Dinner?

"Please tell me you are planning to jump his bones" Emma says dramatically meanwhile behind her a tired Jack rolls his eyes. 

"Emma. Behave" I say embarrassed, I glance at jack and shake my head.

"Are you blind? Do I need to take you to an optician? This man is gorgeous! He is hot. Jack tell her he's hot" she turns to Jack. With his arms crossed he raises his eyebrows and shakes his head at her. "yeah I'm not doing that"

"I'm not bind Emma, but he is my landlord and it's inappropriate" 

"She's right, Simon is very strict. He's not the kind of guy to get involve with his tenant, he doesn't do messy or mix professional life with his personal life for that matter, I've never even seen him with a date to be fair" Jacks says. 

"Shame, you two would look great together" with another eye roll from Jack, Emma changes the subject. "Anyway, we brought you some bits" she points to a laundry basket on the side.

Linens, towels, laundry powder, toothpaste and a whole lot of other things that I'm sure will come in handy. And of course Jack pulls out three bottles of red wine from the bottom of the basket. "I guess we're having that kind of day" I chuckle

After a few hours we saw the bottom of two bottles while sitting by the lake and eating ice cream, enjoying the sun. The lake was truly beautiful, the warm air and the boats dancing on the water. It was a pinch me moment, I still couldn't believe that me, me out of all people had the privilege to live here. Emma had her head on Jack's shoulder, she was gone. I mean she did have more than us. 

"You going to be okay?" I ask Jack as he shuts the passenger door "Yeah, I'll take care of her" he smiles at me and hugs me goodbye "Jack?" He pulls away "Thank you for this. For helping me, I'm truly grateful" I squeeze his hand. "Don't mention it, I couldn't let you be out on the street, you know in a way you're like the little sister I never had" he winks at me. I watch him and Emma drive off. So Emma's theory that he's into me is a fail I believe and thank god too, cause I wouldn't know how to let him down easy.

After they left I decided to make dinner, my speciality was chicken lasagne. I wanted to thank Simon for feeding me yesterday and maybe have a conversation and get to know him a little.

I hear the jingle of keys at the door, perfect timing. I grab the tray of lasagne and walk to the front door. "Right on time" I smile wide like a kid at a toy store. His eyes on the tray

"What's this?" His eyebrows furrow, I'm standing in an apron and shorts with a tray in the door way while grinning like an idiot.

"It's a Thank you for feeding me yesterday. I thought we could eat together" he takes off his shoes pushes them under the bench and walks over.

"It's lasagne, chicken lasagne." I say explaining. I anxiously wait for him to say something anything, my smile slowly fading. Okay, this has gone from a thoughtful act to full blown regret. His face did not show an ounce of emotion. 

"Okay" he replies. My shoulders relax, I expected more from him, a smile, more than just okay or even some warmth.

"I'll dish some out for you " I turn on my heels, conscious that he is following me closely. I set the tray on the counter and cut out a piece and place it neatly on a plate. I do the same thing for me. Next I pour two glasses of red wine. To be honest I was still tipsy but I needed that glass to get me through dinner with him. 

I could feel the anxiety spread through me like wildfire, I could feel his eyes on me watching my every move. I turn around with plates in my hand. Placing it in front of him waiting for a compliment or words but nothing.

After a long pause he says "Thanks" I put mine down and grab our wine. Setting it on the table and sitting down next to Simon. He takes a bite, there I was still waiting for a reaction with his mouth full he stares at the wine as if I had just set poison in front of him.

He swallows. "I don't drink wine " my face dropping, realising that maybe I should have just asked before doing all of this. I had clearly overstep and I feel like such an idiot

" I-I'm sorry… I didn't know. I should have asked first" I say softly

"It's fine. I'll just pour it back in the bottle" he replies unbothered.

Well this evening is going great, feeling like as scolded child we sit in silence and eat. I sip on my wine desperate for this meal to end. My high hopes thrown in the water. After what felt like hours at the table he finishes and takes his plate to the sink, carefully washing and putting it away.

"Thank you for dinner." I didn't even bother to look at him. "You're welcome" I replied as I walked to the sink. He retreated to his room while I tidied the rest of the stuff on the counter. Once done I took the bottle of wine down by the lake to watch the sunset. The warm breeze on my skin felt good, while the wine lulled me to sleep.

I could feel arms around me, holding me tight. But the wine in my body kept me in a slump. What if it's a killer or a kidnapper carrying me somewhere to hurt me, this kidnapper smelled nice. He was warm. I push my head in his chest inhaling his scent, using all of my strength I force my eyes open and lift my head up to look at my assailant. "Simon" I say softly, as he looks down at me. 

"Anna" he whispers my name 

"Yes" I reply before I am placed on a bed, I scan the room. It's my bedroom

"You fell asleep by the lake"

"I'm sorry"

"It's okay, go to sleep" he brushes the hair out of my face with his finger. His touch touch warm, I catch his finger in my hand, wrapping around it. 

"Why didn't you like the dinner I made you" I say slowly.

"What makes you say that" he's voice softens. My eyes were closed but I could sense the worry in this voice.

"You didn't say you liked it. I - I was trying to be nice and I wanted to talk and get to know you"

He sighs. "I did like it. I just didn't expect you to make me anything. I told you to take care of yourself, I don't need you to care for me to" he says roughly

"But, but you gave me dinner" I retaliate

"That's was different. You had just moved in and you didn't even bring groceries. I wasn't going to let you starve. I don't want to start this habit of cooking for each other. I'm use to it being just me"

"I just wanted to say thank you. It was. Thank you lasagne". I whisper, sleep was taking over and I could no longer argue my point. 

"Okay well, I appreciate it and it was delicious. Now sleep" He leaves the room, I curl up and turn on my side. My door opens again.

"Drink" he hands me water. "You finished a whole bottle of wine. Trust me drink this" lifting my head up I obey and drink. His large hand rested on the back on my head steading me as I gulp the refreshing cold water. 

"All done?" he asks as I pull away from the bottle, I had my filll I was ready for bed. I nod resting my head back onto the pillow. 

"Goodnight" his voice soft, I feel his thumb brush my hair behind my ear, he gets up the bed springing back up, and with that the sound of the door close and I was into deep sleep. 

Simon

Throughout the night I popped in her room to make sure she was okay. She was snoring so loud, a smile tugged at my lips. She slept splayed out on the bed snoring her little head off, at least she was okay. 

I guess guilt is what made me check on her so much. She thought I didn't like what she cooked, maybe I was too cold with her. Unlike me she was warm and chatty. Being in the military for so long I had a system and ways that I done things. It was just me and my place and my peace. I wasn't going to let anyone running that but the fact that I upset her so much that she went to drink by the lake pissed me off. Morning came and she was still fast asleep, its the wine I tell myself. I wasn't going to make her breakfast or wake her, I had done my part. It's Saturday and I usually go fishing, funnily enough jack is coming along today, something tells me I'll be seeing him a lot more now. I know he said he didn't like her but why would he go to so much trouble to ensure the poor girl had a place. 

I shut the door behind me quietly and make a beeline to my garage. I get on with my boat and you fishing gear until little voice startles me. 

"Hi" jerking my head I look at the door to find Anna there a white linen dress hung off her body she looked fresh and well rested.

"Morning, good sleep" I say bringing my attention back to the boat and the ropes 

"God yes, no hangover thanks to you"

"Right the water" she's silent for a few seconds and carries on 

"I know it doesn't look good, me drunk asleep by the lake. I'm sorry you had to bring me in, I can promise you that'll never happen again. I know it's not your responsibility to feed or look after me. So it won't happen again "

"It's no worry" I didn't mind taking her in. I didn't mind taking care of her or checking on her all night. My guilt stopped me from feeling like I shouldn't have done these things. 

"Well thank you" she smiles at me and turns on her heels and walks off. Half way to the house she walks towards the driveway 

"What you doing here?" she says happily, hmm Jack must be here. 

"Fishing" I hear Jack's voice. I had no business to interrupt their conversation but somehow I was already out the door.

"You're here already!" I walk towards Jack and shake his hand. My fucking head was on fire when I spotted his hand around her waist holding her close. she had a wide smile on plastered on her face. She didn't budge or move and it infuriate me even more. Why the hell do I care? I've only known the girl for five fucking minutes. 

"You said 10, so I'm here at 10" 

"Right, well get your stuff and help me with the boat" I didn't need help with the boat, but in this very second I'd say anything to get his hands off of her. I know I had no right, if anyone was to be with her it would be him, I mean he knows her and done this for her. but for some fucking reason I didn't want anyone to have her. When I held her last night, carried her to bed and when she reached for my hand and she held it. God knows I would have burned the fucking world if she asked me to. 

"Where do you need me?" Jack says 

"Actually I don't, just grab your shit and lets go" I was being rude for no reason 

"What's gotten your panties twisted" he laughs 

"His panties are always in a twist" Mike and Lucy arrive, army mates. I greet them and before long we are out on the water. 

"So how's it going living with a someone, let alone a woman" Lucy asks. My friends know I have never lived with anyone else, let alone a woman. I enjoyed my privacy and my peace so this was a big step.

"She's been here for two days" I sigh "can hardly make judgment"

"How did the arrangement come about" Lucy continues.

"Good old Jack here. Ensured I took her in"

"Ouhhh" Lucy and Mike say in sync teasing Jack "No no. It's not like that. She's like my sister. Trust me" he says. Oh so he actually doesn't have feelings for her. I stare at him and back to the water. 

"She's a very beautiful girl, is she single?" Mike pipes up. "God we're here to fish not to set you up with Simon's tenant" Lucy snaps at Mike.

"Mike stay away from her" Jack snaps at Mike too. Mike was a good guy, a great friend and one of the best snippers I know. But he was a massive player, so understood why Jack wants him to stay away from Anna "Okay okay" Mike shakes his head.

With the sun setting we decided to call it a day, we barely caught anything today which was shit. I walk Lucy to her car Mike and Jack had already left. "Hey Si, so I was thinking maybe we should grab a drink sometimes ? Just me and you" she strokes my arm. Lucy wasn't really my type, she was beautiful, smart, confident and strong but just not what I go for but maybe I should give the whole dating thing a try. "Yeah, let me know when" she smiles widely at me " I'll text you the details later, with that said she gets in her car and drives off