His Little Sage

Chapter Two: Baby Pictures

Sage

I was beyond mortified. I was sure that it was plain on my face just how embarrassed I was. Stupid juice boxes pulling me in with their delicious magic ways.

I'd just spent a half hour in my mother's co-worker's fridge drinking up all his juice boxes.

I hadn't even asked for them!

To make matters even worse here he was, standing in front of me with a weird look on his face.  It was probably because my mouth was hanging open and my eyes were the size of softballs.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to drink up all your juices! " I began in a rush. I had better manners than this. I didn't want him to think that I was a thief. What do you call someone who takes stuff without asking?

Oh right.

"I was just thirsty and couldn't find any water bottles because they were all on the refreshments table and I couldn't go back out there or I would questions about my life.  Then I'd have to lie and I don't like doing that." I say and suck in a much needed breath of air.  I'd rushed in hopes to explain it clearly and quickly to him that it wasn't what it seemed before he'd kick me and my mother out for taking his stuff. He doesn't say anything for a short period , he just looks at me and I begin to think the worst.  My mother was going to kill me if I got her kicked out over a silly juice box. I'd never hear the end of it. His booming laughter pulls me out of my thoughts and I frown at him. Why does he keep laughing at me? Nothing I just said to him was remotely funny but there he was, holding his sides and laughing the day away.

Jerk. 

He must've seen the look on my face because he composed himself and shook his head lightly.

"It's quite alright." He tells me and he pats my shoulder soothingly. I exhale in relief but I keep looking at him to make sure he wasn't just saying that.  A soft smile rest on his lips and he doesn't seem too bothered that I was in his stuff. I began to relax a little more feeling better about him not being mad.

"You're welcome to anything in my house," He says generously but holds up his index finger to signal that he has something to add. "As long as I know what it is first. To make sure it's safe for you."

I look at him and nod.  He seemed to be very caring even though he has only just met me and in the same instance found out I was stealing juices. I could tell he was protective and I wondered if it was because he had children of his own. I don't dare ask him because I don't want to pry into his personal life, then he'd think I was a thief and a spy. I giggle mentally at the idea of being a spy before my subconscious reminds me that I still haven't congratulated him for his accomplishments.  That was the whole point of this party.

"Congratulations." I tell him and he grins a me. "I heard from your co-workers that your very good at your job."

"Thank you, Sage." My name rolls of his tongue like honey, coated in an accent I still can't place. I wanted to say it was English but I wasn't completely sure.

"Where are you from? " I ask curiously and I hoped it wasn't too intrusive. He was older and I didn't know what he found to be considered  'too much information'. 

"I was born in Great Britain but my family moved into the States when I was seven." He informs me as he pulls another juice box out of the fridge. His large hands gingerly takes the straw off the side of the packaging and pokes it through the hole before handing it to me and I blush a little taking it. I didn't know why, but he made me so giddy. Just one look made me giggly and nervous. 

"What do you say?" He asks with the arch of one of his sculpted eyebrows and I frowned confused until it hits me and I mumble a quiet 'thank you' around my straw.