The One who got Away

“I love your bed,” Serena moans as she collapses into it. “I know I have my own room down stairs but this is honestly the best place in the whole damn world. I just hate it when you try to drag me out of it.”

“Well you can stay in it as long as you want because my bed likes you in there too.”

I move into the bed next to Serena and I pull her into a hug. As she tucks under my arm she fits there perfectly, making i

t seem even more like she might be the one for me. How can my mother be right when she doesn’t even know Serena? How can she know how I’m feeling before I do? It’s insane.

“What do you want to eat then? I can call any take out in the whole city.”

“Oh I do love that about the city,” Serena replies happily. “Back at home we didn’t have anywhere to get take out food. I don’t mind what we have, it’s your choice entirely.”

It’s weird how much I like doing normal things with her, just hanging out and eating. For anyone else that’s just normal, the sort of things people do the entire time, but for me that’s huge. It wasn’t that long ago that I didn’t ever think I would do that with anyone. I assumed that I loved the party life style and that I would never want to change.

Serena has thrown a curve ball in and changed absolutely everything. Her sweet, easy going nature has altered everything and I’m so very happy.

“Pizza,” I tell her while reaching for my cell phone. “I’ll order us a pizza. You like pizza, right?” I already know that she does, I know lots about her now.

“Great.” Serena looks adorable as she snuggles in deeper to the covers. “Sounds absolutely perfect.”

The moment is so wonderful, it’s so perfect, I honestly don’t think anything will be able to tear us apart. Not my mom and her silly comments, not anyone. Me and Serena really do have it all. A bright smile plays on my lips as everything just feels wonderful.

Chapter Sixteen– Serena

“That’s so adorable that your boyfriend has come into work with you,” Tia, another one of the bar maid’s says quietly to me. I much prefer her to the shot girls, even though I don’t know her too well yet. She’s much more friendly and there seems to be a lot less drama with her. I can slowly see her becoming my friend. “He’s super hot too, which is awesome.”

“I don’t know if I can definitely call him my boyfriend yet,” I reply coyly. “But yeah it’s sweet that he’s come here.” I give him a cheeky wave which he responds to, despite the fact that he’s surrounded by other business men that he’s talking to. “He’s very kind.”

“So, wait, you live with him, he follows you to work, he gives you that protective look all the time... but he’s not your boyfriend?” She makes a disbelieving sound. “Nah, girl, I think you’ve locked him down and you don’t even realise it.”

God, I hope that she’s right. I really hope that Ben is mine. I don’t want to ask him because things aren’t supposed to be getting complicated between us.

“Yeah, maybe.”

I continue washing the glasses, but over the top of them I admire Ben. Maybe that is a protective look in his eyes, or maybe he just wants me again. Whatever it is it sends a powerful shiver racing up and down my spine. It brings a cheeky smile to my lips and makes me think about what will happen later when we get home. Our sex life gets steamier every single day and I like that. I always can’t wait to see what he has next for me.

“Yeah, girl, he definitely isn’t yours,” Tia teases. “He just brings that glint to your eye for no reason. You’ll be married next and still not convinced that he is yours.”

There it is, another sign. It seems that everywhere I look there are indications of weddings everywhere. It’s almost as if the universe is telling me to just get on with it and marry Ben already, despite the short time we’ve known one another.

I would as well, I would marry him if that’s what he wants.

“What about you?” I can’t discuss Ben anymore, it’s making my head spin. “Are you with anyone?”

“Oh well, I was with this jackass, Mike.” Her expression turns sour, I can tell this isn’t going to be a story that ends well. “But as it turned out, he was also dating one of the girls who used to work here at the same time. A blonde, Jenny her name is.”

My blood runs cold. She can only be talking about my Jenny, but I don’t remember any guy named Mike. Then again I didn’t ever really get to know any of her flings. There were more late night hook ups and they didn’t stick around for long enough for me to speak to them.

I glance at Tia out the corner of my eye wondering if I should tell the truth. Will Tia blame me too if she knows I was Jenny’s roommate, probably at the time they were both dating the same guy. Oh well, judging by the timing, definitely at the same time. Then again, do I want to start our potential friendship on a lie?

“I erm, I used to live with Jenny.” Tia shoots me a look, one that isn’t very impressed at all. “But I don’t remember anything about a Mike.”

A thick silence clings to the air for a moment, I wonder if everything is about to dissolve as quickly as it began, but then thankfully Tia’s face begins to thaw. “Oh well, I’m not surprised that you don’t know him. Mike is definitely a late night sort of guy... not like your Ben.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. “I’m sure Jenny didn’t know about you either. She isn’t like that.” I don’t think anyway. I’ve never thought her to be that sort of person. “And Mike sounds like a loser. You’re better off without him.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. Now I’m just single, but it’s okay. I’m loving it.... oh...”

Her eyes travel over to where Ben is and by the way her expression pales I can tell it isn’t good. I almost don’t want to look myself, but my head turns regardless as if my body has a mind of it’s own. There I see a sight that makes my heart stop dead in my chest.