The Café

Chapter 9

"So what's going on with Tom Price?" Georgia questions as she lays on my bed.

It had been a few days since I came home. I was feeling pretty much my normal self, the only thing that was different was my mind was a mess. I found myself dreaming of Link and the hot, electric fireworks when we touched. Then am constantly reminded of Tom by his frequent messages and flowers. I still wasn't sure where my head was.

"I'm not really sure..." I admitted to Georgia truthfully. Sure, I liked Tom. Who wouldn't? When a celebrity from out of town takes and interest in you its like a dream come true! He was sweet most of the time, but he was also a huge ladies man and super egotistical.

"Are you guys catching up?" She pressed further. Wanting all the information she could get.

"Well, we are actually..." I answered. I had forgotten to invite her to the surf day on Saturday. "I was invited to a surf day with the 4 guys on Saturday. I was told to bring some friends?" I already knew she would be 100% in.

Georgia nearly fell off of the bed in excitement.

"OH MY GOD!!! I'm going to have to pick out a swimsuit. I'm going to look through your stash now! I do really like your red bikini. You weren't going to wear it were you?" She asked while practically jumping over my desk chair to get into my closet. The words were coming out of her mouth so fast I could barely understand them.

Soon swimwear is flying through the air as she frantically searches through my drawers.

"The red one would look hot!" I encourage as she locates the one she was talking about.

"Which one are you thinking of wearing?" Georgia asks as she comes out of my closet with an armful of items.

I hadn't even thought about it in truth. I was so nervous and I still wasn't sure if my scars would have healed by then. They appear to be very faint today, so in 2 days' time they should be completely gone.

My phone vibrates on my bedside table while I watch Georgia's swimsuit show.

Tom: What are you up to Tessie?

I hate that he has given me a nickname. How presumptuous.

"Who was that?" Georgia asks curiously.

"Tom..." I answer shyly. Georgia's eyes widen as she stops mid fashion show spin and plops on the bed beside me watching over my shoulder as I type my reply.

Me: My friend Georgia is trying on some swimwear for the beach on Saturday. You?

He replies almost instantly.

Tom: Ohh nice but I'm more interested in what you've chosen? ;)

I don't know whether to giggle or groan at his reply. So flirtatious, which is nice but I can't shake the thought that I am just one of the many he is currently flirting with. The image of him with the red leggings girl at the pub flashing in my mind.

"So what are you going to wear?" Georgia presses.

I remember the navy blue bikini my Mum got me for my birthday recently It has an embroidered pattern of dark navy thread covering the bikini with brown wooden beads on the strings. I haven't had the opportunity to wear them yet so this seemed like the perfect time.

"My new ones? The navy ones." I suggest. Georgia gasps in approval.

"I forgot about those! Absolutely perfect!" She nods enthusiastically.

A few minutes later, my phone vibrated again. I roll my eyes as I realize I didn't reply to Tom, so he's probably messaging to get some response.

I check my phone;

Unknown number: Hi Tess, it's Link. I'm just checking in to see how you're doing? I need to apologize for my behavior the last few times we've met. It's no excuse, but I have had a lot going on recently. I really do hope we can start again.

I am dumbfounded. How random. My heart is pounding while reading the message. Georgia notices.

"You ok Tess? I can hear your heart pounding!" She states. Damn wolf hearing.

"Ummm.. yea I'm fine. I think..." I answer quietly.

I explain the whole thing to her. The scent. The touch. The glares. The rigidness. All of it. The whole situation with Tom and how uncertain I am about it all.

Georgia just sits and listens, taking it all in, until I am finished.

"So, what you're telling me is; you are weirdly drawn to this Link guy, who has been practically ignoring your presence, and Tom is all up in your grill, but he is a well-known ladies man and full of himself?" Georgia confirms, making sure she had the gist of my situation. I nod in agreement, indicating she had it correct.

She sits there in thought for a while. I fidget with my hands.

"I have absolutely no idea," She finally says honestly. I groan and throw myself back on the bed.

"I know!" I sigh in frustration.

"I mean it's Tom Price! But you have a good point about the girls. You did say you get sparks when he touches you though?" She argues.

"Nothing compared to those with Link. Just a light touch on the hand and I nearly jumped on him!" I admit shyly.

"Maybe it was the painkillers?" Georgia tries. "You were on some pretty strong stuff in the hospital..."

"I bloody hope so. This is so messed up." I sigh. I couldn't even remember Georgia coming in to visit me then.

"Well, I need to head to work. I'll tell Issy about Saturday when I see her - we've got shifts together tonight." Georgia stands up, collecting my red bikini no her way out the door. "We will talk more tomorrow!" She adds hopefully while closing the door behind her.

I look at my phone. I desperately want to reply to Link. I type about 5 replies before I settle for this:

Me: Hi Link, I'm doing ok thank you. How are you? I hope everything is ok - I was worried I done something to piss you off.

The second I press 'send' my whole body becomes a ball of butterflies. I am so nervous. Will I get a short, cold reply? Will I get this new kind Link?

My phone vibrates. I feel my palms sweat.

Link: Yea, I'm really good now. You definitely didn't - Tom just comes with a lot of extras. Are you still coming surfing on Saturday?

I feel my body instantly relax. The nervous butterflies were replaced with excited ones. I don't know how he has such an influence on me through text messaging.

Me: Oh, I know - he is a lot. I certainly am! The swell looks like it's going to be a good day for it. Are you still coming?

Link: I can't wait! It's been too long since I've been down for a surf. Are you going to come to the Pack BBQ on Sunday?

Conversation with Link seems to flow so easily. Its like messaging someone I had known for years. I find myself getting giddy like a school girl when I see his name on my screen.

Me: I'm not too sure. We don't usually go to them. Are you?

I still had no idea what he position is in the Alphas circle. He was obviously in there somewhere but I hadn't identified where.

Link: I will be there. Hopefully you will be too.

My heart stops. Did he want me there? I decide to act coy with my reply. I didn't want to lay it all out there when I haven't even seen this new version of him in person yet.

Me: Maybe you will.

I don't get a reply and I am a little disappointed. I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth before heading to bed.

When I return I have a new message. I practically skip to my phone to read it.

Tom: So?

??

I am disappointed. I quickly write a short reply.

Me: Not sure yet. Haven't decided. I'm heading to bed - night!

Tom replies instantly.

Tom: Dream sweet dreams of me!

Tom: Or not so sweet! ;)

I roll my eyes. I am not responding to that.