Free Seeing Black by Sidney Halston

cheek then went to Heather and did the same, but it was awkward
and sweet, and Jill smiled. When the door closed behind him, Jill
went to say something to Heather, but Heather cut her off. “Don’t
even say it. It’s just awkward.”
    “That’s ’cause he likes you.”
    “A week ago, that boy was sure he was madly in love
with you. There’s no way he likes me. Alex made it awkward.”
    “No. Well, maybe he did. But it’s awkward because he
likes you and doesn’t seem to know how to act around you.”
    “I don’t think so, sugar.” Heather began to walk to
her bedroom. Jill followed.
    “Really? Then tell me why we just made plans to go
to a club next week? Never once, in all the years I’ve known Oly,
has he ever mentioned wanting to go dancing. Not once has he made
plans a week in advance. I’m telling you he likes you, really likes
you. You saw how angry he was on the island when that Brian guy
used you. He wanted to kill him.”
    “That’s because that boy has a huge heart. We’re
friends. He felt obligated, as friends , to protect me or
whatever.”
    “Yeah, or whatever,” Jill smirked. “I’m telling you,
he completely forgot I exist from the moment he met you.”
    “Then why all the drama and jealousy all those
months?”
    “I think it was because he thought he loved me for
so long. We were both confused. It’s you he wants.”
    “I don’t know. It’s weird. He’s weird around me.
Uncomfortable. It almost seems as if he doesn’t like me.”
    Jill rolled her eyes. “Think about it. The signs are
all there.” Jill squeezed Heather’s shoulder and walked to her
room.
    ***
    Rocco didn’t seem to be caught off guard when Jillian
entered the small Spanish bistro on the agreed upon Wednesday, hand
in hand with Alexander. He stood and held out his hand. “You must
be Mr. Jacobs?”
    “And you must be the infamous Rocco Taylor,”
Alexander said as he shook Rocco’s outstretched hand.
    “Infamous implies something negative,” Rocco replied
with a toothy smile.
    Left hand still tightly interlaced with Jill and
without any sense of humor, Alexander responded, “Precisely.”
    Jill elbowed Alexander. “Behave,” she countered and
then leaned over to greet Rocco.
    “My dear. You look lovely, as always.” He leaned in
and gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek before gesturing towards
the chair. Alexander pulled out her chair before he sat down
himself. Rocco signaled the waitress, who rushed over.
    “What would you like to drink?” Rocco asked them; he
was already sipping on what appeared to be Sangria. Jill asked the
waitress for a diet soda, and Alexander requested a beer. There
were a few moments of awkward silence as Alexander and Jill looked
at the menu. Jill was so nervous that she paid no attention to the
words on the menu. Noticing the obvious tension, Rocco reached over
and placed his hand on hers and smiled. “You seem a little jittery,
dear.”
    “Nope. I’m fine.” She knew her fake smile didn’t
quite reach her eyes, but seeing Rocco’s reassuring grin set her at
ease.
    Alexander looked at her questioningly but didn’t say
anything. After the waitress came and took everyone’s order,
Alexander broke the ice by speaking first. “I’ll just come right
out and say it. I’m not comfortable with you and Jill meeting. What
exactly do you want with her?”
    “Alexander!” Jill hissed.
    Rocco chuckled and took another sip of his red
fruity drink. “You really care for her, don’t you?”
    “No. I don’t care for her. I’m in love with her, and
I won’t allow her to put herself in danger. I don’t care if you're
her father. She . . .” He looked at Jill as if what he was about to
say would hurt but said it nonetheless. “Well, she tends to be too
trusting.”
    “No, I don’t,” Jill whined.
    Alexander ignored her and continued. “She does, but
that’s because she has a big heart and believes the best in people.
But I’m not her. I’m not naïve, and I