Angelic Woes (need one)

[TheRPGuru]

Everyone on Earth has a guardian angel to watch over them. Absolutely everyone. But they aren't what you might think. When one thinks of angels, one probably thinks of heavenly bodies with bright white feathered wings coming down from heaven itself. The truth is a bit more Earthly than that. Truth of the matter is that angels are in fact servants of the devine, however they aren't exactly angelic forms of folklore. In fact they exist on Earth just like everyday people, humans that wander the planet with the sole purpose of keeping a watchful eye on the human that they had been charged to protect.

Though they live in the real world, they cannot physically affect the person that they protect directly. Angels have past present and future knowledge of the life events of their charge and can only influence external situations in an attempt to protect them. Sometimes this works sometimes it doesn't. It's a game of chance and hope even with angelic help.

For instance if someone was going to be murdered by a criminal, the angel cannot just swoop in and save the person at the moment. Instead the angel can merely influence the criminal to do something else that day, thus preventing future harm from the person they protect.

An angel can directly interact with humans because they exist as humans on Earth. With one exception. They can never be seen by the person that they protect. If they were simply allowed to hang out or marry the person that they protect then the wheels of time would be corrupt around that person as the angel would know all the bad shit that would happen to them and act to help them avoid it.

In rare cases in which this happens the universe reacts to correct and compensate for this. The angel is first striped of all her powers and becomes mortal. Her mortal body and mind becomes passionately in love with the person that they were protecting, in order to act as at least some sort of protective buffer. The universe basically ensures that the human has a wonderful companion for life in compensation of the loss of a celestial protector. Woman end up friends with their angel's for life. BFF's and all that. Men find themselves a caring and wonderful lover and often wife.

Again this situation is rare.

But it happened to Jake Stevens, a poor computer programmer from Ventura California.

* * * *

Jake had no idea that fate was trying to throw him a terrible situation. It was Thursday night and like usual he was down at a local comic shop for board game night, where he played a variety of different games with his friends. Sure it was nerdy, and the only girl that was there was a heavy-set girl who was way too into anime for his taste.

The plan was to play board games for a few hours then go out and grab a beer at Hooters. Jake and his friends were nerds and the cheap thrill of being waited on by a model was the highlight of the evening. Most of the time Jake was stuck at a desk looking at lines of code and wishing he was at least making a video game instead of accounting programming codes. He wore a stripped light blue shirt and slacks to work everyday, with slight changes in the color of tie he wore.

At the comic shop he wore jeans and a gaming T-shirt. Today it was a giant Horde logo from World of Warcraft.

As he sat in his chair staring at the card in his hand trying to figure out what to play next, he wondered if maybe there was a better social place to go for a twenty six year old on a Thursday night.

"Jake you gonna take your turn while we're young? Seth is going to close up in ten minutes, so let's at least try to finish the game." Casey said, a nice enough guy but he was a uptight gamer who insisted on rules being followed without variant.

Jake shook his head, "Yeah sorry, these cards are bad." He said and work out his turn.

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie sighed watching her target across the street from a coffee shop window. He was with a group of friends at the moment playing games and seemed to be perplexed by something. She had always been following at a distance but never this close before, she felt like something was off that day.

The rules were that you never to interact with the target directly or there would be punishment. She would become fully human. She had tried staying away from Jake as much as possible but the more she had watched her target the more she fell for him.

She had even admitted to herself that she watched him pleasure himself a time or two in a public showere wanting to know what it was like and had grown jealous of the way she saw him stare at women when he was interested in them.

She hadn't known where the small feelings came from but she remained professional and kept away.

She sipped her latte walking out of the shop behind the group she saw him heading out with .

 

[TheRPGuru]

They had played a bit late into the night. The great thing about 24-hour diners is that they could play until they all got tired and nobody would bother them or kick them out, plus there was food to be had. Jake left with his friends, saying goodbye to everyone in the parking lot before going to get in his own car.

The bad thing about 24-hour diners is that a lot of the people going to them in the middle of the night were drunks. Jake didn't know what happened, but he heard the tires screech and there was a loud bang, followed by darkness.

He woke up two days later in a hospital bed with a broken arm and and broken leg.

* * * * *

The Council of the Heavens looked down upon Gracie with disgust. She had failed in her mission, so smitted with her thoughts of the man she was in charge of protecting that she had been too slow to prevent the drunk driving accident.

Percius slammed his gavel upon the golden stand before him and glared down at her. "Gracie, your distractions have caused a great deal of preventable harm to come to your charge. This incident is only the latest incident in which Jake Stevens has befallen harm because of you. It has become clear to this council that your love for the boy is more than what an angel can bare. As a result you allow us no other choice but to remove your heavenly status and send you to Earth forever, as a human."

He opened a golden book and read aloud, "As per the goddess of love and guardian of mortality states, 'An angel who fails their charge can only redeem themselves as a human. In this state angelhood can be reclaimed by attoning to the fail charge and earning their true love.'"

Percius looked down upon Gracie again and waved his hand. "So it is your sentence. Be gone from the heavens and return to the world as a mortal, may the lord bless you and your charge both."

In a flash of light Gracie was cast back to Earth, mortal.

 

[MzSeductress]

Graciedidn't have a chance to protest the decision, she had been sent back immediately. Her eyes welled with tears thinking Jeff getting hurt had been on her hands. She made her way to his hospital room seeing his friends and family had left and stood outside crying softly as she watched him. She could have prevented this..,he didn't have to get hurt and he had because of her feelings.

She gasped not knowing he was awake and she had been so openly crying in his room. She knew she must have looked insane to the man. Although she was hundreds of years old Gracie appeared to be in her mid twenties with her still beautiful features and honey blonde hair.

She quickly gathered herself and wiped her tears apologizing to the confused man in his bed " Sorry...Ummm you just remind me of someone...I didn't mean to disturb you" She said softly surprised that he told her to wait.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake lay there staring up at the ceiling as his friends and family left for the evening. His family had brought him dinner from someplace that wasn't a shitty hospital cafeteria, and his friends had come to play some cards and keep him company for a while. But after everyone left Jake felt empty on the inside, like a piece of him was missing.

The whole time he had been in the hospital bed he would glance over at empty chairs around the room and wonder what it might be like to have a girlfriend or wife there to be by his side. In sickness and in health and all that right? Jake had never had a girlfriend before, though he had tried in high school and college. But being a computer major left him limited in girl options.

In moments like this, even though he had plenty of friends, a part of him was really lonely.

That was when he heard the crying. He shifted as best he could and saw a young women, maybe a couple years younger than him if even that young, standing in the doorway crying. She was trying to keep it quiet but there was no mistaking the noises she was making, and the puffiness around her eyes.

She jerked when she noticed that he was looking at her and bumbled an apology to him. Her voice was familiar, but Jake couldn't place it anywhere. Still there was something about her that made him call out.

"Wait." He called as she started to flee. "Hey uh...you um...this is going to sound weird but...you sound so familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" He asked her.

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie blushed turning to look at him and stepped more into the room. She had spoken to him a few times in his dreams and talked to him as a conscious but she had no clue he would recognize her voice. She smiled softly and came in shaking her head.

"No I don't believe we've ever met.. "She said and sat on a chair next to him and looked at him worriedly. "Are you ok?.." She asked her eyes welling up again "I'm so Sorry your hurt"she said and grabbed his hand softly without thinking.

She knew Jake probably felt her presence once or twice but had no idea his senses were that sensitive to her.

She gasped feeling the spark between them when she touched him and blushed softly.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake didn't expect her to come and join him at his bedside, but as she walked into the room he felt his heart speed up a bit. She was absolutely stunning, beyond stunning, the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. He felt the shock melt onto his face as she came towards him. Who was this girl?

She sat on the nearby chair and reached out to gently touch his hand, all the while apologizing. When her fingers touched his hand Jake felt a bolt of energy run through him, a spark that he had never felt before. His eyes widened and he looked at her in amazement.

"What was that?" he asked, "I...Are you sure we haven't met? I mean I can't explain it, but I swear I...KNOW you, somehow." He frowned and shook his head, "I'm sorry, hello there my name is Jake. Nice to meet you, I'd shake your hand if my good hand wasn't in a cast." He gave her his best smile.

He shrugged, "Don't worry about these injuries though. Couple broken bones, no big deal. I'll be all fixed up in a few weeks."

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie nodded unsure if she could tell him..unsure if shed ever be able to tell him. She smiled and said " I may have seen you around once or twice in town.Im Gracie"she said softly and gave a sad smile knowing he was hurt because she had been fawning over him.

She had to admire his positivity at being injured like this and before she knew it she was offering her help. " Jake..im sure you have a lot of friends and family to help you out but um... if you want I don't mind helping you, I know what it's like to hurt something you need " She said softly referring to him getting hurt.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake actually perked up when she made the offer of help. He hadnt expected it, but maybe she was a caregiver and was looking for work around the hospital. It would make more sense as to why she would so openly offer to a man she had never met before.

It was perfect for him too. "Uh...Yeah. i mean i had planned on hiring an asistant or something to help me out around my apartment. I never thought a person would just walk into my hospital room. But i guess it is a small world. If you want the job it is yours." He told her noding.

"I mean its not a super great gig. But i can ofger you free food, and a place to sleep plus some spending money." He explained.

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie looked at him shocked he'd been so kind to someone he hardly knew, but she knew what a loving soul he was and she smiled at the offer. She couldn't let him pay her for helping him after all it had been her fault. She knew how much working would be, she's seen people like this before. She would need to help him clean, shower and cook but taking his money and home she didn't know if she could.

" Jake I wasn't asking for money... I'll do it for you for free I couldn't possibly take your money when your like this, like I said you remind me of someone and helping you would be my pleasure "she said and looked at him blushing as she thought of seeing him naked that closely. She had always been fascinated by the male body but angels never had sex. Sure they could admire each other's beauty and those of different species but they never felt the emotion behind anything which is why she had become so overwhelmed with guilt she began to cry.

She squeezed his hand softly liking the spark she felt whenever she touched him and gasped at the head she felt in her body surprised at her reaction to him.

"I have somewhere to stay Jake I'll be ok ... but whenever you need me I promise I'll be there ok?she said vowing to herself she'd never let him get hurt again. She gave him a small smile before leaving as the nurse came to tell her visiting hours were over.

She wrote her number down in his cell and headed home to her apartment. She noticed she didn't have food and knew she wouldn't be able to afford it after next week so for now she packed a longer things in bags and placed them all in the back of her SUV trunk that had more than enough space and tomorrow she knew shed put this place up for sale otherwise she'd starve.

 

[TheRPGuru]

The next day Jake was released from the hospital after they were sure he didn't have internal injuries or a concussion. His friend Greg came and picked him up to take him home, but Greg couldn't hang out to make sure he was okay at home as he had work that afternoon.

"You gonna be okay man?" Greg asked.

Jake looked and nodded, "Yeah I'll be fine, it's not that big of a deal, plus there is someone who I can call for help." He had thought about Gracie all night. She seemed so unusually kind and willing to help for someone that fucking beautiful. He wondered if there was some kind of game she was playing, maybe he invited her over for help and she just stole all his shit.

No that couldn't be it. He didn't feel any malice in anything she said. Plus she wasn't eager to overly accept his job offer of live-in help. Instead just said that she was free to help him on a come and go basis. Which made her seem more legit.

"Alright, I'll call after I get off tonight and make sure everything's cool." Greg assured him.

Jake nodded. "Thanks."

After Greg left, Jake looked around his apartment and sighed. He was so behind on things that he would have to work all day to get his programming done. Which would also be hard because he wouldn't be able to use both hands, so he'd have to type slower.

He called Gracie, "Hey Gracie, this is Jake...umm the guy with the broken bones you met the yesterday with the broken bones." He waited for her to remember, "Hey listen, I'm home now, but I'm impossibly swamped with stuff to do and I don't have enough hands. You free to come by and be domestic?" He asked playfully. "Laundry, a little light cleaning, cooking, that sort of thing?"

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie wide awake when she had gotten the call. She only had four days left in her place and sold most of her things online including her couch and tv. She had an offer for her bedroom set and had kept her blankets and clothing along with her electronics to keep her entertained.

She looked around the empty apartment a bit sad and even ran into a few angels as she packed her car but she knew none would help her and she would have to figure things out on her own. At least she could shower and sleep on the floor of the apartment a few days until she figured something out.

She was a bit emotional knowing that after her four days she would have no place to go and kept it hidden from Jake as she answered him " Sure Jake of course..."she said softly and chuckled at his joke " I'll be over in a half hour ok?"she said placing her last item in the large trunk.

She had made enough money to get some groceries for them and she didn't buy much just enough that she knew they could eat and him have a bit more if she had to leave. Cooking hadn't been necessary for her as an angel but it had been one of the things she picked up in a class they made her take noting that she had needed to blend in more despite the lack of emotion angels held. Her kind weren't meant to have feelings like humans did and when they did they were punished or disciplined for waning from the path set for them.

She got to Jake's place from the address he had stored in her phone along with his number and made it there in no time. She knocked on the door hearing him call that it was open and she frowned slightly thinking how unsafe that was for him and that anyone could just walk inside.

She felt her heart tug seeing him on the couch watching some television barely mobile and knew he'd probably need help showering and using the bathroom. She put her bag up behind the door along with her sweater. She worked a blue tank top and jeans and slid her hair up into a ponytail smiling and blushing at how Jake stared at her.

"Hey Jake... Everything ok?"she asked and moved into the living room picking up a few things she knew would be in his way. "What would you like me to do for you first?"

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake had managed to park himself on his sofa with his computer and television remote control. He needed background noise when he worked, for some reason it always helped him focus. When Gracie knocked on the door he called for her to come in, as he had left the door unlocked so he wouldn't have to struggle to get up.

She came in looking like a million bucks in a tank top that was a perfect fit for her body. He wondered if she had chosen that top on purpose to tease him a little, as it allowed him to view her supple cleavage over the top of the seam. He shook those thoughts away and smiled delightfully at her.

"Hey Gracie thanks for coming." He told her as she immediately began picking things up off the floor, and set her grocery bags on the kitchen nook's counter. His apartment was rather small, a single bedroom, living room, and a little kitchen nook. But for Jake it was enough, he never really entertained people or anything so a bigger space didn't seem important.

"Yeah, well, I don't think it should be too awful for you today. I just need some laundry done, and just stuff wiped down here. Sadly I have allergies and I usually have to dust once a week to keep myself from sneezing uncontrollably. But I've been down for a few days and haven't been able to do it. Then I thought that maybe we could have some food." He gestured to the groceries, "I guess you thought that too."

He sighed and looked at his laptop. "Man working in hard one-handed. I do independant programming for companies all over the world. Usually I just make a website do fancy things, but sometimes i program sales systems or banking tools and the like." He explained. "I mean, just in case you wondered what I do with the computer."

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie smiled and nodded "Well I'm here to help Name"she said cheerfully. She knew she'd be able to clean this place in no time because it wasn't a complete mess like most guys places were and she took the groceries out and heard him mention how hard it was working with one hand.

"If you need help with that I can assist you too Jake"she said glancing at his computer and blushed knowing he had done other things with his device as well but she wouldn't dare mention it.

She began to cut up veggies, seasoned them and put them in the oven to roast with a chicken and also made some pasta salad to go along with it. She made him a sandwich and something to drink while they waited and told him that would be their dinner.

Once she had his laundry on and the food cooking low, Gracie dusted his house and joined him watching tv on the couch and giggled watching a prank show with him. She blushed seeing him staring again from the corner of her eye and tried controlling the way she felt about him. She turned her head smiling at him and said " Is everything ok now? Do you need me to help you with your programming Jake?" She asked eager to make him happy.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake marveled at how efficient Gracie was at doing things. She went about the laundry, the dusting, the cooking, with purpose. Like her every motion was calculated and designed to get the most done with the least amount of work. She made him the best sandwich of his life, and it was nothing but a little mayo, meat and cheese, unremarkable yet delicious at the same time.

Meanwhile Jake focused on getting as much as he could done with the one hand he had. Though it was slow and he admittedly spent a little too much time watching Gracie. God she was incredibly beautiful, like she was crafted from stone or something. Once she finished the around the house work, and the chicken was nicely roasting in his little oven, she came and sat beside him to watch TV.

After a while, she glanced over and gestured to his computer. She offered to help him with that as well and he shook his head, "Oh no, it's work, don't worry about this. I've got it. Actually the more I practice the one-handed thing, the easier it gets. But thank you for the offer." He told her smiling at her. "You are amazingly good at what you do Gracie. How long have you been, I guess you'd call it Caregiving?" He asked her.

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie smiled softly as he complimented her skills and nodded as he thanked her for her offering to help. She was afraid he'd be worried if she told him that wasn't what she did as a living but there was no way to explain she was an ex angel who was in love with him so she had just went with it.

"A few years..I'm glad you appreciate my help Jake i enjoy keeping you happy " she smiled admiring his features up close. She had liked everything about Jake his handsome features, the way he was passionate about things he loved, his dedication to work and friends, and his kindness. She wouldn't freak him out by telling him what she was ..at least not yet.. he'd probably think she was insane.

She heard the timer go off and went to check her roast in the kitchen returning with another drink for him. " Would you like assistance with a shower or the bathroom Jake? I can help you while we wait.. and don't worry it isn't anything to be ashamed of.. I know they washed you in the hospital so just think of it like that" she said.

 

[TheRPGuru]

She got up to check the roast and Jake leaned to the side to watch her ass as she walked away. He couldn't help it, she was incredibly hot. Jake tried to think of a girl he had seen hotter than Gracie but he couldn't. No celebrity, no girl in school, no model in a magazine, none of them seemed to be as attractive as Gracie. It was like she wasn't a real person, but rather some gift from someplace devine.

He straightened as she came back, holding a drink of ice cold lemonade out for him. He almost choked on the drink as she offered to help him use the bathroom or shower. The look on his face even as she explained that it was no big deal, must have been crazy.

"Wait you can't be..." Jake started, the idea of Gracie seeing him naked didn't seem like a good idea. Her hands upon him even to just wash his back would result in a huge boner no matter what he did. He couldn't possibly deal with that.

Before he could finish his statement, the doorbell rang and his friend Eric came in. Eric was a big man, of nearly 400 pounds. Nicest guy you could ever meet, though. "Jake! What's up man? I heard you was back home so I thought I would come see what's good with...." Eric paused in midstep, seeing Gracie standing there.

"Whoa." He said. "umm. Sorry man. Didn't know you had some special company over." He smiled and looked Gracie up and down. "Jesus Christ. Where did you find her?"

Jake looked at Eric. "You know she can hear you right? Gracie, this is my buddy Eric. Eric that's Gracie."

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie was watching him have some sort of struggle with her helping him and then his friend walked in telling him he didn't know he had special company over and asked where her found her.

Gracie blushed slightly and chuckled as he told his friend he could her her then introduced them. Gracie smiled softly and said " Its nice to meet you Eric.. would you like anything?" She asked knowing there was more than enough in Jake's fridge to make the man a sandwich and get him something to drink and she didn't want to interrupt his company.

"I'm going to finish cooking dinner Jake.. call me if you need something ok?" She said giving the two a small smile before walking toward the kitchen.

 

[TheRPGuru]

gracie excused herself to the kitchen and jake was left alone with Eric. Jake glared at his friend and shook his head, "You have the worst timing."

Eric blinked, "What, why?"

Jake smirked, "She was just offering to wash me."

His face drooped, "Wash you?" He looked back at Gracie in the kitchen. "Dude how? Like I love you dude, but that girl is so far out of your league that she might as well be a fictional fucking character. So whose dick did you suck in order to get her here."

Jake shrugged, "That's the crazy part. She just kinda walked into my hospital room. Does it matter though. I'm paying her to help me out because she offered help."

Eric nodded, "Oh I get it, she's like a hooker but a hooker who also cooks and cleans."

"She's not a..." Jake started, but held off. Was she? Who the heck was Gracie and why was she so randomly nice to a guy she didn't know?

"Nevermind Eric, I need the help and if I get her to help them that's great because she's certainly much more fun to look at than some old Mexican lady who wouldn't understand what i'm even saying."

Eric flopped into the bean bag that Jake had in the corner of the room, "Well that's true. So dude you gonna be able to host the dungeons and Dragons game tomorrow night?"

Jake nodded and looked around. "Yeah why not? I'll see if Gracie is free to help host it and that way I don't have to try and gimp myself over to Greg's or Richard's place."

Gracie came back into the room and handed Eric a sandwich and a drink. Eric took a bite and moaned, "HOLY FUCK!" He cried and looked at the sandwich. "What the fuck is this? Meat, cheese and mayo?" He looked at her. "How did you get something this boring to taste so good?" He devoured half the sandwich in one bite, "Jesus. You must be an angel." He insisted.

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie paused for a second as he mentioned her being an angel and giggled playing it off " How did you know?" She teased. She was happy they loved her sandwich she had learned to to make it in a culinary class and she grinned taking Jake's half empty glass to refill and offered to make Eric another.

She hadn't heard any of their conversation not wanting to intrude and went to Jake's bedroom to put freshly cleaned sheets on his bed and fold his laundry. She blushed folding his underwear and putting it away and wondered what he thought of her being her and wouldn't push the shower not wanting to make him upset of uncomfortable.

She saw Jake's friend had still been there and she made all three a plate and sat at his kitchen island unsure if he felt comfortable with her joining them.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake was surprised at the quality of food Gracie prepared in such a short amount of time. The chicken was perfect with roasted veggies that added flavor to the whole thing.

"Gracie this is incredible." Jake said.

Eric nodded, "Damn girl. If you keep feeding me i might actually loose weight. This is tasty ass healthy food right here."

Jake laughed. "I wouldnt go that far buddy."

"Fuck you Jake. I could be sexy if i wanted."

Jake turned to Gracie, "Gracie are you free tomorrow? I am having people over for a game day and could use your skills." He explained.

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie smiled at his banter with his friend and looked up hearing him ask if she had been free tomorrow and tell her he was having company and could use her skills. A Party? She thought excitedly. She had never been to a party before , a club yes but a party, never. She grinned trying to hide some of her excitement and nodded.

"Yes I am Jake and I'd love to help you out. Just tell me what you'd like me to get and I can prepare thing for you and your guests. It will be perfect I promise " she said and looked over at them and saw his friend had been grinning at her telling Jake hed have to get injured to step her away and how her cooking would help him lose weight causing her to giggle.

She hadn't let him know she also prepared chocolate mousse for them and asked them if they would like dessert not knowing how it had came off and seeing the grin on Jake's friend face widen at the question.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake blinked at Gracie's mention of desert. The way she said it, there was some clear sensual undertones to it. It madr Jake flash back to when she seemed so eager to help him bathe. He wondered what was going on in the beauty's head. Surely she wasnt interested in him like that right? But still, she seemed so eager and willing to help him with anything.

He stammered, "Desert too?"

Eric clapped his hands. "Oh hell yes. Dude this girl is perfect. She has to be a mythical creature because no girl this hot can cook and clean too." He blushed and looked at her. "Sorry Gracie but it is true you know?" He motioned to Jake and himself. "Guys like us dont get girls like you."

Jake frowned. "Easy dude. She is just helpping me out. It isnt like she is my girlfriend or anything." Though the way she had spoken to him before made Jake wonder.

 

[MzSeductress]

Gracie giggled and nodded then she brought the cups of chocolate mousse over to them and placed them down. She smiled kindly at them " Eric I'm sure you handsome guys could get anyone you wanted" she said nicely and handed them each a spoon.

She hid her expression when Jake mentioned she wasn't his girlfriend and instead gave a small smile grabbing the empty plates and cups and carrying them to his kitchen to clean. She washed and put away the dishes in his cabinet then cleaned the utensils she used to cook with and put the rest of the food away.

She had noticed how quickly the hours she had been there passed and she looked over at Jake and his friend knowing she needed to leave if she wanted to get home without traffic.
" I have to head home now ok Jake? But if you need anything before I go I can get it. I'll be over early tomorrow if you don't mind I want to make sure your game is enjoyable "she said seeing that he probably didn't want the shower from her and made her way to grab her things.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jake and Eric just talked over desert while Gracie cleaned up. When she was finished she announced that she had to head home and Jake nodded. As she grabbed her things, Jake dug into his pocket with his good hand to pull out some cash.

"Hey Gracie. Before you go here." He said holding out two hundred bucks. "Heres pay for today plus some extra for the groceries." He told her, seeing the look on her face like she didnt want to take the money. "Come on dont be like that. Let me pay you for your help." He insisted.

He smiled as her hand brushed his when she took the money. Again there was that spark of something between them when her skin met his. He wished he knew what was causing that.

"I should go too." Eric announced. "You gonna be cool by yourself dude?"

Jake nodded, still looking into Gracie's eyes. "Yeah man ill be fine. Probably be in bed soon anyway."