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Ch9:Separation declares War

Leah was feeling better when she left Angela's but that happy feeling didn't last very long. The moment she pulled up in front of Distinct Creations, her stomach twisted into a knot. Seeing her floral shop reminded her that she just might lose what had been a dream come true, if Paul decided to take it from her in the divorce.

His money had allowed her to open the store, and she dreaded the idea of losing it. Especially to a man who would most likely sell it possibly just to spite her.

Leah put that thought out of her mind as she entered and instead concentrated on getting to work. The Mother's Day weekend was approaching, one of the busiest times of the year for a florist.

Leah had arrived later than she had planned after spending a good hour talking with Angela. So she was surprised that Brady wasn't there yet. At ten minutes to ten he was clearly running late too.

Leah quickly got to work checking the logbook for orders that were due to be picked up and making sure they were all in the fridge. When the door chimes sounded several minutes later Leah expected it to be Brady.

"I'm back here B will you turn the Open sign on?" Leah had a neon sign in the window that indicated to the world the shop was open and it had to be ten already.

"Actually I'm here to place an order." The sound of the deep voice so clearly not Brady's had Leah whirling around and throwing a hand to her chest.

Her heart nearly imploded when she saw that she was staring at the dark brown eyes she had seen so many times in her fantasies.

Oh, shit.

"I'm sorry," the man said placing his hands up. He wasn't an apparition. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Uh…" Her breathing had gone from normal to heavy in an instant. "I'm sorry I thought you were someone else."

"You are open right?" he glanced at his watch. "It's ten... a minute after actually."

"Yes. Yes, I'm open." Leah wiped her suddenly damp palms on her black slacks. "How may I help you?"

Now that she had a good look at him she could see that his dark brown eyes weren't that dark at all. They were a milk chocolate brown that gave an illusion of being dark. The stranger smiled. The kind of smile that was warm and sexy all in one. He wasn't the same man he had been that day in February. The worry in his eyes was gone, the burden lifted from his shoulders. His hair was definitely longer than she remembered placed in a fohawk she never had found sexy until then.

And he was here today of all days.

It's fate, Leah thought and she believed it.

"It's Mother's Day on Sunday," the man said. "My mother just conquered breast cancer."

"Oh, that's wonderful."

"Yeah. Yeah it is. Officially she's in remission but we're hoping for the best. I'd like to order her something spectacular. Something that shows how happy I am that she won the fight and how proud I am that she's my mother."

His words touched Leah. Almost made her want to cry. She was thinking of her own mom, how she hadn't inspired that kind of pride.

"Aren't you the thoughtful son," Leah noticed that he hadn't taken his eyes off her since she had looked up at him.

"I've only got one mother and she means the world to me." He grinned a bright white smile that could have been blinding in certain circumstances.

"As she should," Leah smiled.

Were they flirting?

The door chimed again and and in rushed Brady. "Sorry," he mumbled. He carried a tray with two large coffees.

Leah hardly cared that he was late. Her phantom lover was standing right in front of her and he still made her pulse race.

The timing… this wasn't an accident.

"So," Leah took a deep breath. "How big is your budget?"

"My budget is limitless. Within reason." He added with a wink.

That smile again. And this time she knew it wasn't a casual I'm-being-nice smile.

It was a smile just for her.

Her stomach fluttered and she found herself doing something that shocked her, easing her left hand behind her back so that she could hide her wedding bands. Wedding bands she had forgotten to take off.

Was she interested or just interested in flirting?

Hell yeah, she was interested. She wanted to experience the reality of what it was like to feel this man's hands and mouth on her. Would it be as amazing as in her fantasies?

"Miss?" he prompted.

Leah jerked her gaze to his, lucky that her skin was tanned enough that he couldn't see her blush. "I'll come up with something special," Leah told him. "Do you want flowers only or a foil balloon added to the arrangement? And I assume you want big."

He raised his hand scratching the stubble on his jaw as he answered. "Whatever you think is best, big definitely. As to what kind of flowers and all that I leave it in your hands."

Leah was already picturing something with pink roses. Pink was the color associated with the fight against breast cancer. A stunning arrangement full of pink roses, maybe with some Peruvian lilies and some colorful mokara orchids. A crystal case as opposed to a basket.

"Does she like chocolate?" Leah asked. "I could add a small box of Godiva chocolates. Nothing that would ruin any particular diet she might be on."

"My mother would be the first to tell you to make it a big box." His eyes stayed connected with hers.

"All right then," Leah angled her head and smiled coyly, her left hand remained behind her back. "You won't be disappointed."

Shit, she was flirting.

Maybe it was just a way to keep her mind off her problems. Whatever it was it felt good.

No that wasn't it. She had already fucked this man in her mind. More than once. Her body was tingling with desire—a reaction she didn't understand, because she'd never experienced it before. But she wanted to make her fantasies a reality.

Leah was driven for the first time in her life by carnal need.

She didn't think, no it's too soon to think about really fucking him. She didn't think, How could you even consider something like that?

Because let's face it—she had had thought these thoughts for over three months now.

But he was here about business and fantasies aside Leah had to keep that in perspective. So she glanced away. Took a break from his hypnotic gaze.

After a moment, she faced him again. "I know you said money isn't an object but give me a limit."

The man pursed his lips and looked upward as he thought about his answer. Leah's own eyes went to the vee of his neck and lower—to the section of his chest that was evident beneath his partially unbuttoned dress shirt.

She had a wicked image of her trailing her tongue across his skin…

"Can I get something for two hundred?"

Leah jerked her gaze to her left hoping to hell he hadn't caught her checking him out. "Sure." Her body felt on fire. "Two hundred will be more than enough, not that it will even cost that much but at least I know what your budget is."

"When will it be ready?" his eyes moved from her lips back to her eyes.

Leah stopped the gasp that wanted to escape at his intense gaze when she asked. "When do you want to pick it up?"

"Sunday is fine, oh wait." His jaw tensed. "Your sign said you're closed on Sundays."

"Because it's Mother's Day I'm making an exception I'll be here from ten to two." Leah smiled and watched the smile return to his face.

"Is noon a good time to come by?"

"No problem."

Again he stared at her and she at him—as though they both wanted to say something else. Something that had nothing to do with business.

He finally broke the silence. "I'm Jacob."

He extended his right hand and Leah grasped it. An electrical charge shot up her arm. "Leah."

"I came in before," Jacob said pausing before he added. "A few months ago."

"I remember you," Leah told him—as if she hadn't imagined his mouth and hands all over her body since that meeting. Leah released his palm whish she had held just a little too long.

"My mother was in the hospital then and I… I didn't know how it was going to go. I was kind of a mess that day I came in here." He gave her a sheepish smile as he scratched the back of his neck.

"That's understandable. I can only imagine how stressful that was."

"But those dark days are over."

Leah wondered if he would have come back before—if not for what his mother was going through. If he had felt the same inexplicable connection she had.

"So do you want me to pay now?"'

"A deposit yes. And let me take down your number. A way to reach you if by any chance you don't show up." Leah nodded slowly.

The sexiest smirk came into his face as he continued to look at her. "Oh… I will definitely be back."

Leah's heart pounded a little harder. Was she reading into it or was there another meaning to his words than the obvious?

"Well," Leah cleared her throat. "If you'll come to the counter, I can take your deposit and your information."

Leah noticed Brady was regarding her curiously. Leah ignored him as she opened the order book to write down Jacob's name and phone number.

"If you want I can add you to our mailing list," Leah said. "Send you news of specials and such."

Behind him Leah saw Brady playfully roll his eyes.

"Why not?" Jake put one his hands in the front of his jean pockets.

"In that case why don't you fill out this card." Leah handed him a black address form and a pen. "Later I'll add you to the mailing list."

"Sounds good."

While he filled out the card, Leah caught Brady making suggestive expressions in the background: pretending to swoon, fluttering his eye lashes, waving at her with his hand under his chin, making kissing faces. Leah didn't know if he was simply checking Jacob out or teasing her for her flirtation.

When Jacob passed Leah the completed address card, Leah handed him a business card. "So I'll see you Sunday at noon?"

He took the card and looked at it briefly before meeting her gaze again. "Thank you, Leah, I'll see you Sunday at noon."

Leah didn't realize that she was standing motionless watching Jacob walk away until Brady came up beside her.

"Mmmm-mmm-mmm. Damn that right there is one sexy man. He could definitely get it."

Leah turned to look at him giving him a lopsided grin. "He's straight B."

"Oh, I know that honey. He was looking you up and down like you were a hot buttered biscuit." Brady raised his eyebrows suggestively then gave her that curious look again.

"What?" Leah asked feeling as though he could see right through her.

"Other than the fact that there's something you're not telling me?" he scrunched up his face.

Brady, like Angela, was one of her best friends. The kind Leah could trust completely. She'd met him when he'd come into her shop looking for a job, shortly after she'd opened the new location in Forks. Despite having no experience in the field, he'd seen her Help Wanted sign in the window and had been willing to learn. And more importantly, he'd been desperate for a job. Caius, his partner of two years, had kicked him out of his house leaving Brady destitute. Knowing a thing or two about what it was like to need a break Leah had hired him on the spot.

Over the course of the last three years, he'd become one of her closest friends. The kind you couldn't keep anything from.

"You know me too well." Leah said in response to his comment.

"Well?" He planted his hands on his hips as he stared at her. "Are you going to tell me?"

The buzz she'd felt at seeing Jacob again faded as grim reality came to the forefront of her mind. Sighing Leah said, "I'm leaving Paul."

Leah steeled herself and waited for Brady to say, "What took you so damn long?" But instead he put a hand on her back and asked. "How are you feeling doll-face?"

Leah's shoulders sagged as if the weight of the would had been lifted from them. "I… I don't know. My emotions have been haywire."

"You know I never felt Paul was right for you," Brady said gently. "But that couldn't have been an easy decision."

He had never made his feelings about her marriage a secret. He'd never expressed anything negative about Paul as a person, but Brady did feel that her husband had a lot of issues and that someone like her didn't realistically have a future with a man who couldn't keep up with her. Leah had respected his honesty. She knew other people in her circle held that same view but would never dare express their true opinion.

But given Angela's comment earlier, that she thought Leah was a different person when Paul was around, Leah wondered if there was more to Brady's opinion about her marriage other than the dysfunction factor.

Brady squeezed her hand. "It's for the best."

"Why do you say that?"

"You know I always thought Paul was hot headed and controlling. You guys hardly have anything in common. He's in the winter of his life and you're still enjoying the summer. At least you should be." He gave her a pointed look. "And this whole talk about you wanting a baby… I just don't see you having a child with a man who's still raising his children from previous marriages and treating you like a child too."

Leah opened her mouth but Brady shot a finger up, silencing her before she could speak.

"But the real reason I knew this day would come has nothing to do with children. You wouldn't be the first person to have a baby with a man with so many issues. It might not be ideal but it wouldn't be the end of the world."

Leah poked him on the arm, "Let's hear your insight."

Brady fixed a button on his gray cardigan as he said. "Deep inside you, I know there's a vibrant and exciting person. But I think being with Paul has killed that individual."

"I'm not vibrant and exciting?" Leah nudged him as she said the words with a smile.

"You were vibrant while you were flirting with that hottie." Brady said dreamily. "And before you say anything you were definitely flirting. You can't convince me otherwise. And guess what? I approve."

"He is very cute." Leah hummed after she said that.

"That he is."

Again Leah thought about the timing of Jacob's return to her store. She didn't typically believe in fate but in this case she felt it was at play.

"You don't even know what Paul did," Leah said getting back to the unpleasant topic of her husband. "He lied to me B. All this time I've been trying to get pregnant and he… he had a vasectomy." Leah finished painfully.

"Oh. My. God."

"Yeah." Leah felt her anger return, she hated her roller coaster of emotions but it was definitely better than crying.

"Oh baby." Brady put his arms around her and gave her a warm hug. "I'm so sorry."

Leah pulled out of Brady's embrace. "I knew something was wrong that something was off between us. But I never expected that."

"I've heard some devious things in my time but that's just wrong. That's evil."

Leah nodded. "So here I am about to start over."

"But you'll be okay," Brady told her. "I already saw a different you when you were flirting. A spark I can't say I've seen before. That's what I meant when I said I know there's a vibrant and exciting person inside you waiting to come out. Someone you can't be with Paul."

"Meaning?"

"All I ever hear you say when you're with him is 'Yes Dear. No, Dear. Sure, Paul.' When you're with him you were lost." He gestured to her face and upper body talking with his hands as he often did. "It's like you're this beautiful butterfly who doesn't know how to fly. Or a bird that's had her winds clipped."

Leah clasped her fingers together and held them in front of her face.

"Was that harsh doll-face? I'm sorry."

"No." Leah shook her head. "Angela pretty much said the same thing. Almost verbatim."

Brady shrugged as if to say he wasn't surprised.

"Then I'll ask you what I asked Angela. Why did you never mention this before?"

"Girl, part of being smart is knowing when to bite your tongue. You think I wanted you going home to Paul sharing my thoughts with him? Or throwing out my observations when you two were having a fight? Whatever decision you were going to come to you needed to come to on your own."

Exactly what Angela said.

Brady started toward the fridges. "Besides, Paul isn't a man you want on your bad side."

"Wait a minute," Leah followed him. "Why would you say that?"

Brady opened a fridge door. "He's rich, powerful, and he ran a successful Fortune 500 company. He was used to telling people what to do. Used to getting his own way. Probably had to be a little ruthless in the boardroom. You think I wanted him hearing I was saying he wasn't the man for you? He'd probably force you to get rid of me. And you know this job means the world to me."

"As if I'd ever get rid of you. Paul has no say over the running of this store. Sure, he bought it got me but he stays out of the day to day operations."

"That's gonna change," Brady turned back to the fridge.

Leah placed a hand on his arm, and he once again met her gaze. "What do you mean?"

"Because Paul's used to being ruthless, used to being in control," he said, echoing his earlier comments. "He's not going to be happy that you're leaving him."

"He's been through two divorces already." Leah held up two fingers.

"And he hates his exes. You've told me that." Brady pushed her hand down pointing at her.

It was true. Paul had nothing good to say about his ex wives. He maintained some civility with them because of the children they shared but if he never had to see them again it would be too soon.

"He can hate me if he wants," Leah shrugged. "I hate him for what he did to me."

"In all seriousness talk to a lawyer right away. You married into his fortune. I wouldn't put it past him to take it all away from you."

"I don't want it." Leah said stubbornly.

"You say that now but you're going to need to live. And you're entitled to something after all the shit he put you through." Brady gave her a knowing look.

"All I want is this store." Brady made a face at her words. "And I suppose that some support would be in order. But I'm not going to go crazy and ask for thousands a month or a multimillion dollar settlement."

Brady rolled his eyes scoffing . "I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that. Paul's going to be looking out for numero uno, and you need to do that too. Take it from me. I know how vindictive a person can get when a relationship ends. What Caius did to me…the way he threw me out of his place and left me without a penny to my name… and I had no legal recourse."

He'd had no legal way out because he'd been in a same sex relationship in a highly conservative state.

"I know Paul will be hurt, possibly angry, that I'm leaving him. But I was his wife for almost half a decade. Even if he did try to completely screw me over the way Caius did you the law wouldn't allow it."

Brady's expression said he knew better. "Talk to a lawyer doll-face. And get ready for a battle. Because when two people split, it's often war."

Shortly after two o clock Leah left Brady, Lauren and Rosalie at the store and went out for lunch. Leah wanted some time alone and wasn't interested in any chitchat. Leah drove to a pita shop about ten minutes away, picked up a chicken pita and ate it in her SUV at the back of the parking lot.

Her thoughts were on Jacob. She wanted to get to know him. Whether that would land them in bed or in a relationship time would tell. All she knew right now was that she wanted to experience with him in real life all that she had experienced with him in her dreams.

Leah thought of the electrical charge she'd felt this morning when he'd shaken her hand. Of the way his eyes heated her body.

And suddenly she was aroused. What was it about this man that her thinking about hot sex every time he entered her mind?

She wasn't this woman. This woman she was becoming who was driven by sexual needs.

At least she hadn't been.

But she was enjoying the feeling this man was bringing out of her—and she barely knew him.

Right there at the back of the parking out of view of anyone, Leah eased her skirt up and slipped her hand into her panties. She stroked her clit. Up and down. Up and down. And imagined Jacob's tongue flicking over her nipple. Imagined his teeth grazing her breast. Imagined him pushing his fingers deep inside her.

Heat enveloped her body. She was wet, breathing shallow. She wanted to come. Needed to come. She thought about her legs spread wide, exposing herself to Jacob. She thought of him sucking her clit so damn sweetly. Thought of him spreading her folds and thrusting his tongue deep inside her.

He ate her like a man starved groaning lustfully as he drank her nectar. His fingers and his tongue stroked her, heated her, fulfilled her in a way that made her absolutely crazy.

The pressure built inside her, a rising crescendo. And as she thought of those beautiful brown eyes staring deeply into hers from between her legs, she came.

For several seconds she sat still in her car, her hand between her legs as she rode the wave of her orgasm. Panting, she glanced around, saw that no one was around her. Even if there was someone they wouldn't be able to see what she'd been doing behind tinted windows.

But she knew what she'd been doing—something she had never done before. Something she never would have imagined doing in her wildest dreams.

Was she losing her mind?

She should have been embarrassed, felt some level of shame. But she didn't. Because she was discovering a part of herself she had repressed for far too long.

And she was liking it.

Leah went back home after work to get some clothes. Paul wasn't there, which was a huge relief. She didn't want to run into him. If she could move on with her life and never see him again, she would be only too happy.

Leah threw herself into work for the rest of the week putting particular attention into the arrangement for Jacob's mother. Thinking about seeing him on Sunday gave her something positive to look forward to. When the reality of her life crept into her brain in the middle of the night she thought about Jacob.

Nights were quiet time and in quiet times, she couldn't block out her reality with work.

The same was true on Saturday night.

She lay awake in Angela's spare bedroom thinking again about the nights she had slept in Paul's bed. So often, he would sleep with his back to her. There was something symbolic about that. Something she should have realized at the time but didn't.

Did Paul ever love me? Or was I simply a young beautiful wife he could be proud to have on his arm? One he had recognized was broken enough that he would be able to control her?

Leah didn't want to think about the answer to that question. She didn't want to believe that her whole life with him had been a lie.

Jacob wouldn't be the kind of guy to lie in bed with his wife and sleep with his back to her, Leah thought.

What was it about Jacob that intrigued her? He was a stranger, and yet there was something about him that spoke to her, though she wasn't sure what. A primal need? Something else?

She slipped her hand beneath the waist of her pajamas, pushed it lower to her center. Let her fingers gently rest in between her legs. Almost every time she thought of Jacob she felt a rise of desire.

She swirled her middle finer lazily around her clit from outside the lace stroking the embers of her desire making herself wet.

But this time after she came there was a sense of emptiness. As much as she enjoyed fantasizing about Jacob her fantasies were no longer enough.

She wanted the real thing.

Eleven fifty-three.

Leah glanced at the clock for the gazillionth time that morning. Even though Jacob has said he would be coming at noon, each time the door chimes she looked up in anticipation.

But now the time was getting close and her heart was on overdrive as she waited for him to appear.

The door chimes sang again. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she hurried from the fridge area toward the front of the store. Lauren was walking toward her no doubt about to pick up an arrangement from the fridge for another customer.

"Claire's not back yet?" Leah asked.

"No. She has been gone awhile hasn't she?" Lauren looked a bit worried.

Since the shop was normally closed on Sundays except for special occasions like Mother's Day, her deliveryman had the day off. Claire was playing the role of driver with the company van today, for the one delivery she had scheduled, for a Jewish wedding.

"She's probably helping the family set up the flowers in the synagogue," Leah commented certain that was the case.

Leah went to the door, hoping to see Jacob. Disappointment hit her like a punch in the chest when she saw one of her other customers there.

"Good morning Seth," Leah said warmly. He was a real estate agent who gave her a lot of business. Whenever his clients purchased a home, he had a floral arrangement delivered to the house as a personal touch.

He was also gay and Leah always thought he'd be a good match for Brady. If Brady would ever dare give his heart to another man.

"Morning Leah."

"I'll get your flowers."

Leah went to the fridge and withdrew the festive bouquet Brady had made. The yellow daisies, red carnations and pink asters were radiant in a gold colored basket. She'd had Brady make on for Angela too which Leah would surprise her with later.

She was almost a mother and Leah wanted to celebrate that.

"Lovely," Seth said as Leah carried the bouquet to the front of the store. "My mother will be very happy."

"I'm sure she will be." The bouquet was wrapped in cellophane. It made it easier to carry to the car and minimized any damage during transport. "And you've already paid for your order in full so you're good to go." Leah handed Seth the bouquet.

"You outdid yourself Leah."

Leah was tempted to tell him that Brady was behind the creation but refrained. There was no point trying to play matchmaker until Brady was ready to let his guard down.

So Leah simply said. "You're welcome." And then Leah stepped ahead of Seth to the door but it opened before she could get there.

And in he walked.

Jacob.

Her heart slammed against her rib cage. She stood, pretty much dumbfounded her eyes drinking in the sexy sight of him.

Jacob held the door open and Seth exited. "Thanks again Leah," he called over his shoulder.

Jacob let the door swing shut. And then he faced her his striking brown eyes locking with hers.

Way too sexy, Leah couldn't help thinking. So damn delicious.

"Hello Leah."

"Afternoon." Leah hoped her thoughts weren't evident on her face. Then again, maybe that was exactly what she wanted. She wanted Jacob to know how much she desired him.

"How are you?" Leah asked.

"I'm good thanks. You?"

"Good," Leah replied nodding. A few moments of silence ensued and Leah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I suppose the bouquet for my mother is ready?" he asked at last.

"It is." Shit, why couldn't she think of anything intelligent to say? "Let me go back and get it."

Leah went to the fridge and held the door open with her hip. "It's pretty big," she called out as she gingerly lifted the vase. "I hope you like it."

The bouquet was large and blocked her view so she had to angle her head to the side as she carried it to the front of the store.

"Wow," Jacob's face lit up as he saw it. "That's huge."

"It's one of the best I've ever made," she said proudly as she gently set it on the front counter. And it was. She had placed each blossom with care. "I figured it was fitting to create an arrangement with pink roses and lilies, adding a splash of color with mokara orchids. They're the ones shaped like starfish. Yellow and orange and bright warm tones that signify the bright days to come."

"That's nice you put a lot of thought into it. I appreciate that."

"The story you told me about your mother was inspiring. I wanted to create a bouquet that celebrated that story."

"Thank you."

"I decided against the balloons at least as part of the arrangement. It wouldn't look right. But I have an array right here." Leah indicated the carious helium balloons that were prearranged for Mother's Day.

"This is nice," Jacob pointed to a large metallic one with Happy Mother's Day written on it in a cursive font. Pink and gold latex balloons filled out the tall arrangement. "I'll take this as well."

"Everything's wrapped in cellophane to keep it in place, but you can see the Godiva chocolates in front." Leah pointed to the box which she had wrapped in gold foil and tied with an elegant cream colored ribbon.

"I can't thank you enough." Jacob said. "How much do I owe you?"

Leah added the balloon cluster to the tally and gave Jacob the total price. He passed her two one hundred dollar bills.

"Keep the change." He told her.

"But that's over a thirty dollar tip."

"No other florist would have gone to the lengths you did to make this bouquet so personal and meaningful."

Leah was humbled and touched. "I'm glad you like it."

"Let me take the flowers to the car," Jacob said. "Then I'll come back for the balloons."

"I'll get the door for you," Leah hustled past him.

As Jacob went outside, Leah headed back to the counter. It wasn't a windy day but she wrapped the balloon in a bag nonetheless to protect them.

He came back inside just as she finished securing the arrangement. "And here you go," she told him.

"I can't thank you enough beau—uh Leah." He scratched his jaw.

Leah smiled catching that he might have just called her beautiful. "It was my pleasure."

A few beats passed and she grinned at him for lack of anything better to do. She wanted to tell him that she would love to see him again but she couldn't find the courage. It was one thing to be bold with him in her mind but being bold in real life was another thing altogether.

Jacob went to the door and she watched him leave. he made his way to a while Buick Enclave opened the back door and put the balloon bouquet inside.

Leah watched and waited for him to look back.

But he didn't, he opened the front door and got into the car.

Her happiness dissolved, just like that. Her stomach twisted and she felt sick with disappointment.

What had she been expecting? For him to sweep her into his arms and kiss her?

She returned to the counter sighing as she did. She had been so looking forward to seeing him again. He had represented hope for her she guessed. Hope that was now deflated.

Trying to hide her emotions from Lauren Leah looked down at her order book and put check marks beside Seth's and Jacob's names.

The door chimes sounded Leah whipped her head up as Claire rushed in.

"God talk about a nightmare." She ran her hands through her layered brown hair. "The traffic to the other part of Forks was brutal even on a Sunday."

"Forks?" Leah said certain Claire had misspoken.

"Why didn't you tell me that the location for the delivery had changed? I was a good five minutes in the wrong direction when I got the call from the bride's father." Claire frowned.

"Bride's father," Now Leah was alarmed. "No one told me there was a change in location." Leah tensed. "Mr. Gerandy signed for the delivery?"

"Actually…" Claire looked to the left confusion marring her face.

"Actually what?" Leah squinted as if that would help her see better.

"Um someone said the family was going to be late getting to the synagogue, but to leave the flowers."

"Someone had to have signed for the delivery," Leah said. "That's company policy."

"Someone did sign but… now that I think of it, he seemed a bit confused." Claire tapped her chin.

"What does that mean?" Sensing a major problem now Leah was getting anxious.

"He was… a janitor, I think. I told him about the wedding and he seemed not to know what I was talking about. But he signed for the delivery anyway."

"Oh fuck," Leah muttered. Paul.

"Leah?" Claire said but Leah was already heading to the phone.

Leah called Mr. Gerandy who said he was just about to phone her. He wondered why the delivery hadn't yet arrived.

Leah hung up cursing. "There was no change in location." Leah told Claire.

"What? But her father called! I was driving and he phoned the company cell. He said he was sorry for the mix up and last minute change and gave me the new address and everything!" Claire threw up her hands up in the air.

"Well the Gerandys are at the synagogue in Port Angeles wondering where the flowers are. You need to head back wherever you went immediately and pick up the arrangements. You've got about two hours before the wedding starts. Damn it!"

Claire jumped.

"Now!" Leah snapped though she wasn't angry with her.

She was pissed with Paul. He was behind this.

He knew Judge Gerandy was going to his daughter's wedding. He had left her a message last night pleading with her to go with him. Leah hadn't responded.

Paul would know to call and screw with her order.

A big order.

He did it to get back at her. To punish her for not going to the wedding with him

The bastard must have been waiting outside the shop until he saw them loading up the van. Then he had called Claire shortly after she had set off.

Claire all but ran out the door now nearly bumping into a customer.

In her frustrated state Leah didn't immediately see who it was. But a moment later the fact that it was Jacob registered.

And just like that despite her stress over the botched flower delivery her hope was restored.

"Everything okay with the bouquet?" she asked.

"I've been trying to talk myself out of doing this," Jacob said as he walked toward her. "I guess because I figure you're already involved with someone. But even as I drove away I knew I had to come back and ask you," he paused drawing in an audible breath. "I'm wondering if you would like to have—"

"Yes," Leah interjected.

He chuckled. "I didn't finish my question."

"It's still yes," Leah gave him a smirk of her own. And she could feel that vibrancy Brady was talking about. She could feel herself morphing into a different person.

Leah wasn't going to let Paul get to her with his childish antics. She wasn't going back to him no matter what he did.

Jacob leaned in closer. "So you'll have dinner with me?"

"I'm free tomorrow night."

Jacob smiled seeming pleasantly surprised by her boldness. "Tomorrow night works for me, any particular time?"

"Seven is fine is that good for you?"

"That's good for me beautiful." So he had called her beautiful earlier.

God, she wanted to kiss him. She really did. She wanted to feel those nice lips of his molded to hers. She wanted to feel his muscular arms wrapped about her body.

Him being inside her.

"Shall I pick you up?" Jacob asked. "Or do you want to meet me somewhere?"

Leah had to swallow away the sinful image before she could speak. "Why don't you meet me right here?" she suggested.

"All right Leah it's a date."

Leah liked the way he said her name how it sounded in his deep baritone. She guessed she was a hussy for deep voices... or maybe it was just him. She didn't really know nor did she care.

This time as Jacob walked away he glanced back. Glanced back and waved.

Leah followed him with her eyes as he passed the front window. When he was almost out of sight he looked inside and caught her gaze smiling.

Leah laughed and waved.

So the guesses were pretty evident :D Woo... goo Jake go Jake...

Hoped you enjoyed the chapter... but if you didn't... next chapter should definitely be better lol...

The reviews to this story is awesome! I swear you guys are better than cupcakes and cookies...

So keep them coming and review :D