Until I Met You

by Jaimie Roberts

“Angelina, why did you not tell me about this Seth Jacobs guy? Who is he, and why are you hiding him from us?”

  Oh God, Oh God, oh God.

  “I can’t deal with this right now. His car is right outside the freakin house, Julia.” Just as I said that there was a knock at the door.

  “I’ll get it!” I heard my mum shout.

  If I thought my panic couldn’t get any worse, I was wrong. “Oh shit, Julia, I’ve got to go, he’s here!”

  Julia gasped. “Oh goodie. We’re coming over.”

  “Noooo!” I protested again, but it was already too late. She hung up on me. Now my whole family was going to meet him. What has he got himself into, and why oh why had he come all this way to Cornwall?

  I couldn’t think too long as the door was open and Seth’s voice could be heard down the hall. “Hi, I’m Seth Jacobs, a very good friend of Angelina. I came here to visit. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion?”

  “No, not at all,” my mum’s chirpy voice called.

  “I take it that you are her sister?”

  My mother giggled and I rolled my eyes. I could already tell by the sound of her voice that she was smitten.

  I walked out of the living room and into the hall. Sure enough, my eyes were not deceiving me. Seth was there with two of the biggest goddamn bunches of flowers I had ever seen, and sporting the biggest, sexiest grin he could muster.

  “Good morning, Angel. How’s your head today?”

  My mother looked as though she had just heard the most shocking news ever. My dad came out of the kitchen to see what all the fuss was about, and my mum just stared at him, mouth wide open.

  Turning to me, she glared and pursed her lips. “He calls you Angel? You never let anyone call you, Angel, apart from your father. Angelina, I’m very disappointed in you. Why didn’t you tell me about this lovely young man? Come in, come in.” She waved him through, her face in all a fluster.

  Seth strolled through the door and handed my mother one of the flowers. “This is for you, Mrs Bradshaw.”

  “Please, call me Rachel—or even Mum will do.”

  “Mum!” I shouted. Could this be more embarrassing?

  Seth just smiled, taking it all in his stride. If he went to the trouble of following me here, then he will just have to deal with the consequences. Let my mother at him!

  “And these are for you, Angelina.”

  I gracefully took the flowers from him, but I didn’t take much notice. Our eyes were too busy locked on one another to notice anything. In pure instinct, I thanked him and before we knew it, my mother had us ushered into the kitchen and offering Seth some breakfast.

  “No, it’s okay, Mum, I had some before I got here.”

  My mum blushed and smiled. She looked like she’s about to burst with energy if she didn’t slow down soon.

  I glared at Seth, but he just shrugged his shoulders, smiling. “You do know what you’ve opened yourself up to?” I whispered towards him.

  “Yes,” he said grinning. “Jonathan filled me in on that front.”

  My eyes widened. I couldn’t believe Jonathan had done this. He’s obviously gone and told him everything about my family. Has he even given him my parents address? I’ve got a huge bone to pick with Jonathan when I get back.

  “Is that yours out there, son?” My dad was still at the window admiring the Jaguar.

  “Yes, I got her a couple of weeks ago.”

  “Cookie?” I asked, with one eyebrow raised.

  It didn’t take long for that cheeky grin to appear. “Yes, I thought you’d like that?”

  “What’s the significance?” My dad tried to look at him, but he was obviously finding it hard to tear his eyes away from the car.

  “It’s my little pet name for Angelina.”

  My mother sat next to me, gushing at Seth, but looking none too pleased with me. “Angelina, you two obviously have a lot of history here and you failed to mention this to me yesterday. Why?”

  I crossed my arms in front of me feeling annoyed at her question. Seth looked over, just as eager to hear the answer as my mother. “There’s nothing to tell, okay? He’s one of my clients. We met about a month ago at a viewing and that’s it.”

  Seth sighed and shook his head. “Angel, it’s more than that, and you know it. It certainly felt that way when you kissed me yesterday.”

  My mother’s posture immediately picked up. “You’ve kissed him?”

  Feeling like I needed to defend myself, I uncrossed my arms and waved my hands to him. “He kissed me.” I sank back in my chair and folded my arms again.

  My mother just seemed baffled as she looked across at Seth. With his full wattage smile he winked at her. My mother instantly blushed. It would seem that nobody was immune to his charms.

  “I really like your daughter, Mrs Bradshaw.” My mother gave him a warning look. “Sorry, Rachel.” He smiled and she nodded. “Ever since she practically ram raided herself into my life I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. I would very much like it if she would come out on a date with me one evening, but every time I ask, she runs away.”

  My mother turned to me, confusion written all over her face. “Do you like him?”

  Oh God, there’s that word. I do like him. I more than like him. I just don’t want to let him in. “I don’t have to answer that.”

  My mother instantly laughed and grabbed one of Seth’s arms. “She likes you.”

  “Rachel, don’t you think we should leave these two to talk? They look like they need it.” My dad motioned for my mum to get up and she reluctantly walked toward the hallway with my dad.

  Just before she was out the door, she turned. “I hope you will be staying for dinner tonight, Seth?” My mum glanced over to Seth with hope in her eyes.

  “Yes, that would be lovely, thank you. I’m actually here until Sunday. I’m staying at the B&B down the road.”

  Laying her hand on the door, she smiled. “Oh, Charlie’s you mean?”

  Seth nodded. “Yes, that’s the one.”

  “We have plenty of room here. There’s no reason for you to stay in a B&B. You can take Julia’s old room. Unless of course..?”

  “Mum, seriously?” I couldn’t believe she just said that. In my embarrassment I looked at Seth but all he was doing was grinning from ear to ear. I want the floor to swallow me up.

  “It’s okay, Rachel. I don’t want to upset Angelina. I’ll stay at the B&B.”

  My mother nodded her head, but I knew she wouldn’t give up. “Well, we’ll discuss this later.”

  With her head held high, she walked out, but I could tell there was no way she was going to let this go. She wanted him here whether I liked it or not. I could already see her picking out the flowers for our wedding.

  Talking of which.

  “Now that you’ve bought us flowers and knocked my mum off her feet—you do realise that she’s never going to let you go now?” He started laughing and I watched how his chest rose and fell. He’s not in a suit today. He’s wearing a casual polo shirt and Chinos. Does he have to look sexy in everything he wears?

  “After talking to Jonathan, I was kind of counting on it.”

  I rolled my eyes again. “Boy, you really are a glutton for punishment aren’t you?”

  “Only as far as you’re concerned.” We both looked at one another in silence for a while. I didn’t know what to say to him. I was still in shock that he was even here. Why did he follow me to Cornwall?

  “Why did you run?” He looked worried. I could tell he knew I was a terrible liar when it came to him, but my survival instincts kicked in every time.

  “I just wanted to come home, that’s all. I haven’t seen them since I left for London.” I was trying, but failing miserably, I knew it. He knew it.

  “I meant from me. From what happened between us. I can’t let that kiss go, Angel. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. About an hour or so after you left, Jonathan called about the phone I left behind. I didn’t understa
nd what he meant, so I just took what he said and went to retrieve it. When I saw it was the phone I gave you, it hurt. Jonathan saw my expression and asked me if I liked you. I said yes, more than she realises and that’s when he told me what happened. I think he put two and two together when you asked to leave so quickly. I told him how I felt about you and he told me all about your family. He also said that if I was to ever hurt you, he would chop my balls off. I told him I was very attached to my balls.”

  The laughter came spilling out. That was the funniest thing ever. I could just imagine Jonathan in his office threatening to chop Seth’s balls off. To be a fly on the wall.

  “You see, I can make it happen.”

  “Make what happen?” I asked confused.

  “Make you laugh.” He smiled and leaned forward to touch my cheek. I couldn’t help it. I closed my eyes, savouring the feel of him.

  “Listen, I don’t want to be here if it upsets you. If you really don’t want me here, I’ll go. I promise I will leave you alone and you’ll never have to deal with me again. If that’s what you want of course.” He looked into my eyes, almost pleading that I make the right choice. What is the right choice? I’m so confused—my body, heart, and mind are having an all out battle with one another. I know I don’t want him to leave, but I’m scared of what will happen if he doesn’t.

  His smile is what made up my mind up in the end. It would be hard to ever so no to that smile. “You can stay. I don’t think my mother will ever forgive me if I sent you on your way.” His reaction was one of quiet celebration. I could see the gleam in his eyes and the force of it hit me full on. “On one condition,” I began.

  He sat up straight to attention. He was happy, and looked like he would take about anything from me right now. “Name it, Cookie.”

  “No funny business. No trying to kiss me or touch me inappropriately whilst we’re here.” Because I knew that if he did, my heart would no longer belong to me.

  “It will be hard. Very hard in fact, but I can do that. I want to be here and if it takes not kissing you, then so be it.”

  “Good,” I smiled. I was about to tell him that he didn’t know what he was about to let himself in for this weekend when there was a knock at the door. “Aha!” I shouted. “Let the games begin. Just remember one thing, Seth. You asked for this.” I patted his knee for good measure.

  “Oh, I love it when you say my name. Say it again.”

  “Stop it,” I giggled.

  “Is he here?” I heard Julia shout.

  “Yes,” my mum squealed. You would think the queen of England was round for cup of tea the way they’re all carrying on.

  I looked at Seth but he still looked as cool as a cucumber. Nothing seemed to faze him at all. The only time it really did was that time in the restaurant, his uncle, Paul asking me out, and that kiss. Oh God, that kiss.

  Stop thinking about the bloody kiss!

  Julia and Jack soon entered the room, but suddenly Jack was acting like a jerk, ducking all over the place.

  “What the hell are you doing, Jack?”

  With a smile, he just kept ducking and darting his eyes about the room. “It’s just too much in here. There’s so much chemistry bouncing off the walls I have to keep ducking to get out of the way of it.”

  Shaking my head, I looked up to my sister. “And you married him, Julia.”

  Julia was about to retort, but Jack beat her to it. “Aww, don’t be like that, Angelina. After all, I was about to defend your honour last night. I was ready to punch this guy’s lights out. No offence mate.” He smiled over at Seth and Seth just shrugged his shoulders. “None taken,” he answered. “It’s nice to know that Angelina has such close family and friends that want to take care of her.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Smother her more like.”

  Julia sat down and looked all dreamy across at Seth. “I’m Angelina’s sister, Julia. So nice to meet you.” She offered him her hand and he kissed it. I saw her blush and act all shy.

  Oh boy.

  Julia turned her attention away from him to me. You could tell it was a major effort on her part. “Angelina, where oh where have you been hiding this handsome man?”

  Seth took a big deep breath and sighed. “She hasn’t been hiding me anywhere. She ran yesterday and I came chasing after.”

  I huffed in his direction. “What are you, Jack, and I’m Jill?”

  Seth smiled cheekily again. “I believe she went down a hill and Jack came tumbling after.”

  “Whatever,” I replied, trying to feign interest.

  “I don’t know why you’re bringing me into this.” Jack smiled at us. I could tell they were all fascinated by Seth and I.

  “Why do I feel like a goldfish bowl?”

  Julia slapped my hand. “Now stop being a grumpy little minx. Just ignore her, Seth. She must be premenstrual or something.”

  “Julia!” My eyes bulged at her to shut up. Seth thought the whole thing was highly amusing.

  “So, Seth, let us know a little about yourself.” Julia leaned in with her chin propped up on her hand. She was even flicking her eyelashes at him.

  “Not much to say really. My mum and dad live in Kent, where I was born.”

  “Really, what part?” my dad asked. “We lived in Ashford before Angelina was born.”

  “Same area,” Seth smiled. “But they have moved to Sevenoaks since then.”

  “Isn’t that a coincidence?” My dad looked over at my mum, but she was too busy leering at Seth.

  “I lived there until I was eighteen, when I inherited a trust fund. I wondered for a while what to do with the money and then I came up with the idea to invest it in property. I seemed to make a few wise choices and soon found myself in the very wealthy areas of Belgravia and Chelsea. I like it there, and so does my family. My parents and their brothers and sisters have all bought property there. My parents still use the Kent home as their main residence, and we all use it as many weekends as we can. London can get a bit claustrophobic at times. Sometimes it’s nice to get away from all the people and fumes. I can see why Angelina wanted to come here. It’s quite beautiful.”

  My mum gushed and everyone else hummed their approval. I tried busying myself, making cups of tea and gathering biscuits as everyone fired questions at Seth. I was actually feeling a little sorry for him, despite the fact he brought it all on himself. He seemed to take it all in his stride and answered everyone when asked. He even looked like he was enjoying himself.

  “There is one thing I would really like to know.” My father looked over at Seth once he was satisfied everyone had asked their questions. I was feeling a little nervous about what he wanted to say.

  “What’s that, Mr Bradshaw?” Seth straightened, ready for whatever my dad had to give to him.

  “Please call me Clive,” he asked, smiling. “What I really want to know is, when are you going to take me out for a little spin in that F-Type of yours?”

  Seth and I relaxed and everyone laughed. “Right now if you want to?”

  “Son, you don’t have to ask me twice,” he said, standing to attention.

  Off they went, leaving me with twenty questions from everyone. My head was still reeling from him being here. I just couldn’t believe that he had followed me, after everything that I have done to try and keep him at arm’s length. There’s certainly no way of doing that here. My whole family will make sure of that for me.

  “Why didn’t you tell us about him?” Julia asked.

  “There was nothing to tell.” They all looked at me with interest. Jack had a massive grin on his face.

  “It didn’t seem that way last night. You know she had her hands all over him. In fact, she couldn’t keep them off him. We had to pry her away when it was time to take her home. She also had a thing about his stubble. She couldn’t stop trailing her fingers up and down it. It was quite funny to watch. I’ve never seen Angelina like that with anyone before.”

  Julia and my mum looked more than a little pleas
ed at this. “Come on, Julia. Admit it. You really like him, don’t you?” Julia pulled a little on my sleeve, trying to get the answer she was so desperately looking for. What they were all looking for.

  “If I told you yes, would you leave me alone?” They all eagerly nodded and said “Oh yes” and “of course, definitely.”

  “I do like him, okay? He just drives me a little crazy.”

  “That’s because you like him so much,” my sister chimed.

  “Okay, whatever you say. Just don’t let him know I said that.” Their expressions were sad. I knew they wanted me to be happy. That’s why they were causing so much fuss, but I have always managed in life. I have been happy. I’ve been safe. Now I don’t feel safe.

  “Why is it so hard to let someone in, Angelina? He seems like a really nice guy. What happened was in the past. You can’t take it back, but you have to move on now. He might be the love of your life—the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

  I felt a lump forming at my mum’s words. “Please don’t talk about it, Mum. I don’t want to hear it.” I got up and walked out. I didn’t want to hear what they had to say. It was all getting a bit too close for comfort. This was the whole reason why I didn’t want anything to do with Seth.

  I could hear them all talking in the kitchen and I knew it was all about me. Soon, Jack came in the living room, where I was huddled, clutching my sides.

  “Hey, kiddo.”

  “Hey,” I said back.

  “Listen; don’t be mad at your mum. You know she’s only trying to help. She wants you to be happy. We all want you to be happy.” He shifted his weight a little on the sofa, ready to offer any comfort if I needed it. Jack was my best friend and we had been together through thick and thin. Literally.

  “I know, Jack, it’s just—none of it had been mentioned before now. As soon as Seth enters my life, it’s practically thrown back in my face. I don’t want to re-live it through him. I just want to be left alone.”

  “Come here,” he said, wrapping his arms around me. “Look, one day you’re going to have to trust someone enough to let them in. Not every guy out there is an arsehole. Even though I was protective of you last night, it doesn’t mean he isn’t a decent guy. Once I knew you knew him, I let my walls down and accepted him. On first impressions, it looks as though he really likes you. I can see the way he looks at you. It’s certainly not the look of a man just out to get into your knickers. He followed you all the way here for goodness sake. Despite the fact you’re a little bitch to him.”