Learning To Trust Again

Meanwhile Jake wandered around the living room. He looked at the books on the shelf and the few photos on display, one of which he noticed was of Rebecca and her brother and another, which showed both of them and an older couple. The siblings displayed enough similarities with the couple for Jake to assume with a degree of confidence that they were their parents. Looking around again, taking in the room as a whole, he decided he liked it. The room was comfortable without being cluttered with a big L shaped couch sitting in the middle of the floor. It felt warm and welcoming, something that he knew couldn’t be said about his place. The most appropriate word for the look of his apartment was austere.

Moving out onto the balcony where a soft breeze was blowing the sheer white curtains back into the living room, he leant his forearms on the railing and looked out over the river as it sat shimmering in the late afternoon sun. It looked like molten gold as the water reflected back the rays of the setting sun.

Stopping in the doorway behind him, Rebecca watched Jake unobserved for a minute. She had noticed when he arrived he was dressed differently to any another time she’d seen him. He had jeans on for a start, unlike the track suit pants he’d worn on the occasions he walked her home. From her current perspective, behind him she decided they suited him. He looked incredible in them actually and as flow of heat began spreading through her, she moved her eyes up. But things were no less stimulating in the upper part of his body. Instead of the hoodies he’d worn previously he was wearing a t-shirt and the short sleeves left his muscular arms on display as he leaned on the railing. She wanted to fan herself but with both hands holding a glass that was impossible so taking a deep breath trying hard to cool down, she stepped out onto the balcony. Holding out a glass of mineral water over ice she said ‘here you go. I hope this is okay?’

Turning at the sound of her voice Jake looked at the glass in her hand and nodded. Looking back into her eyes he said ‘thanks.’

Rebecca still felt like she was on fire and having him gazing into her eyes wasn’t helping. Turning away she took a cooling slip out of her drink and hoped he didn’t notice.

But she needn’t have worried, after taking the glass Jake turned back to the river. ‘You have a great view here’ he said.

Following his gaze, as she got herself under control, Rebecca nodded ‘yes, it’s what sold me on this apartment. I love sitting out here when it’s fine or even when it’s not. There is just something about watching the water, it so peaceful.’ Then realising she was babbling as she felt his eye move to rest on her, she glanced at him and then away again. Blushing she said ‘sorry.’

‘Don’t be’ he replied as his gaze once again moved away for her and back to the scenery ‘I agree. I wish I had a water view. All I can see is trains.’

Smiling she said ‘well trains are nice too.’

‘Yeah I guess so’ he agreed ‘just not as peaceful.’

‘This is my favourite time of day here’ she said ‘if I’m home I always come out to watch the sunset.

Jake nodded, his eyes still on the water, ‘I can see why.’