Hi everyone. First of all, thanks for all the reviews and the new followers, it really means a lot to us :) Here's the next chapter...some of you may be disappointed but it is an Esplanie one. As I wrote in the reviews section, Hell-and-bliss and I really wanted to write about ALL the characters of the show. Besides, we needed to see Javi's reaction, right? ;) To all the Caskett fans, don't worry, there's something for you in the chapter right after, that will come very soon. Please be patient! Thanks in advance and we hope you'll still enjoy your reading. xxx
"…and then I decided to launch my own catering company", the Jake in question said, as he was sitting on the edge of the pool, his legs in the water. Lanie was sitting next to him, and seemed to hang onto every word he said.
"It sounds like an amazing job…" she replied, grinning as she dangled her feet in the fresh water of the pool.
"Well, it's more appetizing than medical examiner, for sure", he replied with a smile.
Lanie let out a laugh, exactly when Esposito arrived at the terrace. He heard that laugh he knew so well, a few meters ahead. As soon as he saw Lanie smile to that good-looking guy, the two of them sitting on the edge of the pool, his heart sank. He felt jealousy racing through his veins, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Her long dark hair was wet with water, beads of it dripping down her chocolate skin. Jake's shirt was also slightly wet. She certainly must have swum earlier, and they certainly splashed about in the pool, in the dark. He felt jealousy grow even more just at the thought.
Javier remained silent at first, before shaking his head, trying to forget those thoughts that made him feel sick. Then he took a step towards the pool. Towards them.
"Lanie", he snapped. Lanie turned her head to him, and her smile faded as she saw him approaching them with a cold look.
"What…" she mumbled, frowning.
"Castle is about to give his toast. Hurry up," he ordered as he kept stepping forward. He stared at them, as they were still sitting on the edge of the pool. Jake shyly raised his eyes to the latino. The way Javier was looking at him made him feel clearly uncomfortable.
"What? His toast, already?" Lanie asked in surprise as she glanced at her watch.
"Yeah, already. You guys can flirt later", he said, full of jealousy. Lanie stared at him coldly.
"Who is he?" Jake asked Lanie in a whisper, surprised by his aggressiveness.
"He's nobody," she grumbled.
Esposito smirked.
"We've been dating for one year and I'm nobody?" he said, offended. "Nice."
Lanie gave him a cold look again. She could feel that Jake was getting tensed. He finally got up on his feet and stared at Esposito a few seconds, before he turned to Lanie again who was still sitting, her feet in the water.
"I have to go back to work…make sure the desserts are ready and stuff…but it was nice meeting you", he said to Lanie, with a gorgeous smile.
Before Lanie could say something, he walked away from the terrace and disappeared into the crowd. Lanie watched him go for a few seconds before she sighed heavily and stared at her ex-boyfriend.
"Damn you…" she grumbled full of anger. He rolled his eyes and stepped closer to her before he offered his hand for her to catch it. But she just avoided it and stood up by herself. She was wearing a bikini that Javier particularly liked – but he wouldn't say any comment about it. Even a tiny compliment about how beautiful she was. He knew she would be able to slap him in her condition right now.
"How dare you told him about my private life?" she finally barked as he offered her a towel from a canvas chair.
"Our private life, you mean" he corrected her.
"Whatever!" she muttered. Then she tore the towel from his hands and wrapped it around her waist without saying thank you.
"He looked nice", Esposito added slightly.
"Stop it. You're getting on my nerves." She replied coldly.
"Come on, it's not my fault if you're ashamed of the relationship we had…" he said with an accusing tone, pointing a finger at her.
"And here we go, it's my fault now! I'm not the one who showed up out of nowhere and made you look like an idiot?!"
"Wow, you did really like him?"
Lanie's head startled as she heard his question.
"It's not the point! Besides…what if I did? It's none of your business."
"Indeed, I don't care" he said with a bitter laugh.
Lanie stared at him, suddenly thinking of a theory. She hesitated before saying something about it…but finally decided to ask.
"You didn't come here because you're…sort of jealous, did you?" she asked suspiciously as she crossed her arms.
"Maybe that's what you expected, right?" he replied with defying eyes, taking another step towards her.
"In your dreams, Esposito", Lanie grumbled, as she stepped towards him too. They were standing so close to each other that they could feel each other's breath on their face.
"You and I are over." She managed to say, trying to sound convincing.
"I couldn't have said it better myself!" he answered back, with the same tone.
They kept staring at each other without blinking, both of them almost holding their breath. Their faces were slowly getting closer. They were only separated by a few millimeters when suddenly…
"Javier, Lanie?"
They both startled and turned their heads towards the voice that had just called them. Then they stepped back from each other, as if they were ashamed somebody would have caught them being so close.
Kevin Ryan was coming to the terrace of the pool, walking towards them. But when he saw them so close and uncomfortable, he slowed down his pace, wondering what was going on.
"Hem…I…I can come back later, I mean…" He stammered, uncomfortable as well. "It's just that Castle is going to give his toast and, as you guys still weren't there, I figured that I should come here and…well…"
"We're coming." The latino interrupted as Lanie walked towards the canvas chair where she had put her dress. She rubbed her body with her towel, then her long hair, as she was determined to get dressed as fast as possible.
Esposito watched her for a few seconds before looking at Ryan who had stepped towards him.
"Hem…are you okay?" the Irish asked with a little smile.
"Why wouldn't I?" Esposito replied dryly, as he didn't appreciate Ryan's suggestive smile.
Kevin shrugged.
"I dunno. I just have the feeling I interrupted something…"
Javier smirked.
"You're crazy, man?"
"Well, I don't know, you guys seemed so close, like…like you were going to kiss or something." Ryan whispered as he glanced at Lanie, hoping secretly she wouldn't hear.
Esposito laughed again, so hard he was about to choke.
"Kiss? Seriously, can you imagine us, kissing?" he laughed nervously as if it was inconceivable. Kevin stared at him suggestively – clearly meaning yes. Javier noticed it and nodded, suddenly becoming serious.
"Man, you have to stop drinking…As if I would kiss her! Damn, she's so annoying I just want to…"
He couldn't finish his phrase, as Kevin gave him a look to make him realize Lanie was walking towards them.
"All right, I'm ready", she said, as she was wearing a beautiful purple summer dress. Her long hair was still wet but she did her best to dry the most of it with the towel. Lanie stared at both of them, surprised by their silence.
"What, do I have something wrong?" she asked. Before they could answer something, she just left the terrace and headed to the manor, in order to join Kate and the other guests, for Rick's speech.
"What were you going to say?" the Irish said. Esposito was about to reply but Kevin stopped him with a funny face.
"You know what? Forget it, I don't even wanna hear it", he just said as he walked away. Esposito grinned and watched him go before he started to follow him.
to be continued