Fall (Seaside #4)(29)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Our meal was interrupted probably twenty times by girls wanting autographs, but Jaymeson took it in stride. Each girl that approached got a full dose of his British charm, and the weird thing? He didn’t seem to be bothered, if anything he was being himself. He talked to them like they were special, he asked for their names, he smiled and he didn’t get cranky.

Our food even got cold and he didn’t complain.

I hated how much it endeared him to me. He was so sweet — underneath that whorish habit of sleeping around — he had a heart. Clearly he just chose not to use it, especially when it came to relationships.

I about died when a girl around seven years old walked up to him and told him she was going to marry him someday.

Instead of laughing, he swooped her up into his arms and put her on his knee and said. “Honey, it would be an honor to wait for you.”

And insert swooning out of my chair.

The little girl giggled and kissed him on the cheek. He gave her an autograph and then pulled something out of his pocket that looked like a hotel key card.

Confused, I watched him slip the card to the mom without saying anything.

Later, when I asked what it was, he blushed and answered, “They drove up in a car older than me. It didn’t look safe. The little girl had rags for clothes and the mom looked like she hadn’t slept in weeks. They weren’t customers of the restaurant, and the little girl’s shoes had holes in them.” He popped a cold fry into his mouth. “I keep those cards for gifts.”

“Gifts?”

“Each card has fifteen grand on it. They’re Visa gift cards. She doesn’t know that, at least not yet, by the time she figures it out, I’ll be gone. And the little girl will have shoes, and I’ll sleep better at night knowing she’s not going to go hungry tonight because her mom can’t get a job.”

I’d dropped my fork onto the plate. “You can’t just give people money like that!”

“Why not?” He shrugged. “I have more money than I can spend in a lifetime. Why not pay it forward? Why not make their life? Hell, why not make their year? I’ve always had this theory…”

“What?” I felt tears well in my eyes.

He shrugged again, his eyes shining with excitement. “That if I was put on this earth to act — I should at least change lives doing it. I’m doing what I love — and I’ve been blessed enormously — I think that our success is tied into how much of ourselves we give. That’s all.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I may like nice things and talk about myself way too much. Oh yeah, and sleep around, but…” He winked. “I’m not heartless.”

“No.” My smile was weak, he was amazing. He was… perfect.

The rest of the afternoon had been spent in such warm bliss that I almost forgot that I was pissed at Jaymeson for pushing me into Smith’s arms.

“Pris?” Smith nudged me, jolting me back to the present. I gave my head a slight shake. “The movie’s starting but you look a million miles away. Is everything okay?” He put his arm around me and pulled me close.

“Yeah.” I faked a yawn. “Just really tired.”

“Aw, babe,” he sighed. “I’m sorry, I wouldn’t have asked you out if I’d known that. I just wanted to see you, even if it meant waving from a distance. We could have just gone out for coffee.” His eyes drew together in concern.

I felt a silly grin come on as I took in his compliment. “Thanks, Smith, that’s nice of you to say.”

“I’m a nice guy.” He rubbed my shoulder with his hand. “And I have a confession.”

“What?”

“I can’t stop thinking about you.” He leaned in, his lips so close to mine I could almost taste the peppermint gum he was chewing.

The movie started. He jerked back and caressed my face with his freehand. “I’m going to kiss you tonight.”

“O-okay.” My body went up in flames. But not because Smith was looking at me like he wanted to devour me.

It was because he said kiss and the only thing my brain could conjure up, was the memory of Jaymeson’s lips on mine.

Would another kiss ever compare to that? Why did he have to ruin me for all future boyfriends? It wasn’t fair. Nothing about my situation with Jaymeson was fair.

I tried to snap out of it. I gave a bright smile to Smith and turned my attention to the movie, and tried desperately not to imagine it was Jaymeson’s hand reaching for mine — instead of Smith’s.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jaymeson

So I was a creepy stalker. Sue me.

I pulled the baseball hat lower over my eyes and ducked into my sweatshirt. It was an old Seaside one that Demetri and Alec had made famous. It was a high school football sweatshirt so hopefully nobody would be the wiser to my presence.

The bastard was making her laugh.

I chomped hard on the licorice and glared as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

And seriously, who took a chick to an action movie? I mean, at least watch something romantic to get her in the mood. I frowned and shifted in my seat. Not that I wanted Pris in any mood around that guy, other than a pissy one.

I leaned over my chair and peered at them hardcore. Score. Her phone was in the cup container.

With a smirk I pulled my phone out and messaged her.

She jumped a foot then grabbed her cell from the cup holder and put it in her lap.

Me: Haven’t heard from you in a while…

Priscilla S: Kind of on a date…

Me: Whoa! You’ve been doing a lot of that lately!

Priscilla S: I know. When it rains it pours I guess.

Me: What’s the S stand for?

She hid her phone, while Smith adjusted his arm and squeezed her tighter. Dude, at least let her breathe!

Priscilla S: The S? It’s my middle name.

Me: And?

Priscilla S: It’s silly.

Me: Try me.

Priscilla S: Serendipity.

Me: That’s not silly. I like it J It seems to fit you. You really are a pleasant surprise.

Priscilla S: Thanks. I should go though. It’s probably frowned upon to message one guy while I’m on a date with another.

Me: Fair enough. Remember, you’re worth a hell of a lot more than a few dates and stolen kisses.

Priscilla S: Is that your way of saying guard my virtue?

Me: That’s my way of saying don’t let a guy steal your damn virginity just because he appears nice. Night, love.

I put my phone away and watched her reaction. She turned around and looked at the empty seats in the row above her before looking down at her phone. Her eyes widened for a brief second before she set her phone down and turned in my direction.