Chapter 5

My hands spun the cup of coffee around the table slowly.

Jaden was late. Again.

Every Saturday morning we meet up at the cafe to have something to drink, or occasionally eat, and catch up on things that we haven't had time to talk about during the week.

The cafe door ringing bringing me out of my thoughts, I feel my body tense up and on high alert all the sudden. My eyes went straight to who just walked into the cafe, and it all made sense.

Shielding my face with the side of my hands, I prayed to the goddess that he wouldn't notice me.

But I never tend to have luck on my side.

As Ransom was ordering whatever he was getting, he looked around the cafe. His eyes stopped on me, and I inched down in my seat.

Pleasedontseemepleasedontseemepleasedontseemepleasedontseeme

He sat down in the booth seating across from me.

Fuck.

"You alright there?" He only looked amused.

Inwardly groaning, I take my hand away from my face and sit up straight.

"You know, when someone is trying to hide from another person in a restaurant, that isn't an invitation to sit by them." I take a sip of my iced coffee.

The corner of his lips tug at a smile again, and he watches me carefully.

"Why do you look at me like that?" I ask.

"You know, I've never been more intrigued by a person in my life. Surely, you would know why?" He tilts his head.

Uh yeah, the reason is that you're my mate. But you're human so you can't feel any sort of bond.

I shake my head. "I think that's just more of a you thing. I could care less about you."

He just chuckles, and puts his hand over his chest. "Ouch. That was more than brutally honest."

I roll my eyes and spin around my cup again.

He perks up as he hears his name being called, and he leaves me alone for just a moment to go and get his drink.

Much to my dismay, he's in no rush today and sits back down across from me.

"I never got a few answers to my questions, by the way." He leans back on the booth and sips at what looks like straight black coffee.

"Yeah well, don't ever think you're going to get those answers." I cross my arms and also lean back in the booth.

"Not even your name?" He bites his lip.

I pause, and then shake my head.

He just lightly scoffs, and his eyes make contact with mine.

"We started off on the wrong foot," he begins. "Let's start over, and pretend nothing has ever happened between us. I'm Ransom." He extends his hand out in front of me, probably to shake.

I debate on taking his hand, but then I feel my phone buzz. I snap out of the trance he sorta has me in, and reach down to pull out my phone from my pocket.

Jaden: hey, sorry. I won't be able to make it today. Reschedule for tomorrow?

I turn off my phone and sigh in annoyance.

"Date cancel on you?" Ransom retracts his hand.

"I don't think Jaden would be considered as a date." I put my phone back in my pocket.

I take my coffee and finish the little bit thats left of it.

"Jaden? Berkeleys husband?" He studies me intently.

"Yeah, who else?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"Just making sure we're talking about the right Jaden."

"Is there another Jaden that I should know of?"

"No. I don't even know another Jaden." He shrugs.

I relax. I didn't even know I had tensed up.

Stupid mate bond. It even makes you jealous of non-Existent people.

"Anyways, were you waiting for him or something?" He continues to slowly sip at his drink.

"Yeah. We try and meet up here every Saturday." I explain without thinking, then shut my eyes.

Shit. He's going to come here every Saturday morning now, huh?

I open my eyes again and softly shake my head, Ransom closely watching me.

Man, how observant was this guy?

"Anyways, I better get going. I have to go run some errands." I stand up out of the booth.

I'm not lying, I have more anxiety medication to pick up from the pharmacy. These past few weeks have been hell for my body waiting for the right time to get a refill.

Ransom quickly stands up and jogs after me, as I am already halfway out the door.

"Wait-" he grabs my wrist gently.

Sparks fly through my entire body.

I suddenly feel almost suffocated. The last time I had felt this was with...well, you know.

I yank away my wrist from him, and hold it close to my chest with my other hand. I glare at him.

He puts both of his hands up, backing off. "Sorry, you don't like to be touched. I should've asked."

"I would've said no." I narrow my eyes, and practically snarl that towards him.

"I just wanted to ask you a few things." He begins.

"You're always asking me things. And the wrong ones." I turn around and begin to walk towards the direction of the pharmacy.

I hear him running behind me, and sure enough, he's right in front of me, blocking my path.

"Like I said in the cafe, I want to start over. Can we at least do that?" He pleads.

I cross my arms. "Why are you so interested in me?"

That seems to stump him a little, and eventually he shrugs.

Well, at least he's honest.

"Can I please know your name?" He asks me again, for what seems like the millionth time today.

"If I give you my name, will you leave me alone?" I sigh in annoyance.

"Can't promise that." He gives me a hesitant side smirk.

I carefully examine him. Wondering why he was so persistent on my name.

"Kyle." I say after a while, and his body relaxes.

"Well Kyle, are you doing anything important right now?" Ransom asks, out of the blue.

It shocked me to say the least. Was he asking me out on a date?

Clearly, considering his facial expression, it shocked him as well that he even asked that.

"Are you asking me out?" I say slowly.

"No! No, I'm not fucking gay." He scoffs.

My heart drops.

I purse my lips, before I try to make my way around him.

I don't have time for his bullshit.

"Wait, sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Just like, a hang out?" He tries to desperately save himself.

I give a sarcastic laugh and turn around to face him.

I open my mouth, ready to give him a big piece of my mind, but my mind travels back to his shocked expression when he asked me to go somewhere with him in the first place.

He had no plan. It was an impulsive choice for him.

I'm ready to see it turn into a disaster.

"Alright, I'll 'hang out' with you." I say.

He clearly looks caught off guard. He wasn't expecting me to say yes.

This was going to be a hell of a time, I can feel it.