“Again?” Jonah asked with a befuddled look on his face.
I nodded. “Is it okay if we go inside and talk? I’m less likely to become a blubbering mess when I’m in public.”
“Of course. Just... give me a moment?” he said as he backed away and held up a finger. I knew why he needed a moment. I could feel his excitement pressed against my hand while we were kissing. I decided to bring the mirror down, check my makeup, and hopefully give him a little privacy to calm down.
The thought I excited him so much made me smile.
Yeah, you excite me. No surprise there.
With his thoughts flooding my brain, I jerked my gaze in his direction. Jaw dropped, I said, “Jonah!”
“What?”
“I heard you!” Before he could argue, I continued. “Think of something else. Quick.”
Silence. I heard nothing but the muted anti-noise of the enclosed car.
“Damn,” I said out loud. Not in a cursory sort of way, but instead, a sigh of disappointment.
Um, I need to know why you said ‘again’.
A huge Cheshire Cat grin spread across my face as I heard his thoughts. I turned my entire body sideways so I could face him again and literally felt like my cheeks would explode at the next thought running ramped through his mind.
Wow, you’re beautiful when you smile at me.
“You think so?” I questioned.
“Think what?”
“You think I’m beautiful when I smile at you?” I repeated him, letting him know I heard every thought.
His jaw dropped for just a split second before he joined me in the ticker tape parade of smiles.
“You heard that, huh?” he said, still grinning from ear to ear.
I just nodded and bit my lip in an attempt to break the grin that was beginning to make my cheeks cramp.
“Well, it’s true,” he said as he lightly brushed his fingertips along the top of my hand. “Now, can you think of something? Let’s see if I’m able to hear what’s going through that beautiful mind of yours.”
I sat back against the plush leather of his car and closed my eyes. I began to remember our first encounter at the college. Which was another odd occurrence. It seems he actually did go to school there. Not only that, but the teachers and classrooms I dreamed of actually exist. However, knowing about all of it while I was, literally, dead to the world just seemed impossible.
Ok, Orella. Focus. Think of something Jonah should remember. Well, of course he won’t remember something in your dreams, moron. But, think of something he should know or recognize.
I heard him clear his throat, ultimately ending my attempt to jog his memory... or mine.
“Nothing?” I asked.
He just shook his head, the sorrow obvious on his face.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized as I squeezed his hand.
“Don’t be. It’s ok. How about we go in and eat?”
Nodding seemed to be the only response I could give around this boy. What’s wrong with my goddamn voice?
I watched as he deliciously rounded his way to my side of the car and opened the door for me, offering his hand just like he did in my dreams... or, coma, really.
The restaurant was busy and rather loud. But, I loved Mexican food, so it was worth the exchange in privacy. Jonah whispered something into the hostess’ ear and she responded with an I-know-what-you-did type of smile.
I began to open my mouth and ask Jonah what was up when she led us to a room near the back. Quiet. Secluded. Just, perfect. Dinner was much of the same. We talked about his current art projects, which were absolutely amazing to hear about.
Then he asked me about physical therapy. Hole. Swallow. Now. I wasn’t ready to tell him.
Just as I thought I would be subjected to telling him such a private thing in a very public place, the waitress came and rescued me, even if for just a moment.
“Would you like anything else, Ella?” Jonah asked as he grabbed my hand once more. It’s almost as if he wanted the waitress to know we were together. Yet, he couldn’t read her mind right now, so I wonder what that was all about.
“No, thanks. I’m good,” I answered, hoping and praying he would get the check so we could leave.
Thankfully, he asked for the check. I let out a huge sigh, relieved we would be leaving soon, and caught his attention in the process.
“You ok?”
“Yep, just peachy,” I answered flatly. I think he could tell I was lying, but he didn’t push.
As we waited for the check, I began to remember our horseback ride together and the vision of him on Skip, galloping down the trail at sunset.
After several moments of remembering our riding excursion, I suddenly realized he was staring at me with nothing short of a stunned look on his face.
“Ella! That’s from my dream!” Jonah gasped.
“What dream?” I asked, worried he may not have seen what I was projecting to him. “Did you just see what I was thinking about?”
“Yes,” he answered as he threw a wad of cash onto the table and began to stand up. “And we have a lot of talking to do.”
He seemed angry. I hope what I thought about didn’t anger him. How could it have? Or, why? It very well could have just been my imagination. And surely, he couldn’t be getting mad at that, right?
“I’m not mad, Ella. I’m actually excited and confused and just... well, you’ll see.”
“Where are we going?”
“My apartment. There’s something I need to show you.”
I stopped just short of the restaurant door, causing a couple behind us to dodge my halting form and make their way around us.
“What?” Jonah asked, worry in his voice and facial features.
“Your apartment?” I asked in a rather kid-like voice. Truth was, regardless of what I dreamed about in my coma-like state, I’ve never been with a man before. And, all girls know, going to a man’s apartment, alone, at night, is just asking for it. Especially when that man was as fucking sexy as Jonah.
He grinned as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and said, “I’m glad you think I’m sexy, but, as much as I am attracted to you, that is not my intention. I promise.”
I took his words to be true and followed him out of the restaurant, sighing in relief once I sank down into the Charger’s bucket seats.
*****
Jonah’s apartment was literally two blocks away. Not even enough time for us to think of what was happening. I could tell he was excited and extremely nervous about something, which continued to leak doubt into my mind about going to his apartment alone.
Get a grip, Hugh. For one, he said that wasn’t his intentions. And two, you’re a friggin adult for crying out loud. Geez!
Jonah chuckled and I then realized he heard my own internal monologue chastising myself for being a pussy. Wait, maybe I shouldn’t use the word pussy. Might give the wrong impression. With that thought, I had to chuckle at my own thoughts.
We pulled into the complex parking lot rather fast, as if his ass was on fire and his apartment was the only place to quench his cheeks.
Grabbing my hand and quickly helping me out of the car, he practically ran up the stairs to his apartment door.
“Now, promise me you won’t freak out and we’ll talk about this before you run for the hills?” he asked with a stark look on his face.
“Jonah, you’re starting to scare me,” I said quietly, backing away from him slightly as I thought of being in an apartment with a man I thought I knew well, but in reality, had only met today.
Without letting my hand go, he gently tugged me back toward him and hugged me.
“Damn. I’m so sorry. I never meant to scare you or worry you. I’m such a shithead. I just, I don’t know how to figure all this out, Ella. The only way I can see how to explain it is to show you a picture I drew several nights ago,” he clarified as he held onto me tight.
My face was buried in the nook. You know, that snug little area on a man’s chest where you can burry your face and know that the entire universe now centers around this comfortable connection. I breathed in his scent and felt his heart pound beneath my ear.
Finally I looked up at his face, riddled with concern. Probably worried I would bail on him.
“Okay, Jonah. Show me your drawing, please.”
With that, he unlocked the door and led me into his apartment.