Emily

I wanted to kiss him so badly but I chickened out. My feelings haven't changed but what if his have? Maybe he met someone while I was 'asleep'. He probably said those things at the park because he was feeling guilty.

We're at the wharf looking at the possible location for ANTONIO'S GOLDEN FISH MARKET. Jayden and Antonio are talking with the real estate agent while Stephanie and I are looking out at the water.

Stephanie is a great person. She's about my height and size. She has olive skin with black hair and deep brown eyes and a beautiful face. She is also smart, funny and caring, when she asked what is like when I was away she was genuinely interested, not just looking for gossip. She also speaks Spanish and can keep Antonio in line. I predict another ranger wedding coming up.

We're having a great time talking and getting to know each other when the boys come up to us. Antonio grabs Stephanie's waist from behind. Someone tries to do the same to me but my samurai training kicks in. I grab his arms and twist them around each other, and then I kick his knee so he's sent to the ground. I turn to kick him in the stomach when I see its Jayden.

"Oh my god Jayden I am so sorry. I don't know why I did that. I'm so stupid" I try to help him up but he brushes me off.

"It's ok Em. I'm glad you haven't forgotten your training." He's trying not to make a big deal out of it by laughing it off and I try to laugh too but my hearts not in it.

I think Stephanie can see my dilemma in my eyes because she quickly changes the subject.

"So what happened with the real estate agent?" I mouth thank you to her behind the guys back. She shakes her head and smiles.

"Well we were debating the weekly rental when Jayden made an offer they couldn't refuse." Antonio explained. He was trying to sound and look nonchalant but we could both tell there was more to the story.

"Jayden offered to buy the place if I would be his business partner" Antonio couldn't stop hiding his excitement now. Stephanie laughed with him and they went off to inspect his new place.

"A fish market owner hey" I said to Jayden "never would have picked you for that"

He started laughing while moving to lean against the railing I was leaning on earlier.

"Me neither but I have money from dad and knowledge from my business degree. What better way to put them to use then helping Antonio?"

A comfortable silence sets over us as we watch the sun set over the ocean. The sun light does amazing things to Jayden; he's never looked more handsome then right now. Before I can turn away he looks at me and I get lost in his blue eyes. Without thinking we start leaning towards each other. We're so close I can feel his breath hitching on my face when Antonio calls out to us.

"Hey guys I just gotta call from Mia. She needs help with the fish for tonight's dinner so we should start heading back. Ow! What was that for?" Stephanie slapped his arm and started talking to him in Spanish. They walk in front of us no doubt arguing about Antonio interrupting the almost kiss.

"Should I be worried about Mia's cooking tonight? I mean I did just wake up from a 7 month nap." I'm really concerned about this gourmet meal that Mia has planned. I love Mia to death but I remember her cooking was disastrous.

"No. Actually she has improved greatly since you went to sleep. Turns out she does have talent for cooking, she just didn't know how to use it." Jayden reassured me.

We walk the rest of the way to the house in silence. I'm so confused about our almost kiss. Maybe he would have regretted it if we did kiss? Was he thankful that Antonio interrupted us? So many thoughts are going through my head that I trip over a tree root and hit the ground with a thud.

"Guess that hasn't changed" I say to myself. Jayden helps me up and brushes the dirt of my knees.

"Thanks" I say

"No problem" he smiles back

We walk into the house and head to the backyard.

"Ladies first" Jayden says as he opens the door for me. I giggle as I walk past him and sit at the table next to Stephanie.

Stephanie and I are talking about our families when someone taps my shoulder. I turn around and am in complete shock to see my mum standing in front of me.

"Mum" I hug her and start crying.

"Shh Em it's ok. I'm so glad you're awake." She says softly while rubbing my back.

I keep crying for 5 minutes until I remember that everyone is watching me. Embarrassed I let go of my mum and clean off my face.

"Dinners ready." Thankfully Mia steps in and takes the attention off me.

Turns out Jayden was right, Mia's cooking has improved by bounds. I spend the rest of the night talking to my mum. Most of the night I can feel someone looking at me but every time I turn around no one is looking.

"He really loves you, you know." Mum surprised me with that.

"I was asleep for seven months mum, he probably found someone else at the university." I confessed looking at my feet.

"If he's anything like his father then I know that's not true. And there's something about the Kaifuku state that Mentor didn't tell you. It can only be started by the tears of true love." She ignores my stupefied look and continues.

"You guys are meant to be together. That fear that he met someone else is just your insecurities coming through. Remember what Serena always said"

"I am my own worst enemy." I finished. I laugh and shake my head. I feel so stupid, of course my mum is right. She pulls me into a big hug again and we walk towards her car at the gate.

"I'm so glad you're alright. I have to go back to the farm now but I'll know you'll be ok. You have great friends and a wonderful boy who loves you almost as much as your father and I do. Whatever you choose to do, just know that you're father and I love you very much and are so very proud of you."

After mum drove away and was out of sight I stood there and thought about what mum had said. What was I going to do now? I've finished high school and Master Xandred was gone forever. I could go to university with Mike and Jayden and study teaching. I could work for Antonio at the fish mart. I could travel the world and see all the places Serena and I talked about. I could go home and help with the farm. I was so deep in thought I didn't hear Mia and Stephanie walk up behind me.

"Are you ok?" Mia asks. I take in a deep breath and turn around to face them.

"Yeah I am." I respond smiling. They start smiling back so we link arms and walk back to the boys, who were laughing at Antonio's very dramatic retelling of a fish he once caught.