Chapter seventeen
Jessie swirls her straw in her glass of iced coffee. She keeps her eyes on the table and tries to think of something to say.
"So, Johnny Depp was amazing, hey?"
B/W Jessie: Guys don't wanna hear about other guys, dumb ass.
Tad laughs.
"Yeah, he was pretty funny. Kinda girlie and masculine at the same time."
Jessie smiles and nods. She takes a sip of her drink while she watches Tad play with his fork.
"It was a cool movie. I'm glad I saw it with you," Tad tells Jessie and goes a little red.
"Me too, Tad," she smiles at him.
Tad lets out a relieved sigh and takes a bite of apple pie. Jessie edges her free hand to the centre of the table so it slightly touches Tad's hand. Tad looks across at her and coughs. Jessie blushes a little but keeps her hand still. Tad wraps his fingers around hers and they smile at each other.
"Thanks for asking me out," she murmurs.
"Thanks for comin'. I was nervous you were gonna say no."
Jessie gasps.
"O no! I was waiting for you to ask me out!" she says a little loudly.
Tad laughs and squeezes her hand. He starts to edge off his seat.
"Do you mind if…if I sit next to you?"
Jessie shakes her head and Tad moves to her side of the table. He takes hold of her hand and leans his leg against hers. She smiles and takes a sip of her drink.
Tad leans towards her and she looks at him from under her eyelashes. She finds herself leaning towards him and closing her eyes. Their lips meet and Jessie feels herself suddenly relax.
B/W Jessie: It's amazing how right this feels…
(next section)
Grace shifts her body underneath the weight of Eli's body. His eyelids flutter open and he moves off of her. He turns his head so that he can look at her and he can't help but smile.
B/W Eli: When I look at her lying there, I get this urge to protect her forever.
He covers himself with the doona and moves in close to Grace. He turns on to his side and wraps his arm around Grace's stomach. Grace shifts a little and her eyes open. She smiles slightly as she notices Eli looking at her.
"Hey sexy," he murmurs.
Grace strokes his face and kisses him softly on the mouth.
"How long have you been awake?"
Eli takes hold of her hand.
"Not long. I've been watching you sleep," he murmurs and Grace giggles softly.
"I'm so lucky to be with you, Grace," he continues to murmur.
Grace laughs and turns her hear away. She notices a folder on her desk and gasps.
"Shit! I have an essay due on Monday."
Grace jumps out of the bed and picks up the folder. Eli gets out of the bed and takes hold of her shoulders.
"Have you started?" he asks as he caresses her shoulders.
"I've written a plan, but that's it."
"Well…we can work on it together, if ya want."
Grace smiles at Eli and shakes her head.
"Nah, bub. I can do it. Just give me some space, ok?"
"Sure, but don't forget my gig tomorrow night," he reminds her.
Grace slaps her face and grumbles.
"I can't tonight, E!"
"But babe, the record company is comin' to check us out. I need you!"
Grace looks at the folder and then back to Eli.
"Well, if I get most of the essay done, I'll try and make it."
"Promise?" Eli asks her with a pleading look.
Grace kisses him on the cheek and smiles.
"Promise, bub," she reassures him.
Should Grace forget Eli's gig or be the dutiful girlfriend that she is and make it in time?