The Café

Chapter 8

We had spent the whole afternoon cooking. Mum had organised a smorgasbord of food. Roast chickens, homemade bread rolls, baked potatoes, lasagne, zucchini fritters, and arancini balls. She had complied a list of her most delicious dishes for tonight's dinner.

I was dreading it. There was something about Link that I couldn't put my finger on, and Tom was apparently very possessive. He seemed nice enough - but the ego was a lot. I find myself constantly being agitated by his stupid antics. I guess fame and fortune was going to rub off in one way or another. I wonder what he was like before becoming a celebrity? I keep thinking back to the warm feeling when we touch. It was nice. It felt comfortable. I was frequently having a internal battle with myself on whether he was annoying me or I found myself liking him.

Mum had set me up on the couch watching Friends and peeling potatoes when the door bell rang.

They were here.

Sam welcomed the boys at the door and showed them in. Mum greeted them in the hallway as they made their way through our home.

As soon as they walked into the lounge I was engulfed in the scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies again. Heavenly. My wolf was jumping around in anticipation at the scent. I mentally scolded her knowing full well that Link was anything but friendly to me. I locked eyes with Link when he made his way through the door way. His eyes looked full of emotion and were as black as the night sky. He caught my eye contact and immediately looked away. I tried hard to hide by hurt. Still fighting the urge to run over, nuzzle my head in his neck, run my hands through his hair and inhale all of his scent. Tom, thankfully, distracted me from the direction my thoughts were travelling.

"So this is your home!" Tom states while looking around. "It's nice. A bit smaller than I'm used to but still very homely." he adds. I know he is trying to give a compliment but it comes of half hearted. My Mum smiles in gratitude.

"Would any of you like a drink?" Mum asks, forever the hostess.

The boys put in their orders and sit down on the couches and dining room chairs that had been bought in to the lounge. Tom sits right next to me, shifting my feet from resting on the couch to onto his knee. I was surprised at his kind action.

"How are you feeling Tess?" Evan asked me.

"A lot better thanks. Being home has been good - hospital TV is the worst." I grimace.

"100%!" Pete agrees. "Nothing worse than not being able to go anywhere and having no quality entertainment."

"Lucky we arrived then, hey?!" Tom laughs. I smile - he was actually being really sweet.

Tom began running his hand along my shin absentmindedly while watching some of the Friends episode on television.

Link stood up abruptly making everyone turn their heads to him with questioning looks.

"What are you doing mate?" Evan asked him with confusion. Link stood their awkwardly, glancing to Tom and his hand on my leg.

Then he stuttered; "I w-was just.... wondering, um, where the bathroom was?" He looks at Sam for an answer. Sam gives him directions and goes back to flicking through f*******: on his phone.

"He's been acting very strange." Tom muses when Link had left the room.

"Not sure what's going on." Pete answered, "I'll have a chat with him later to see if everything is ok." He adds.

"His Dad is being a pretty big hard arse at the moment." Evan defends, shrugging his shoulders. Clearly he is close to Link.

Tom doesn't seem too phased and changes the subject to the recent Football games.

Not long after my Friends had been changed to the Gold Coast versus Melbourne game.

Link was quiet all night. He was incredibly polite at dinner, even helped my Mum with the dishes once everyone was finished. I couldn't figure him out. He seemed to be a really kind guy to everyone else. I might have to ask Georgia if she knows what his deal is - she knows everyone.

Tom had stuck right beside me all night. I didn't really mind though, when he wasn't being arrogant he could actually be an ok guy. The attention was nice too.

Evan and Pete were like big brothers. They got along with Sam really well. Even invited him to join the packs football team. Sam was super keen - he had been trying to find an in with that team for years but never got close enough with the right people to earn an invite. Seems my rogue attack had been good for something after all!

"Well, I will contact you about Saturday ok?" Tom reminded me. "I have left my phone number on my business card on the kitchen bench." He adds. Who leaves a business card?! And who carries them around 24/7? I add that to the list of strange/annoying things Tom does.

"See ya Tess." Pete says with a smile as he walks out the door and unlocks the car.

Evan messes up my hair as he strides past yelling, "Catch ya on the surf Saturday!" over his shoulder.

Tom follows with a scowl at Evan. He gave me a quick peck on the cheek before winking and heading to the car. He left a warm tingling feeling on my cheek.

Link was the last one to leave. I expected him to just stride on out without a word but he surprised me by grabbing my hand lightly to get my attention. I felt hundreds of sparks on my hand where he touched me. It was such a light touch but it felt like my whole body had been electrocuted continuously and I didn't want it to stop. I felt warm sparks from Tom but this was something else. I noticed the dark colour return to Link's eyes when our eyes met. His body softened at the touch - I found myself wondering if he was feeling the sparks too?

"I really do hope that you are ok." Link sincerely said before letting go of my hand and walking out the front door. I was left standing there utterly, utterly confused. What the hell was that? My wolf was in ecstasy at the touch. I had never felt her like that before.