Random Drop

19(Part I)

I giggled. "If you think about it, both the idiot and the rookie are to thank for that find. I mean, if the guy didn't say anything about needing to go, the rookie would have tackled him and broken the door."

Jake's eyes widened. "I think you're right on that one, Elina."

"Mum did say I was her bright star."

"Amen to that." Jake raised his bottle to mine and winked at me.

For the past ten minutes, Jake and I talked about his work. He was a cop, well, police officer as he preferred it. He hailed from Hoback, Wyoming, not far from my hometown of Jackson and was currently the sober driver for his buddies annual bar hop in Jackson.

A loud cheer from the bar made Jake roll his eyes. "Animals."

I giggled. "Well. I can tell you're different from them." I said, causing Jake's eyes to land on me.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How am I different from them considering, I, too, am a guy, miss Elina?"

I pulled a face at him. "I wasn't referring to that."

Jake grinned. "I know. But please, enlighten me."

"On second thoughts..." I trailed off. A scoff from Jake made me laugh.

"Elina." Jake said, putting his now empty bottle aside. Our gazes met again and this time no one interrupted. "I've been talking quite a bit about myself for the past ten, care to share a little of your life?"

The sudden change in the air felt strong and I wasn't sure whether it was because it was a direct question or the new song the DJ began to play was louder than the others before it.

"Well..." I began, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. "You already know my name's Elina." Jake smiled, a small nod following it. "To be honest there isn't much to tell. I was born and raised in Jackson. I work as a secretary for my ex boyfriends grandfather's son. I'm twenty four. I have my own apartment. My best friends and I come here every weekend since we left school."

Jake rubbed the back of his head. "Sounds rehearsed."

I frowned. "Pardon?"

His response was to shrug. "What I mean is, I'm not doubting what you said is true, but it's more the answer you come up with on the spot. I get it all the time back home on the job."

"You're saying I'm lying?" I raised an eyebrow in defiance.

Jake shook his head. "It's the automatic response to the 'tell me about yourself' question. It's the top layer. The first line of defense."

"Where is this going exactly?"

Bringing his hands together, Jake paused. "Aside from all that, I mean. You. Who are you. Your likes and dislikes. Favorite book, movie, food. You know the common stuff, the interesting stuff."

"Oh.." I reddened. "Well, I feel stupid now." I fiddled with the bottle in my hand and shifted my gaze.

Jake tutted. "Don't be. Guess I didn't make it clear."

"Mmhm." I kept my gaze on the bottle.

"Carlin!"

Jake and I looked up as the guy from before stopped behind Jake's chair again. "Boys are ready to roll."

Jake shot me a hesitant look. Part of me wondered for one fleeting moment if he would prefer sitting here talking to me than driving around the group of rowdy drunk friends from bar to bar.

Nothing was said as Jake got up from his chair, pushed the bottles into a pile and left a twenty dollar note on the table.

He said something to his friend who ambled off again before rounding the table and offering me his hand so he could help me up.

I felt like I couldn't breath from the sudden closeness of our bodies as Jake smiled at me. When he dipped his mouth beside my ear, I fought a shiver at his closeness.

"Mind if I gave you my number, Elina?"

I swallowed as he pulled away. Something about the way he towered over me was alluring and I felt dizzy.

"I wouldn't mind." I whispered, my eyes landing on his lips. Were they as soft as they looked?

Taking my hand again, I was vaguely aware of the pens pressure on my palm as he wrote down his number. After he released my hand my only thought was about where had the pen come from.

I was dazed and intimidated by Jake and his presence, something I had never experienced before.

"I'll be expecting your call, Elina..."

When he trailed off I realised he was waiting for my surname.

I swallowed, my eyes snapping to his.

"Tiaree." I said. "Elina Tiaree."

"I'll be expecting a call from you Elina Tiaree." he repeated. "I would like to finish this conversation."

My heart flipped. "So would I, Jake..." I trailed off also, frowning when I noticed I hadn't caught his last name.

Jake winked. "I believe you already know it." With that, he collected his coat and left to gather his friends at the bar.

It wasn't until he was holding the door to the club open, and I was staring after him dumbfounded, that it hit me.

"Carlin!"

Jake turned.

A knowing grin spread over his face. "You already knew it."