The week ended and it was finally Saturday. School was mundane and nothing special.

I haven't seen Jace since that day in the parking lot.

That was three days ago.

I was concerned. After what I had witnessed I wanted to make sure he was okay.

I messaged him and even called. But nothing.

I thought I would give him his space. That he may need it.

But wouldn't it be polite to at least text back?

He's never been polite.

What did I expect?

I was currently on my way to Nate's house. I had had promise him that I would spend a day with his mom. Nate hadn't said a word to me since that day in the hallway.

I tried to approach him a few times, but he always conveniently had some to talk to or was walking in the opposite direction.

Kayla heard about the hallway kiss and was so upset that she missed it. She actually threw a tantrum.

I parked my car in the driveway of Nate's house. I approached the grand front door and before I could even knock the door flew open startling me.

"Leah! You're here!" Mrs. Rylan exclaimed. She pulled me into a tight hug. I swear she literally squeezed the air out of me.

"I am." Was all I managed to get out until she let go.

"Come in." She said with her award winning smile. Her light brown hair was in a half up and half down style. She was dressed in a pair of light colored jeans and a dark gray t-shirt. Different from the glamorous dress she was in when I last saw her.

I walked into the foyer as she closed the door behind me. I still get amazed by this glorious house. Sorry not house, mansion.

"Don't be a stranger, you know this house like the back of your hand." She teased.

I gave her a smile. "It's like I've been here my whole life or something."

She let out a small chuckle. "Something like that."

We walked down the long hallway and into the huge kitchen and my eyes widen at the spread that was laid out on the counter tops.

Different types of pastas, salads, breads. Even meats and cheeses all laid in front of me.

"Are you expecting more guests?" I asked curiously. All this food just couldn't be for me.

"No, just you." Mrs. Rylan said simply.

I should say I'm shocked, but I'm not.

This is how Mrs. Rylan is. Over the top.

But she always means well.

I picked up a piece of freshly baked bread and popped it in my mouth and my eyes widen at the taste. "Wow, that's so good!" I raved and she smiled.

And that was just bread.

"Grab a plate and help yourself." She said gestering to the food.

Of course I did happily.

I loaded my plate with everything. Of course I didn't forget the bread.

Mrs. Rylan made a plate for herself also. Mine was doubled hers by the way.

We sat down at the table that was in the kitchen. When I tell you I inhaled that food, I meant it.

Everything was so delicious, I just couldn't help myself.

I heard Mrs. Rylan laugh. "Still the same."

I smiled at her sheepishly and slow down my eating. "Sorry." I apologized.

She waved her hand dismissively. "So tell me what's new? We have so much catching up to do!"

Mrs. Rylan and I sat and talked for what felt like hours. She told me all about Florida and how she missed home. She filled me in on the new branch that is opening here from the company that Mr. Rylan works at. All about her new adventures in photography and even showed me some of her work. They were so professional, I couldn't believe it.

She even told me a bit about Nate's school life in Florida. She said he wasn't very open and didn't make much friends. Seems like he was home sick, but he eventually opened up a little. She even made sure to add a the bit were he didn't date anyone.

She was still very much shipping Nate and I.

Only if she knew he didn't feel the same.

"Tell me about this boyfriend of yours."

Hearing the word 'boyfriend' made me choke on my water. "Umm."

"Don't be shy." She said with a smile.

"Uh, it's nothing special." I told her. "We just have a few classes together so we knew of each other. He helped me out with a situation and it just kinda a happened." None of that was a lie.

Jace is helping me out with a situation, but she didn't need to know what. To fool your son.

"Is he cute?" She asked completely in trance by this topic.

I felt a slight blush creep up on my cheeks as I thought about it. " I guess you can say that." He much more than cute.

She squealed. Yes she squealed. "Look at you blush!" She exclaimed and at the same time Nate walked into kitchen.

I had no idea he was here.

Nate walked over the fridge and grabbed a water bottle. I couldn't help but notice he was dressed in a plain white t-shirt and dark jeans. His light brown hair was down and brushed across his forehead making his dark blue eye stand out even more.

"What are you talking about?" He asked before taking a sip of his water.

"Leah's boyfriend." Mrs. Rylan said wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

She is a character, but I love her for it.

Nate didn't say anything, but took the seat next to me. I could feel the tension building between us and I think his mom could too.

Mrs. Rylan glanced between the two of us as we sat in silence. "So, I didn't get a chance to make dessert but I thought we could do it together." She spoke up. "Nate mentioned that you wanted brownies."

I smiled at her. "I would love that. I can finally see what special ingredient you use to make them so good."

Mrs. Rylan grabbed our plates off the table and headed over to the sink.

"Why are you being so weird?" I asked turning my attention over to Nate.

"I'm not." He said with his eyes trained ahead taking another gulp of his water.

I rolled my eyes at him. What is his problem?

"Whatever." I stood up from seat and went over to help Mrs. Rylan clear off her kitchen island of all the food so we can get started on those delicious brownies.

Nate stayed seated at the table and pulled out his phone putting his attention on something else.

Mrs. Rylan took out all the ingredients for the brownies and strawberries also. She wanted to make chocolate covered strawberries, she said one dessert is not enough. Over the top, I told you.

"Shoot, I don't have enough butter for the brownies." She said looking at the ingredients. Just as I was about to tell her that we could just make the strawberries, she spoke up. "I'll run to the store really quick. Nate help Leah with the strawberries."

She grabbed her purse and was out the door a second later.

At no moment was I able to argue with her. She made sure of that.

Nate stood up from his seat and made his way over to where I was.

I started preparing the chocolate for the strawberries as Nate started on the strawberries.

His phone would buzz every now and again. He would pause reply and go back to what he was doing.

After the fourth time, I spoke up. "You know if you're busy I can do this myself."

I took a strawberries dipped it in the melted chocolate and placed it on a cookie sheet that was lined in parchment paper.

Nate locked his phone and placed it in pocket. "Sorry, didn't know it bothered you that much."

I furrowed my eyebrows at his response. "It doesn't bother me. I was just saying if you're busy you don't have to be stuck here with me."

"But if it was Jace, it would bother you." He said dipping a strawberry into the chocolate.

"What does Jace have to do with this?" I asked.

Nate scoffed. "Why are you with him?"

"Because I like him." I said in defended taken back at his sudden question. He didn't need to know the real reason. "And he likes me."

He scoffed once more. "Yeah, right."

"You don't believe me?" I asked feeling my anger rising. I don't know why, but the fact that he did not believe my relationship with Jace irked me.

"No, because you like me." Nate said matter of factly.

I was taken back again. "Liked. I liked you. People can move on Nate."

Nate shook his head. What is going on here?

Him bring up the past is not like him.

"That confession was two years ago, Nate. You didn't like me and you made it clear. So I moved on."

Nate let out a humorless chuckle. "Are you sure about that?"

"Sure about what?" I asked confused.

"That I don't like you."

"Isn't that what you implied when you reject me?" I asked coldly.

Nate looked into my eyes with his dark blue ones. "But I never said it. I never said the words 'I don't like you'."

Nate took a step closer closing the distance between us. I caught a the scent of his cologne.

He tilt my head up letting our eyes meet once more. This time his were swirling with emotions. He tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear.

"Leah, I made a mistake two years ago. I was an asshole for not accepting your feelings." I wanted to say something but I felt the words caught in my throat. "Especially, since I felt and still feel the same."

I was completely taken back once more by his words. "W-what?" Was all I could get out.

"Leah, I like you."

😈