I tightened my high ponytail as I walked down the stairs. It was my shift at the shop this morning. And to say the least, I really wasn't up for it, I felt really tired.

Oh why, because, I couldn't for the love of god stop thinking about Ryder. His voice, his lips, the way he would grab my wrist last nig-

"Octavia!" My dad broke through my thoughts as I looked at him. "Don't you hear me? You have been standing there for a good minute, anything wrong bud?"

Crap, the last thing I need is for my dad to find out about this little crush, I guess I have. Would Ryder even go for me, he seems so jaw dropping that someone like him would have a model girlfriend. Me? I'm anything but, wait does he already have on-

"Octavia hill!" My dad said loudly again, shit, get it together Octavia.

"I'm sorry dad, yeah I'm fine, just a little stressed with what I want to do." I said smoothly, walking down the rest of the stairs, I hadn't even noticed I stopped in the first place.

"I already told you, come run the thrift shop with your old dad." he said smiling.

I smiled too, it would be nice, he didn't like the idea of me going away to some college far away. If I did though he said he'd be supportive more than anything. Whereas my mom leant to the idea of keeping me locked inside the house forever.

"You know I always think about it."

"I know, let's get to the shop yeah?" he said, walking past me patting my arm and I nodded following him out to the car.

Once we got to the thrift shop, I noticed a certain Lamborghini that made my insides twist inside. What was he doing here?

"Are you okay bud you look a bit red?"

"Yeah." I said, getting out of the car, why am I so nervous.

I walked inside the shop hearing the bell go off as I do while my dad trails behind. When we both went to the back, there he was. Currently sitting at the table while my mom makes some coffee.

"Hi mom." I greeted, since I didn't see her this morning, I felt his eyes on me once again.

"Good morning." she replied, with a smile as I sat down at the table diagonal from Ryder.

My dad and Ryder shook hands until he looks at me again, "Hello Octavia." he said, staring very intensely at me.

"Hi Ryder." I said, quietly.

"Hi Jake." said Jake, as he walks into the back and I laugh.

"How did you even get in here it's locked." I spoke, for a fact because, we're not even opened yet.

He just waves a spare key around and comes over kissing my cheek.

"Good morning sunshine." he greeted me, and I quickly looked at Ryder, to only see he wasn't looking at me anymore.

Instead he was looking away clenching his jaw. I just smiled at Jake's gesture and he sat down next to me.

"So, Mr. hill when are you gonna let me start working here?" Jake asked.

Oh not this again, every time he was around my dad he'd beg him to get a job here. Just so we could have a job together. My dad would say no because, Jake is absolutely the worst worker of all time. Jake definitely proved that just by a week of working here one time.

"How about never." My dad stated, chuckling as he walked over to my mom rubbing her back while she drank her coffee.

I sat there zoning out of the rest of the conversation, looking at Ryder wondering what he was doing here. I probably stared a bit too long because, he looked back at me and we made eye contact. It felt like years before I finally looked down.

"We should open up now Octavia you want too?" My mom asked.

"Yeah sure." I said, getting up and taking the keys from her.

"I'll go with you, I need to go anyways, I just stopped by to say hi to you." Jake said, and I shook my head smiling.

We both walked to the front shop, I opened it up and flipped the sign to open. As I did me and Jake hugged goodbye. I turned around to see Ryder was leaning against the wall, watching me.

"And back to the stalking good to know." I smiled jokingly, referencing to something I said the first night we met.

He chuckled which I found so incredibly attractive, he should it more often, "I wouldn't call it stalking, more like admiring." he replied, which brought heat to my cheeks.

"T-there's nothing to admire." I said, shaking my head meaning every word I said.

"I beg to differ." he said now walking towards me.

My heart beat increased.

😂

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