Clary: A fresh start

Chapter 9

Clary and Jace arrived at Takis
"2?" The man behind the counter was no taller than 6"4', he had black hair, hazel eyes, and he clearly worked out.
"Yes sir. Do you have any booths available?"
"Of course. Follow me."
We followed the very tall man to the back of the restaurant as he guided us to an open booth against a wall. The place was beautiful. Not very many windows but it was still bright inside. The booth seats wear a dark grey color which accented the light yellow walls beautifully.
"This place is stunning."
The guy from behind the counter put the menus down, "your waiter will be with you any moment."
"Thank you sir."
"It really is, isn't it. Alec, Izzy, and I used to come here all the time when we were younger. It was our place."
I opened up the menu and saw all of the options. Chicken, tofu, pancakes, there were foods that I used to eat when I lived down south.
"Y'all really were spoiled. This places has so many options."
"I still can't get over the fact that a girl born in New York says y'all."
"I grew up down south. I still dont get your point. Now what's good here."
"The pancakes are to die for."
"Ok, I'll get pancakes then."
"So trusting?"
"Don't make me regret hanging out with you Golden Boy."
"You love me to much to admit that you had a bad time hanging out with me."
"What are you getting?"
"Waffles and a hot chocolate."
"Jace, it's almost September and your getting a hot chocolate."
"Always."
I couldn't help but laugh at him. It's the end of the summer and he's drinking hot chocolate. He better be getting a water with it.
"Don't make fun of me Red."
"I'm not."
He laughed at me. I can't lie to him he sees right through it. There's something different about him. I like it.
"Hello, my name is Bat. I will be you waiter for today. What can I start you off with."
He had a darker skin tone and he was a fairly skinny young looking male.
"I will take a hot chocolate please."
"And for you miss?"
"I'll take a water. Thank you."
"I'll be right out with your drinks."
He walked away and I noticed Jace examining my face as I looked around at the pictures that were hanging from the wall.
"It's not nice to stare."
He got all flustered and he started blushing.
"Is the Jace Herondale blushing."
"You know my last name."
"Your father was my fathers best friend. Don't think I didn't know that."
"Oh, um. I'm sorry Clary."
"Don't be. There's nothing to be sorry about."
He looked down at the table and I reached out and I fixed his hair. As I touched him it felt like electricity flew through my arm.
He looked up at me and smiled. That was a dead give away that he felt it too. His eyes golden eyes were all I could focus on. They were amazing.
"Clary, you are so beautiful."
He took my hand and put it in the middle of the table and put it in between his two hands. It felt like an electric storm was going on inside of me. I blushed.
"Thanks, your not to bad yourself."
Bat came back with our drinks.
"So what can I get you two."
"I'll have waffles and she'll have a short stack of pancakes." Jace never once broke eye contact with me.
"Ok. I will be right out with your food"
Jace let go if my hand and he laughed. I don't know what he found funny.
"What's so funny?"
"Your brother is going to kill me, but it's worth it."
"Fuck him. He can get passed his little protective act he pulls with me. I've been through more than he can even imagine."
"You're just so beautiful. I can't get over it."
It was my turn to be flustered. I felt my face go bright red. This has never happened to me before. Me, Clary Morgenstern blushing over a guy she just met. Who am I becoming.

After they eat

"Why was that so good?"
"The chef is a genius Clary, I'm telling you."
"You should learn to cook like this. I'd be over every morning."
"Thanks for the tip." He winked at me.
"Let's go pay."
We both got up and walked up to the counter and Jace paid because I didn't bring any money to his house yesterday. I told him I would pay next time.
"So there is going to be a next time." He looked down at me. I suddenly realized how tall he is. Or it could just be that I'm tiny. He looked me up and down and it sent shivers down my spine. He noticed and smiled to himself. He looked back at the am behind the counter as he was getting his change back.
"Thank you sir. You ready Red."
I nodded and he put his arm around my waist which made me flinch. We walked out of the heavy wooden doors together.
"Jace."
He looked down at me and kissed the top of my head.
"Jace. Listen to me."
"I'm listening Little Red."
"I can't do this. We can't be and we. I have done so many bad things, and I don't want you to be in the cross fire when it comes back bite me in the ass. And besides, I can't destroy you."
"So your dad did teach you that love is to destroy."
I looked up at him in such dismay.
"What? How do you know that."
"Our fathers were best friends and both suffered because they loved someone. Clary, we are not our parents and if someone or something comes after you because of what you did in the past, I will be there for you. Your past does not always define us."
"Take me back to your place."
"Anything you want."
He ordered an Uber to take us back to the Lightwood's house. It was a heavy dude, blonde hair, and he smelled really nice with a car he clearly took care of. Jace opened the door ushering me to go in first, I got into the car and he followed in right behind me. Jace and the driver had a short conversation that I wasn't able to pay attention to, I had so much going through my mind. Jace noticed and he put his hand on my shoulder. I flinched because I wasn't expecting it.
"Are you okay Clary."
"Yeah. Yeah. I just have a lot on my mind."
"I'm always here for you. Never forget that Red."
I rested my head on his chest. I was to short for his shoulder so this was the best I could do. HE out his arm around me and he stroked my head. It felt oddly comforting.
"I love you Jace."
"I love you too, Clary."