last of the dishes. I settled down here so I can try to make a normal life. Normal lives usually include friends, don't they? While I know it will be tough would it be so bad to have a friend? Especially one like Jacob?

"Okay." I say making up my mind.

"What?" He asks and it's then I realize how long I've been arguing with myself.

"We… We can try to be friends." I say.

"Really!" He says excitedly as if I gave him the best gift in the world.

"You're going to regret this. I'm probably a terrible friend." I say and even I can hear the doubt in my voice.

"Never." He says with the widest grin.

After the dishes are all put away I walk Jacob to the door.

"So, what are you doing tonight friend?" He asks putting on his shoes.

"I'm just going to rest." I say.

"Oh, that's probably best." He says but I can hear the disappointment in his voice.

"I'm going plant shopping tomorrow if you want to come. I'm sure it's really boring -."

"I'll be there." Want me to pick you up?" He asks the grin once again on his face.

"I'll meet you there. I'll text you the address." I say.

"Great. Goodbye Lainey."

"Goodbye Jacob."

I shut the door and throw myself on the couch. I hope I didn't just make a huge mistake. The worry starts to creep up but the image of Jacobs giant grin keeps it at bay. How could this be wrong when I made him so happy. And myself, I quietly admit with a small smile. I just hope I was a good enough friend. For Jacobs sake. He deserved it.

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Authors Note:

Hello! Thanks for reading this chapter and all of the love this story has been shown. I'm so honored someone would even read this story let alone review it, favorite it, and bookmark it. Thank you all so much. I know this chapter wasn't the longest but I feel a lot was accomplished and I hope you agree. Chapter 11 will be released on July 14th, 2017. Thanks so much!