A/N: Thank you all so much for reading. Special thanks to everyone who has taken the time to follow/favorite and leave kind words or feedback. You guys don't know just how much all of it means to me. I can't properly express it with words, so I'll just say this. If I could hug each and every one of you, I would. Consider yourself hugged, kay?
WARNING: this chapter contains the absolute worst douchebag I could dream up to be Jenny's Tinder date. If it helps, picture Gaspard Ulliel. With the sense of entitlement and ego of the actual worst celebrity male you can think of and presto.. you have Ben. Also, Michael kind of.. vaguely flirts with Jenny when he sees her, mostly because of reasons that will come out sooner or later and have a lot to do with Kiki and how she was when she first arrived in Port Charles.
AND NOW.. on with addressing some reviews I got for the last part.
my fellow liz fan anon, thank you so so much! I enjoy writing Jenny and Morgan, it's been a blast. I guess because there's so much at play that they have to get through? I was reading back over it to edit and not gonna lie, I was amazed that the whole thing came out of me? Like... I'm so glad you liked it and it had an effect on you because I really want to achieve a certain goal here with them and ahh, I wanna cry because your kind words make me feel like maybe I have? I also enjoyed writing the little exchange between Josslyn and Jenny. You are so right. I feel like given who her mother is and that particular brand of shit show, she's seen/heard/lived enough to strike me as kind of an old soul. Wish the show writers saw it that way too. They seemed to be taking her in that direction for a while there but I'm not sure about now bc I haven't watched in a while, full disclosure. As far as Carly and the money, I kind of had this vague idea that maybe she'd heard bits of the conversation with Joss and maybe it was just a rare moment of decency, idk. (To be honest, the idea came and I rolled with it. Carly does have her moments, though they're few and far between).
Oh my god, all of this. I love Liz. I don't get why people are so extreme about her if they dislike her? She's a good person at her core, she just does what she has to to survive the shit that goes down in PC. I mean, c'mon... do they expect anyone who isn't Sam or Carly to just sit and take shit? Because if so, that makes zero sense. And I like Sam, to a degree, so the fact that I'm saying this.. Anyway, yeah. I totally agree with you and I'm so glad you're happy with the direction I'll be taking with Liz! I'm glad my laptop is fixed too, because I was starting to go stir-crazy. It felt like I got bombarded with tons of ideas / little side things I could do when I didn't have access to it, lmao?
the other anon who reviewed and basically put to words what I've been thinking a while now about Carly and Sam's plots vs. Liz's plots / character development. Oh my god, agreed. It's like they forgot that Liz can do the sassy thing too and that really, really bothers me so much. It's a huge reason that I only rarely bother watching anymore and can't tell you one iota of what's happening currently. So, you're not alone, bab. I promise to continue trying to skirt around Carly, but I warn in advance, there may be a few parts where that's mission impossible but damn it, I'm determined to try. Just to give others spotlight. Also, I want to hug you so hard for your compliments on the tension with Morgan and Jenny because it's like I said above. I am trying to go for a certain vibe with them and I'm so glad that it seems to be translating bc I was afraid I'd royally screw it up.
And now, in closing, a question.. I am.. seriously tempted to post a fic for another GH guy that I feel didn't get enough of a chance / deserved much better at some point.. I'm honestly torn between Logan (don't look at me, he's literally my one weakness lmaooo and they could've done so much better by him...) and Nathan (I was salty that they took Spinelli and Maxie away. They amused me). I'd say Michael, but idk.. I lowkey still want to definitely redo the fic I had for him on here too, but nothing's come to me for him yet.
FIVE
The phone buzzed against my workstation and since I was busy entering information into the system from a patients chart for one of the older nurses, I let it keep buzzing. It wasn't really bothersome. I honestly figured that it was a game notification or a text from my parents or my sister, because they'd been texting me all day.
Liz grabbed my phone for me when she entered the nurses station and gave me the churros and hot cocoa she'd picked up for me while she'd been out on a snack run. She raised a brow as she held the phone back out to me and asked, "Tinder? Seriously?"
My blank look led her to explain that I'd gotten a text from someone and all it said was "Hey. This is Daniel.. The Tinder guy?"
I nodded, taking my phone from her hands. Shoveling another churro into my mouth and crunching noisily as I scanned the text. Blowing out a breath as I muttered to myself, "Well shit. It's all fun and games until they actually do message you back, I suppose."
"Tell me you're not going to answer?" Liz asked, gazing at me in concern. I pushed the rolling chair out from the desk a little and reclined my legs, staring at the phone I held in my hands. "I mean, right now, it's just saying hi?" I answered weakly. Liz shook her head. "Tinder is trash. And it's not safe. That's like putting an ad in the lost connections part of Craigslist."
"Hey, I read those. They amuse me." I gave a soft laugh, shaking my head no. "I doubt anything comes of this anyway. And I didn't even set this up for myself, Babe kinda.. Did what she does and took matters into her own hands. Anything to keep me away from Joey Nowak, she said. I just haven't deleted it because it's an amusing distraction. Plus, I like to roast the idiots who dare go straight for sending me a dick pic."
"Somehow I knew you'd say that." Liz shook her head, laughing. Double checking my computer screen against the patient chart for me. Showing me a line I'd missed so I could go back and add it. And after a second or two, she continued. "If it were me? I wouldn't bother using it. I've heard some really questionable stories about the app."
"I know, I just.. I dunno. I guess it's just easier than actually dragging my ass out more than I have to already when it comes to meeting people? I know you're not gonna stand there and tell me you haven't noticed just how awkward I am sometimes." I laughed, going quiet with my eyes fixed on my messages screen when the three dots appeared and disappeared for a fourth time.
"My dude, if you have something to say, I wish to fuck you'd just come on with it already. Some of us got work."
"Do you want to meet this person?" Liz asked. I shrugged. Letting out a very frustrated at myself deep breath. "Not particularly. But the person I'd rather spend time with.. The guy's not an option."
"Oh?" Liz's brow quirked. She eyed me patiently, waiting on details. Without telling her who I was talking about, I told her about the whole thing with Morgan Corinthos. And she smiled, reaching down to fluff my hair. "You're like a little sister to me. Take my advice. It's better to love and lose than never love again at all. This guy sounds nothing like Joey, by the way. What's stopping you?"
From the doorway, Felix chuckled, speaking up. "You know what's stoppin her, Liz. She is. For her to be the on-staff hellion, she's definitely wound up real nice and tight." as he smirked at me and waved his hands, laughing. "I'm kidding, girl. I love you, I really do. But I'm with Liz here. Why go through what's probably going to be a disaster Tinder meet-up when what you really want is right in front of you, woman?"
"Who is this guy? Do you know him, Felix? I tried to get a name out of Ms. Tight-lips here, but she won't tell." Liz asked Felix, prompting me to snap my fingers and speak up to remind them, "Hey! Yo! I am still present you two."
"Give us a name." they said it at the same time, making me laugh. I shrugged, fidgeted a little and shook my head. Both of them are well aware of who Morgan Corinthos is exactly and there is.. Nope... I am not outing myself like that. I can't.
"It's just a guy, sheesh. Trust me. I know there's not a chance in hell. So it's not even worth mentioning his name. Can we just not talk about this anymore? Pretty please?" I begged them both and even though I knew they didn't want to, they dropped the subject. Turning back to their continued attempts to get me not to use Tinder to meet people.
And I have to say, I agree with both of them wholeheartedly.
But if I don't do something soon, I'm going to lose my mind. Or worse, I'll wind up finding Morgan and telling him everything. And I do mean everything. And I might not stop at just telling him everything, either. Either way, Tinder is nothing more than a distraction.
"Are we still on for drinks and ribs later?" Felix's question cut through my thoughts and I nodded, laughing. "Darts too if you're looking to get your ass handed to you. Ixnay on the drinking for me though. I'm trying to steer clear as much as I can. Kind of met my quota for the month already, oops." I grimaced, pouting a little as I said it.
"One day at a time." Felix smiled, nodding at me. My cell phone buzzed and the ringer for incoming text messages started up, making me hurry to silence it because I highly doubt everyone wants to hear the beginning chords to Crazy Train over and over.
"And it looks like the Tinder guy finally answered me. He wants to meet..." I cringed a little, glancing from Liz to Felix. They shared a look and Liz answered with a shrug, "I'd feel better if you didn't, personally... But if you have to, I guess you could give him the location pin to Jake's? At least that way, it won't be quite so bad?"
"Guys, I'm totally fine. Besides.. we've all watched enough true crime to know that the true sickos stick to Craigslist. I swear, I'll leave the second something feels off. I'll just get him to meet me down the street at that little bakery. And I have both of you on speed dial and my trusty pocketknife..."
"The bakery next to Corinthos Morgan Coffee, right?" Liz asked as if she were making a mental note of it. I nodded. Took a deep breath and centered myself. And then proceeded to sit staring at the empty input screen for two whole minutes while I tried to will myself to answer the guy.
,, I know what I want. Or who I want. But I also know exactly why that's out of the question. I have to do this. Just do it." I thought to myself as I finally managed to muster up the nerve to respond.
"And it's done."
"You know we want all the details after, right?" Felix insisted.
"If this date is as bad as the last blind date I went on, I'll probably be giving you a live-action play by play from a bathroom stall." I mused, making them both share a look when I added quickly, "Trust me. Don't ask. You don't want to know. Just think of every cliche thing that can go wrong on a blind date and multiply that by ten thousand."
"Yikes."
" What she said. I better get to my floor before Nurse Epiphany comes round and chews my ass out." Felix chuckled, hugging Liz and I on his way out.
The rest of the afternoon seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, I was back at my studio apartment over Kelly's Diner. Getting ready for a date I honestly didn't want to be going on.
"Gee. Hope this guy isn't holding out too much hope for a Barbie type. Because that is.. Not happenin tonight." I grumbled to myself after I put on the third decent 'date' type thing I own, a simple little white sundress with red flowers, and again, for a third time, I felt like I was trying too damn hard to be someone I'm clearly not.
For clarification, the whopping total of four dresses I own were all either given to me by my older sister Babe or picked out for me and gifted to me by my best friend Miranda. I just don't like getting all dolled up a whole lot. It feels all weird and I never know how to properly sit in the damn dresses. The heels slow me the fuck down if I need to get the hell out of Dodge.
We won't even get started on me and makeup because that is... an entirely different nightmare. We're lucky I can apply mascara and my trusty red lipstick without looking like a clown school reject and then some days it's questionable.
I digress.
I happened to glance over at my cell phone to check the time and change the song currently playing from Halestorm to Queensryche's I Don't Believe In Love and I realized that the guy I was supposed to be meeting up with had already texted me. Not once but twice.
"The hell, my guy? Eager, aren't we?" I mused as I unlocked my phone and my eyes scanned the messages he'd sent.
[Ben] I really hope you're not one of those alt types. I should've mentioned it before, but I prefer class in a woman.
[Ben] I'll be the guy in the Burberry scarf. Trust me, you'll know me when you see me. ;)
[Ben] Looking forward to grabbing something sweet with you. ;)
I rubbed my forehead, re reading the texts. Nearly doubling over in laughter as I shook my head. I probably should've just called the whole date off then, but I was bored. And I was feeling antagonistic.
I found Liz's number in my contacts and dialed it, letting it ring. Cameron, one of her sons, I think he's around the same age as Josslyn actually, he picked up the phone.
"Mom! It's Jenny from work!"
"Ms. Martin, Cameron, what have I told you about using formal names, son?" Liz lectured gently from the background before taking the phone from him. I gave a soft laugh and told her that him just calling me Jenny was totally fine because it wasn't like I was that much older than he was. She agreed but insisted, pointing out that if he started just referring to someone by their first name and not a formal title, then sooner or later, someone would inevitably be offended and then she'd have to go and get herself involved because she was not about to let someone talk down to her kid.
I listened, wandering around my fire escape. Shivering in the cold.
"What's up? Did Mr. Tinder bail? God, I hope so. I have a not-so good feeling about this meetup, Jen."
I sighed, laughing softly. "Again, Liz.. I'll be fiiiine. He didn't bail but... I'm pretty sure tonight is not gonna be my lucky night. This asshole, oh my god, let me tell you."
"Tell me!"
I read her the texts he'd sent, verbatim.
"Please tell me you're going above and beyond just to annoy this entitled asshole." Liz laughed as she asked the question. I laughed too, stepping back inside after I'd put out my cigarette. Going straight over to my closet and pulling it open.
Oh, I knew exactly what I was going for. As soon as I spotted the ripped black skinny jeans and my favorite red cropped Motley Crue concert tee, I changed out of my clothes quick. Then I found the pair of Docs that my mom's threatened to throw out at least ten times and that my sister Babe calls my 'shit-kickers' and after I'd put those on, I gave a triumphant fist pump and muttered, "Let's see just how irritated Mr. I'm So Fancy is by the sight of me in all my rocker groupie wannabe glory, shall we?" after I grabbed a slightly oversized and worn red and black buffalo plaid long sleeve shirt just to finish off the ensemble.
"What'd you do?"
"Give me just one second and you shall see, Liz!" I called out as I went to the camera feature on my phone and posed it, so I could take a selfie.
I sent it to Liz and when I heard her start to laugh on her end, I smiled. "Is that alt enough to deter his disgusting ass?"
"God, I hope so. Those little winky faces creep me the hell out, Jen. I still say you should just pull a no-show. I'm leaving now, heading down to Jakes. Do you want a lift?"
"Meh, I'll walk tonight. I would say I'd come get you in my car, but naturally, my car is down at Extreme Autos."
"What happened?" Liz asked.
"Well, I went to pump the brakes and they didn't want to work properly? I dunno. I mean, it's been a while since I changed 'em, so maybe that was it. Kind of why I've been walking to work this week."
"Why haven't you said something, woman? I come by there every single day."
"I didn't want to be trouble. Besides, walking gives me time to think." I grabbed my keys and slipped on my black down filled jacket, pulling up the hood almost the second I made it down the back stairwell and out into the alley and felt the way the air was cold enough to cut to the bone. "Are we sure the matrix isn't glitching, Liz? I can't remember Pennsylvania or New York being an Artic hell this early on."
"I was wondering the same. We've already had more snow than we usually get. I hope this system of storms clears the hell out soon." Liz answered. After I talked to her a few more minutes, I hung up. Trudging down the sidewalk and through a few alleys was my usual shortcut to get to Jake's and once I stepped inside the warm and cozy little bar, I made my way over to where Felix sat, waiting already.
"Girl?" Felix nodded to my outfit as I took off my jacket. I produced my cell phone and let Felix read the texts that Ben, my Tinder date for the evening, had already sent.
"No, he did not."
"Oh, he did. And I'm feeling a little antagonistic." I snickered. Liz wandered in, taking off her jacket. Stopping to look at my outfit and ask me with a smirk, "Did you tell Felix what that prick sent?"
"She showed me. I'm still with Liz on the idea to just ghost the guy."
"Oh no, no. I'm showing up. And I'm gonna enjoy every second of this. I mean, the bright side is at least I know this meet up is going to be a bust?" I shrugged. Eyeing Felix's olive from the martini he'd been drinking. Felix chuckled, shoving a bowl of green olives at me. "Figured that you'd want my olives all night so I just got the guy running the bar to bring some out for you that don't have alcohol on them."
"Aww, why can't more men be like you!" I gushed, making him smile and laugh. Liz laughed too and then the three of us migrated over to the dart board.
After a round or two of drinks for Liz and Felix and halfway into our second game of darts, I happened to spot Michael and Kiki all cozied up in the corner. I shook my head, turning my attention away entirely. Rolling my eyes at the whole thing. But Liz noticed the little look and she gave me a questioning look. "Something going on there I should know about?"
"I can't stand fake people is all." I mused, taking a toothpick and spearing another green olive from the bowl then biting into it aggressively.
"Yeah, I heard she really messed with Morgan's head. Now apparently, she's doing the same to his brother. Ah well, not my circus, not my monkeys." Liz dismissed it, sighing and shrugging. She threw another dart, nearly hitting her second bullseye of the night. I pouted and yelped, "Hey! Can we at least attempt to leave my current record intact? I'm already gonna be going on the Tinder date from hell."
"I can't help it your game is off tonight, Jen."
"Dang it, Liz." I pouted, taking a dart. Throwing it at the board with enough force. Except it didn't hit the board. It hit the wall above the board. Because I happened to catch sight of Morgan as he walked past the bar, talking to his sister Josslyn. I tried to tear my eyes off him before Liz or Felix noticed, but unfortunately, that didn't happen.
They shared a look and I stuffed my face with olives, shrugging. "What?"
"What was that little eye-fucking session just now, ma'am?"
"It was not an eye-fucking session, Felix."
"Well you were definitely enjoying the view, Jen." Liz teased gently, smirking at me. I swallowed hard when they both put two and two together at the same time and shared a quiet "Oh. Oh. And now it all makes sense."
"What?"
"Well, obviously, you-know-who is the guy you want but claim that you can't have." Liz started, shaking her head at me, laughing. Glancing from me to Kiki and then focusing her attention back to me as she spoke again, "You could have him. He'd be a thousand times better off with you. Do you seriously think she's better than you? Is that what this is? Because that's what I'm getting from this."
"Girl, no." Felix started in on me too. "No, no, a thousand times, no. Girl, if Morgan went for you, he'd be trading up, actually."
"God yes. That... That thing and her conniving mother are the worst thing to hit town in years and considering I dealt with Carly, that's... That's saying a lot because Carly is a piece of work." Liz mused, shaking her head at me.
"It's not just that. That is some of it. I mean, hello, she's hot. I have three looks and that's it... I have the homeless chic, the adolescent tomboy and the grunge groupie... My house back in Pine Valley could fit in one freakin room of his mom's place. Besides that, we are.. Definitely not on the same level." I shook my head.
"Wait.. Hold up... And you know that your whole house will fit in one room of Carly's house, how exactly?" Liz questioned, tapping her foot. Demanding details.
I laughed and tossed an olive into the air, catching it in my mouth as I shrugged. "I ran into the poor guy one night. He was too drunk to function so I wrangled his ass into my Mustang and took his ass home. To safety and warmth. So I wouldn't be up all night worrying that he was out in the general populace, drunk and all belligerent."
"Awww." Felix smiled, teasing.
"What?"
"You, my poor girl, are in LOVE. This has gone.. way past a physical attraction. Trust me." Liz teased gently, sharing a look with Felix. I grumbled and pouted at both of them and then happened to catch sight of the time. I grabbed a few olives to munch on as I walked down to the bakery and said my goodbyes, promising to check in at least ten times before the two of them were satisfied enough that I would to finally let me leave.
I made my way out of Jakes, colliding with Michael and Kiki in the process. She gave me a dirty look and Michael eyed me in concern. Reaching out to steady me. "Are you alright?"
"She would be if she paid more attention to her surroundings. C'mon, Michael, let's gooooo." Kiki drawled, melting herself against him as I eyed her and scoffed. Did she... Did she seriously think I was even a little interested in Michael? Was she jealous or something? I wanted to laugh at the thought but instead, I smirked, nodding to Kiki. "You should probably go pour that one into bed."
Michael chuckled. Gazing down at me a second or two. "You teach Josslyn gymnastics. You're good. I've seen you work with her."
"Thanks." I shuffled my feet. Gazing intently at the exit the two of them were currently blocking.
Michael smiled, raking his hand through his hair. Chuckling as he stated, "It was nice to finally meet you in person."
"Likewise, Michael. If you don't mind?" I nodded at the door, making a hasty retreat.
Yeah, how about no. I'll pass on the obvious attempt at whatever Michael was up to back there. Either he was trying to be a flirt to make Kiki act better or make her jealous, or he was being a flirt so he could brag in front of Morgan about meeting me. Either way, I was so not getting caught up in it.
I found a table in the bakery and sat down. Drumming my fingers on the tabletop as my eyes fixed on the doors. Waiting. Half tempted to just get up and walk out but also determined to at least see this through because I don't have it in me to ghost anyone, which sucks because sometimes?
People really deserve it.
I spotted a tall guy with an expensive suit and the Burberry scarf my Tinder date mentioned earlier and I rolled my eyes to myself. Oh, he was handsome alright. And suddenly, as he caught sight of me and eyed me, a bit of a scowl replacing the cocky smirk he'd had himself not even two seconds before, I realized that this guy was probably every bit as deep as a kiddie pool. And he definitely didn't look like the kind of guy who would just pack up on a whim and road trip to a state fair or a weekend camping trip. He's definitely not the guy you'd find in the mosh pit at a concert.
I just thought Morgan and I were worlds apart. This asshole? A galaxy.
He walked over, stiff and formal. If his nose were any higher in the air and it happened to rain, he'd drown. It took everything in me not to make the remark.
"Jen. Right?" he asked as he eyed me. Distaste coloring dull ice-water eyes as he sat down across the table from me. I nodded, popping another olive into my mouth. He eyed me, a brow raised. Chuckling.
"You look so much different than the picture on your profile." he remarked after a second or two. The tone he took with me to say it was one of stern disappointment.
"At least I had one, sir." I mused, shrugging. Giving him my best bored look before dropping my gaze to the menu. I could feel him cringing, I didn't even have to be looking at him to know that he was probably judging me. And he was probably judging me harshly right now.
It amused me, truth be told.
"I think I'm going to get two of the pastries. And a hot chocolate. Anything catch your eye, Ben?"
"You're going to order two pastries..."
"Uh, yeah? Did you miss my stomach growling or what?" I gave a soft laugh. Raising a hand to drag my hair out of my eyes. His eyes darted down to my chest. Either he was reading my shirt or undressing me with his eyes. Something told me it was more the former than the latter, so I didn't tense up and get edgy like I normally would. His nose wrinkled.
"You like that sort of music?"
"Yeah?" I questioned, my brow raising at him.
"I feel like I've been purposely misled. Like I wasted my time. Do you know who I am, Jen? Do you know just how valuable even a minute of my time is?" he muttered. Giving me a scornful look as he did so. "I'll pay if you insist on ordering two pastries and cocoa. But I just felt that you should know.. So far you are not meeting my expectations."
"Funny, because so far, you've met all of mine."
He smirked as if he thought I were complimenting him. I clucked my tongue and leaned in a little. "It's not a good thing, Ben."
The glare I got was enough to feed my inner antagonist for a little longer. I gave the sweetest smile I could muster and countered, "I'll be paying for my own shit, thanks. I'd really rather not owe you in any way later."
He grumbled out a stiff, "Fine."
I dug around and found some money to pay for my order and I guess the asshole wanted to at least try to salvage the night, because he asked with a smirk, "Tell me about yourself."
"I'm a nurse. I teach gymnastics and play guitar in my spare time. This is when I'm not taking spontaneous road trips or watching true crime documentaries on Netflix. There's not really a lot to tell."
"Are you sure you don't want me to pay? Judging by your.. Outfit.. and your occupation, you can't have much to spare."
"I got enough." I snapped, giving him an eye roll.
"And yet, you can't be bothered enough to wear something more to my liking. It should bother you to leave someone with a bad first impression. If I weren't at least ninety five percent sure you'd jump at the chance to crawl into bed with me, most women like you seem to, I'd have left the second I laid eyes on you."
"Does it bother you to be an abrasive prick though?" I asked, not bothering to hide my temper. Speaking up to add in a more deathly calm and quieter tone, "Honestly? You're a solid five. I'd rather use a cactus as a sex toy than let you anywhere near me like that. Just so we're clear, asshole. In fact.. as soon as my food gets here? I'm done."
The hot cocoa and pastries I'd ordered came and it took every bit of willpower I possessed not to pour the steaming hot liquid over his head. But I played it cool. Instead of upending my beverage on the asshole, I reached across the table and grabbed the glass of water he'd asked for, splashing it right in his eyes.
Smirking as he glared at me, I shoved past the gaping waiter and pushed my way out the door of the bakery. Trying not to cry as I went, because I was that fucking angry at the things he'd had the audacity to say to me. And I think I swore and ranted to myself every single step I took down the sidewalk. I felt a tap to my shoulder and I whirled around, glaring. Bracing myself for the asshole to actually have had the audacity to come after me because he... Definitely struck me the type.
I found myself gazing up at Morgan as he looked at me in concern. I let out a shaky breath and shoved my shaking hands in my pockets.
"Are you okay? What'd that asshole you were with in the bakery when I walked by do to you? I saw you stand up so fast you almost flipped the table and then I saw you pour his own water on him?"
"Nothing, it's.. I'm fine, okay? I just learned a valuable lesson tonight. How are you?" I asked, stepping closer before I could stop myself. Gazing up at him in concern because I know he had to have seen his brother and Kiki hanging all over the guy earlier before I left Jakes and saw him walking past.
He shrugged. Shuffled his feet quietly. I shivered a little and he chuckled. Reaching out. Tugging up the zipper on my black down filled jacket. Just the simple little touch felt so intimate somehow that I felt a shiver run through me. We're not even starting on the fact that my thighs were suddenly clenching together so tight I could feel them ache. I swallowed hard. Nodding to his own unzipped jacket as I shook my head and laughed. "You'll zip my jacket, Morgan... but you don't care if you freeze? Make it make sense, sir."
When his eyes met mine, there was this flash there. My stomach fluttered just a little. He bit his lip and nodded to Jake's. "Do you wanna go in there to talk?"
"Are you getting a little chilly, maybe?"
He stuck his tongue out at me and I shrugged. Glancing at my phone and realizing that by now, Liz and Felix were probably long gone. I'd text them later and check in. I shook my head and answered the question Morgan had asked me. "Nah, actually, I was kind of considering just wandering around. Until I calm down."
"What happened, exactly?"
"Well, let's just say I will never. Never ever again... Bother with meeting someone who super liked me on Tinder. This guy was such a fucking prick I.. I don't even know where to start, Morgan."
"The beginning?" he joked. I stuck out my tongue at him and as we turned away from Jakes, starting to walk down the sidewalk, I found myself telling him almost everything that transpired from the initial text the guy sent asking to meet up to just an hour ago, when Morgan saw me lose my temper and storm out of the bakery. He listened. Tensing now and then. Making me glance up at him to make sure he was okay.
If I were a little more full of myself or optimistic and dared to get my hopes up, I'd almost want to think that he tensed up because hearing everything the guy said to me made him angry.
"Morgan?"
"I should've come in. I could tell you weren't comfortable." Morgan muttered. I blinked. Gaping up at him while he was too distracted to realize I was looking at him. How long had he been standing there?
"It's okay. I handled the prick. I'm fine, see? Not a scratch."
I saw him kind of relax a little. We stopped by the pier and I stepped closer. Reaching for the zip on his leather jacket. Zipping it up and then tilting my head slightly, giving him a sort of satisfied nod. He stepped just a little closer. Chuckling quietly. "Did you really tell the guy you'd rather use a cactus as a sex toy than crawl into bed with him?"
"Damn straight. Where he got the impression I'd fuck him anyway to begin with is totally beyond me. And the jerk accused me of catfishing? Look, I didn't set up the damn profile to start with. My sister did. She's the one who used a picture of me in some demure little sundress standing in the sunflower field we'd passed by on the way to watch our mom and my dad renew their vows. Not me. If I'd set it up? I'd have probably used the worst picture I could take, deliberately."
Morgan snickered, shaking his head. "Why even have a Tinder?"
I shrugged. Sighing. "My sister was just trying to help me out of a dark place. I don't delete it simply for the reason that she was just trying to help because she loves me. But I'm deleting the app after tonight, you're goddamn right I am." I gave a soft laugh. Leaning into Morgan just a little before I could stop myself.
"Did you at least give someone else your location before you met up with the guy?"
"Liz and Felix. Morgan, trust me. I'm fine." I insisted, yet again. He seemed relieved when I told him that I'd told two people actually in my vicinity where I'd be. I was doing it again before I even realized it, getting all lost in the blue of his eyes. I rose to tiptoe and fluffed his hair.
Promptly shoved my hand right back into my jacket pocket after I did it, too.
This. The overwhelming urge to touch the guy. It's the biggest damn reason I need to try harder to stay the hell away. Because him and I? We'd probably never work.
I'm too messed up. He deserves better.
,, That's Joey Nowak talking. It's not entirely wrong, but it's not entirely right, either. I am good enough for Morgan Corinthos. I'm just too damn scared to try." and almost the second the mental debate started up in my head again, I was trying to drive it all out. Only now, thanks to being caught staring at him earlier, Felix and Liz's words of encouragement were included in the mix too.
The last thing I need right now is encouragement.
"Do you wanna get another cocoa? I think my dad's still in the coffee shop..."
I nodded, smiling. "White chocolate?" I asked, giving him a hopeful smile. He chuckled, nodding. "Yeah. I can probably find that."
"Awesome. Let's go warm up, yeah? My ass is frozen. I can't believe I let my inner antagonist pick my wardrobe tonight, holey jeans were... Not my best idea."
Morgan's eyes roamed over me as we stood in the doorway of his father's coffee shop and I felt a wave of heat rushing to my cheeks as I couldn't do anything but stare right back. Step a little closer all over again.
Our bodies just barely grazed. He looked like he wanted to say something. It was to a point which I was very tempted to ask him what was on his mind but I didn't dare. Instead, he motioned to the inside of the coffee shop and muttered huskily, "After you."
"Okay." I answered softly, stepping into the door. Biting my bottom lip when I felt his hand lingering at the small of my back for just a second.
Every second more I spend with Morgan, the harder it's going to be to keep fighting. I know this. And yet, I can't seem to stop myself...
