Chapter 44

Yoko

The soft nudge of a cold, wet nose against my cheek stirred me from my sleep. Groaning, I turned my head, only to be met with Ham's enthusiastic face. His tail wagged furiously as he nudged me again, clearly eager for some attention.

"Alright, alright," I mumbled, sitting up as Ham happily flopped beside me on the bed, his golden fur shining in the morning light. "Good morning to you too, Ham." I scratched behind his ears, his favourite spot, earning an excited woof in response.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand, only to be greeted by a message that instantly brought a smile to my face.

Faye

Good morning, Darling. Are you nursing a hangover, or are you one of those annoyingly resilient drinkers?

I chuckled, quickly typing a reply.

Yoko

No hangover here. I'm totally good. Why, did you want to check on me or tease me?

Her response was almost immediate.

Faye

Both, obviously. But I'm also wondering if you'd like to head out today?

Yoko

Where to?

Faye

The bookstore. I need to grab a few books. Plus, it's our favourite kind of errand, isn't it?

Books? Yes, please.

Yoko

Books? Say no more. I'm in.

Faye

Great. I'll come get you in an hour. See you soon.

Smiling, I set my phone down and slid out of bed, Ham immediately trailing behind me as I headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower and some effort to freshen up, I stood in front of my wardrobe, contemplating what to wear. Casual, comfy—but still nice, right?

I finally settled on a cropped beige t-shirt paired with high-waisted, loose-fit jeans. Simple, casual, and perfect for the day. Checking myself in the mirror, I nodded in approval. "You're ready, Yoko," I told myself, grinning.

Heading downstairs, I fell into my usual routine—filling Ham's bowl with food and changing his water. As I worked, I heard the hum of a car pulling into the driveway.

"Who's that, Ham?" I teased, glancing at him. Ham had already trotted to the window, his tail wagging like a propeller as he peered outside. His wide, goofy grin was all the confirmation I needed.

"Of course, it's her," I muttered, shaking my head with a laugh. Giving Ham one last pat, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

Opening it, I was greeted by the sight of Faye—leaning against her car with that effortless poise that only Faye could pull off. 

She wore a black linen sweater, the fabric hugging her figure in all the right places, paired with sleek, high-waisted denim jeans that gave her an air of casual sophistication. The way her sunglasses perched atop her head, her long hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders, and that faint, knowing smirk on her lips—it was all so quintessentially her.

God, how does she always look this good?

I felt my heart flutter, a warmth spreading through me as I walked towards her. She straightened up when she saw me, her smile softening as I approached. Before I could say a word, her hands found their way to my waist, pulling me close until we were just a breath apart.

"Good morning, Darling," she murmured, her tone warm and affectionate. Her eyes traced my face, lingering just long enough to make me feel giddy.

"Morning," I replied, my voice a little breathless as I met her gaze. Being this close to her always felt intoxicating.

She tilted her head slightly, her fingers brushing against my waist. "You look good. Casual suits you," she said with a playful smirk.

"Look who's talking," I teased, taking a moment to admire her again. "You could be on the cover of a magazine right now."

She chuckled, shaking her head before stepping back to open the passenger door for me. "Get in," she said smoothly, gesturing with a small flourish.

"Ever the gentlewoman," I teased, sliding into the seat as she gently closed the door behind me.

Watching her walk around to the driver's side, I couldn't help but smile to myself. She made everything look so graceful, so natural.

As she slid into the driver's seat and started the car, she glanced at me, her expression soft but amused. "I'm guessing you haven't had breakfast yet?"

"Guilty," I admitted, laughing lightly.

"Good thing I'm here to take care of you," she said, her tone laced with affection. "Let's grab some breakfast first. Any preferences?"

"Anywhere's fine," I replied, leaning back in my seat, already feeling completely at ease. "As long as I'm with you."

She glanced at me with a smile that made my heart skip a beat before pulling out of the driveway and driving us off to start our day.

We pulled up at a charming, cosy café tucked away on a quiet street, the kind of place that felt like a hidden gem with its warm, rustic vibes and the faint hum of chatter from inside.

Faye parked the car effortlessly, stepping out first and circling around to open the door for me. She flashed me a small smile as I got out, and together, we walked into the café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee immediately enveloping us.

We found a snug little table by the window, the morning sun streaming through the glass and casting a soft glow over the wooden interiors. After placing our orders, Faye leaned back in her chair, her gaze resting on me.

"So, are you ready for the Edinburgh trip?" she asked casually, but I could sense the genuine interest behind her tone.

I shrugged slightly, fiddling with the edge of my napkin. "I'm starting to feel ready, I think. It's exciting, but at the same time, there's so much to prepare."

She nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. It's a beautiful city, and the experience will be worth it."

I sighed, leaning forward a little. "You know, it'd be even better if it were just the two of us going. A little getaway without anyone else tagging along."

Her lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "Don't you worry about that," she said, her voice low and comforting. "The time will come for that too, Darling."

I smiled back, feeling a sense of ease wash over me, and the conversation drifted to lighter topics. As our coffee arrived, I decided to share something that had been amusing me for days.

"So, there's this thing about Marissa I haven't told you yet," I began, watching her sip her coffee with mild curiosity. "Do you remember me mentioning her? She's part of my gang with Ink and Big."

Faye raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Yoko... you do realise I know who Marissa is, right? I teach almost every student in this school for English Literature."

"Oh... right," I said, laughing sheepishly. "Anyway, Marissa was at this bar where I work, and guess who we saw there? Anna."

Faye paused, her coffee cup halfway to her lips. "Anna?" she echoed, her voice calm but edged with recognition.

"Yeah, Anna. You know, the one who got—" I stopped myself quickly, realising where this was going. "Uh, yeah. Anyway, Anna totally hit on Marissa at the club a while back."

Faye set her cup down with a small thud, her smirk widening. "Anna? Pretty name. Doesn't suit her face, though."

That comment sent me into a fit of laughter, and I covered my mouth to stifle it. "God, you're so mean."

"Am I wrong?" she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Poor Marissa, though. She doesn't deserve that."

"Don't worry, Ink and I are going to tell her all about Anna. But, uh..." I hesitated, twirling my fork idly. "We'll probably leave out certain details about a certain someone punching her."

Faye chuckled softly, shaking her head in amusement. "Good call," she said with a wink. "I don't need any more drama tied to that."

We both laughed together, the sound light and carefree, as the morning unfolded into something simple yet deeply cherished—just us, coffee, and a world that felt entirely ours.

After breakfast, we hit the road again, the hum of the car's engine filling the air. I leaned back against the passenger seat, feeling content and at ease, my gaze drifting to the scenery outside as it blurred by. The remnants of our earlier conversation and laughter still lingered, a quiet warmth that wrapped around me.

"So," I started, turning to look at Faye. "Which bookstore are we going to?"

She kept her eyes on the road, her lips curving into a small smile. "The one in the next town over. It's a little further, but it's quiet, and not many people we know would be there."

I hummed in agreement, instantly understanding her reasoning. Faye was always so cautious and thoughtful, making sure we stayed under the radar.

It wasn't just about avoiding gossip or curious eyes; it was about protecting both of us. We didn't need unnecessary drama—or worse, the potential consequences of being spotted together by someone from school. It could jeopardise Faye's work and probably land me in trouble too.

"I get it," I said softly, my voice filled with appreciation. "Thank you for always thinking about these things."

She glanced at me briefly, her smile widening slightly. "Of course. It's for us, you know."

Her words made my heart flutter, and I couldn't help but smile back. The rest of the drive was peaceful, with soft music playing in the background as we shared occasional glances and comments about the scenery.

When we finally arrived, the bookstore stood like a hidden treasure—a charming, quiet shop tucked away in a quaint part of the town. Its exterior was lined with ivy, and the large windows displayed rows of books, promising endless stories waiting to be discovered.

Faye parked the car and turned to me, her expression relaxed. "Let's go in."

I followed her out of the car, and as we approached the entrance, I couldn't resist asking, "So, what are you planning to get?"

She shrugged lightly, her lips quirking into a playful smirk. "I don't know yet. I just want to see what calls out to me."

I grinned at her response, a little excitement bubbling up inside me. "Well, if you need suggestions, I can recommend a few."

She tilted her head, her gaze soft and curious. "Sure, Darling. Can't wait to hear what you've got in mind."

​​As soon as we stepped inside, I was captivated by the warm, inviting atmosphere of the bookstore.

It wasn't just a place to buy books—it was a haven. Rows upon rows of bookshelves filled the space, and there were cozy nooks with armchairs and small tables where you could sit down and read. To my surprise, there was even a small café tucked in the corner, with the comforting aroma of coffee wafting through the air.

"I didn't know places like this existed," I said, my voice filled with awe as I turned to Faye.

She shot me a playful wink. "Now you do." 

Without a second thought, she reached for my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine as we walked deeper into the aisle of bookshelves together. Her touch was warm and steady, grounding me even as my excitement grew.

"So," Faye began, her tone light and teasing. "What are the books you'd recommend for me?"

I hummed in thought, scanning the shelves around us. "Let's start with some classics. Something timeless, you know?"

I began searching, my fingers trailing over the spines of books, but I couldn't seem to find the one I had in mind. 

"It should be here somewhere..." I muttered to myself, my brow furrowing in concentration.

Faye leaned against the shelf, watching me with amusement. "Take your time, Darling. No rush."

A moment later, she straightened up and said, "It's fine if you can't find it. I'll go ask someone at the counter." Before I could protest, she squeezed my hand reassuringly and strolled off.

Determined to find the book myself, I continued my search. Finally, after some effort, I spotted it—a beautifully bound copy of Wuthering Heights. "Gotcha!" I exclaimed softly, triumphant. 

Turning around, I expected to see Faye coming back toward me, but then I remembered she had gone to ask for help. Clutching the book, I wandered through the aisles in search of her. That's when I saw her—standing at the counter, casually conversing with a woman.

The woman, who appeared to be around Faye's age or maybe slightly younger, was clearly checking her out. Her eyes lingered on Faye a little too long, and the smile she gave was far from professional. She even leaned forward slightly, as if trying to close the gap between them.

Faye, ever so composed, didn't seem fazed by the woman's subtle advances. She nodded politely, her body language cool and detached. But to me? Oh, I was boiling inside. My grip on the book tightened as I watched the scene unfold, my jaw clenching.

Seriously? Right in front of me?

I took a slow, deliberate step forward, keeping my eyes trained on the scene at the counter. Just as I got closer, I heard the woman say something that made my eye twitch.

"You're really attractive," she said, her voice dripping with an obvious flirtation. "I bet you have people lining up just to spend time with you."

I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. Is she for real?

Faye, to her credit, remained calm and unbothered, offering nothing more than a polite smile in response. 

But I wasn't going to let this go on any longer. Sliding in smoothly, I walked up to Faye and placed my arm firmly around her waist, pulling her close to me.

"I found the book, Babe," I said, making sure my voice was soft yet loud enough for the woman to hear. My fingers brushed against Faye's hip possessively, as if to underline my claim.

Faye turned her head to look at me, her lips curving into a small, amused smile. "Good job," she said warmly, her tone casual but her eyes dancing with mischief.

The woman at the counter froze for a moment, her confidence faltering as she realised what had just happened. Her smile became awkward, and she glanced between Faye and me, clearly caught off guard. 

"Oh, um... glad you found what you needed," she stammered, her tone losing all its earlier bravado.

"Thanks," I said sweetly, making sure to keep my arm snug around Faye's waist. "My girlfriend here has great taste—both in books and, well, everything else."

Faye chuckled softly under her breath, clearly enjoying my little display of territorial jealousy. As we walked away from the counter, her lips brushed against my ear, and she whispered, "Jealous, are we?"

I rolled my eyes playfully, huffing. "What do you think?"

She smirked, leaning in to murmur, "You're adorable when you're jealous, Darling."

I shrugged, pretending to be nonchalant. "What can I say? I know what's mine."

Faye's hand slipped down to give my waist a playful squeeze. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."

We found a quiet table near the corner of the bookstore, the kind of spot that felt almost magical with the soft hum of conversations and the warm scent of coffee wafting from the café nearby. I handed the book to Faye as we sat down, sliding it across the table toward her.

"This is it," I said, watching her as she picked it up and eyed the cover. "It's a really good one. I think you'll like it."

Faye arched an eyebrow as she turned the book over in her hands, studying the back cover. "Why do you like this one?" she asked, her voice curious but still carrying that cool, unruffled tone she always had.

"It's the complexity," I began, leaning forward slightly. "The way the author weaves the characters' struggles into this intricate narrative, making you feel like you're living through it all with them. It's messy, raw, but so real. There's something about that honesty that's... gripping."

Faye tilted her head slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "That's impressive," she said softly, her eyes flickering back to the book. "Didn't know you were into this kind of thing."

I grinned, the mischievous spark already igniting in my mind. "Of course," I teased, leaning back and folding my arms casually. "My taste is impeccable. I mean, I also happen to like women who are English literature teachers."

Faye's gaze lifted to meet mine, her eyebrow quirking. I wasn't done yet.

"Women," I continued, "who are... what was it again?" I tapped a finger against my lips as if deep in thought before mimicking the overly flirtatious tone of the woman from earlier.

"Attractive and have people lining up just to spend time with."

Faye let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she leaned back in her chair. "Unbelievable," she said, though there was an unmistakable warmth in her tone.

I shrugged, smirking. "I mean, she wasn't wrong," I quipped, gesturing toward her with a slight flourish. "Look at you."

Faye leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table as her lips curved into a sly smile. "You're going to milk that, aren't you?"

"Absolutely," I replied without hesitation, my grin widening.

Faye shook her head again, but I could see the amusement in her eyes, the way her laughter softened her usual composed demeanour.

We sat together in comfortable silence, the kind that didn't need words to fill it. The cozy atmosphere of the bookstore wrapped around us, with the occasional clink of coffee cups in the background and the rustle of pages being turned. I had my book open, but my focus was entirely on Faye.

She was so immersed in her reading, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration as her fingers delicately turned the pages. Her lips, slightly parted, moved faintly as if she were tasting the words on the page.

God, she looked beautiful. I couldn't help but let my eyes trace the sharp lines of her jaw, the way the soft bookstore light highlighted her cheekbones, and the way her long lashes cast shadows across her face.

Just as I thought I was being subtle, Faye's voice broke through the silence without her even looking up from the book. "Like what you see, Baby?"

I froze, my cheeks instantly heating up. "What?" I played it cool, turning my eyes back to my own book. "I wasn't staring."

Faye finally looked up, one eyebrow arched and a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Mm-hmm. Sure, you weren't."

I shrugged nonchalantly, flipping a random page in my book as if I hadn't been caught. "You're imagining things."

"Am I?" she teased, her voice laced with amusement. "I could feel your eyes on me."

I clicked my tongue, refusing to meet her gaze. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Faye chuckled softly and then leaned back in her chair, closing the book. "Alright, I'm hooked. I'm getting this one," she announced, holding it up triumphantly.

"Great choice," I said, standing and grabbing my own book as we made our way to the checkout counter.

When we reached the front, I noticed there were two cashiers: one was the same woman who had been shamelessly flirting with Faye earlier, and the other was a younger guy who seemed more focused on scanning books than chatting up customers.

My eyes darted between the two as our turn approached, and I tugged lightly on Faye's arm, causing her to glance at me curiously.

Just as the woman looked up to call us over, I turned to the person behind us. "Oh, you can go ahead first," I said cheerily, stepping aside and earning a confused glance from Faye.

The other customer thanked us and took our place, heading to the flirtatious woman's counter. We waited patiently until the young lad finished with his customer and called us over instead.

As we approached, Faye finally spoke, her tone dripping with amusement. "I totally know why you did that," she said under her breath, glancing at me with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes, playing it off casually. "Sure you do, Ms Peraya."

Faye stopped in her tracks, her head tilting slightly as her eyes narrowed playfully. "Did you just call me that again?"

I blinked, realizing what I'd said, but instead of backing down, I decided to lean into it. "Yeah, I did. So?"

Her smirk widened, and she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a low, teasing whisper. "Just wait until we get home, Baby. You're asking for it."

My heart skipped a beat, but I held my ground, sticking my tongue out at her briefly before handing over my book to be scanned. She didn't say another word, but the mischievous glint in her eyes told me I'd just signed myself up for whatever "punishment" she had in mind.