First Crush (Dark Falkon #1) by J.O Mantel Read Free Book Online Page A

with Jake.
    They walked two blocks before agreeing on a cafe for lunch. They ordered their meals and the two of them sat there in silence for a few seconds. Ivy felt just as awkward as she had the night she kissed Jake, she didn't want to say anything in case she embarrassed herself in front of him.
    The waiter arrived with their drinks, and placed them on the table, Jake grabbed his beer and took a sip out of the bottle. Ivy turned and looked at him, hypnotized by his eyes once more.
    “Busy day?” Jake asked.
    “Yeah, very. What about you?”
    “I had a rehearsal with the band this morning and finished up early, that's why I thought it would be good to catch up.”
    After placing their meals on the table, the waiter went back inside, leaving Jake and Ivy alone.
    “So, there was something you wanted to talk about?” Ivy asked, digging into her salad.
    “Yeah. Ivy, you and I are friends, right? You know that I care about you just as much as I do Sienna?”
    “I guess so,” she replied, unsure how to really respond.
    “Ivy, you're a great girl. You're talented and beautiful and one day you’re going to make some guy, very happy.” Oh oh, Ivy had heard this speech way too many times before.
    “Thanks, Jake. What are you getting at, exactly?”
    “Ivy, I don't want things to be weird between us?”
    “Weird? Why on earth would things be weird between us?”
    “After that kiss, I don't want there to be any mixed feelings between us.”
    “Oh, Jake, seriously I'm over it, I've already moved on. It's in the past.”
    “Sienna told me that you like me, Ivy, like really like me.”
    “Yeah I know, she told me that she told you, I feel like such an idiot.” She put her head down and finished her salad.
    “Ivy, I'm honored and flattered that you like me. This is exactly what I'm talking about, I don't want you to feel weird about it.”
    “I didn't want you to find out like that, it almost looks as if I was getting someone else to do my dirty work for me.”
    Jake laughed as he finished his beer and lunch.
    “Ivy, you’re cute. I swear I didn't think that at all. It's sweet that you find me attractive and that you like me, but I kind of have my eyes on someone else. No offence you're a great girl and all, but you’re just-”
    “Not your type?”
    “Exactly.”
    “Yeah, Sienna told me, I guess I just didn't want to believe it and I wanted to see for myself.”
    “So this is why you wanted me to come to the movies with you guys the other day?”
    “Yeah, dumb, right?” Ivy kept her head down in embarrassment, “Still think I'm cute?”
    There was a slight pause, Jake looked at Ivy, and she felt his eyes all over her but kept her head down.
    “Ivy,” he lifted her cheek and looked into her eyes. “I meant what I said, you're a great looking girl, you're very talented and you're beautiful. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise, and if they do, then they are the ones who are idiots.”
    A shade of red covered Ivy, again. No one had ever called her great looking or beautiful, ever. She had known Jake a long time, and this was one side of him that she had never seen before. He brushed her cheek as she stared deep into his eyes.
    “Jake, has anyone told you that you have the most beautiful eyes. I'm mesmerized whenever I stare into them.”
    Jake smiled, his crystal white teeth putting Ivy at ease, “Thanks, Ivy I get that a lot. So we’re okay?”
    “Yeah, we’re okay,” she smiled back at him and finished her drink. “So this girl, anyone I know?” Ivy asked.
    Jake looked at her, trying not to be too obvious, “Um…No! Just someone I know, a friend. So what are the plans for tonight?” he asked, quickly avoiding the subject.
    “Not much actually, I was going to head over to your place after work. Seeing as I ditched Sienna for lunch, she’s asked me to come over for dinner. Are you going to be around or are you heading to band practice?”
    “I actually have the night off tonight. As I