I was going through my old docs looking for an old message when I came across this bonus chapter I had written for Flower a while back. It’s definitely unpolished, but I thought I would share it. Reading back over it made me wonder if I should revisit Jake and Aly’s story…

Let me know what you think…

One year later

JAKE’S POV

When the guys suggested we eat here, I was resistant. Even though I knew Aly was no longer working there, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run the risk of running into her.

Well, that wasn’t exactly true. I desperately wanted to run into her. The time we had spent together the previous summer had been worth every bit of dark time I experienced afterward, for me at least. 

At first, we had planned not to keep in contact after I left the States. However, it was only a couple of weeks later when I had drank a little too much and texted her. It had been morning for her. We kept in contact for a couple of months after that, only when we were both alone.

One evening after practice, as the guys were filing out of the room, I rested against the mirror and sent her a quick “Good morning” text. As I had hit send, Johnny slid down next to me.

“Tell Aly I said her refrain needs a little work,” he said quietly.

I looked up to see he was leaning his head against the mirror with his eyes closed.

“I guess I wasn’t hiding it very well,” I looked back down to see her “Sweet dreams” response.

“It’s none of my business,” Johnny hedged, “but do you think it’s a good idea?”

“What do you mean?” 

“I know you have been a bit more upbeat since you two started talking again, but –,” he started and then stopped.

“Spit it out, Johnny,” I snapped. I hated being rude to him, but I also had a feeling I wasn’t going to like whatever he had to say.

He looked me in the eyes. “You are both preventing each other from moving on. You know you can’t promise her anything right now.”

“I know I can’t!” I stood up to start gathering my stuff to put some distance between us.

“Some guy asked her out the other night,” he continued conversationally. 

I turned on him. “How did you know that?”

“Jake, we were talking about her music,” he shrugged. “It came up.”

“So?” I went back to packing my stuff. I roughly yanked the zipper closed. I knew it shouldn’t bother me that Johnny knew something about her that I didn’t. I also knew it shouldn’t bother me that someone else had asked her out. We weren’t together. 

“She said no,” Johnny said. “Wanna know why?”

I shrugged. If I turned to face him, I knew he would see the relief I felt.

“She’s holding out for you,” Johnny continued.

I couldn’t hold the smile back.

“You’re not being fair to her, Jake,” Johnny got up and walked past me without looking.

I stayed up most of the night considering his words. I knew he was right. As much as I hated the thought of her moving on to someone else, I knew it would be for the best if she did. 

I called her the next day for the last time.

It was difficult going cold turkey without talking to her. The last couple of months, though, were easier because we were so busy. I barely thought of her, and, when I did, I didn’t have that yearning feeling for her anymore. 

Johnny, Boo, YooJoon and I were at a couple of tables over from Steph and a guy who appeared to be her boyfriend. She sat with her back away from us so she hadn’t noticed us, for which I was thankful. Part of me had hoped the two would leave without Aly appearing, though another louder part of me prayed Aly would walk in the door.

And then she did.

Boo’s eyes grew ten sizes when she walked in. Johnny and I both stomped on his feet and my hand covered his mouth to keep him from yelling out at her. 

ALY’S POV

I had just pulled into the parking space of the restaurant when I heard my phone jingle indicating an incoming text. I knew it was Steph before I even checked. 

From: *Best Friend* Steph

u here yet?

I sighed as I quickly texted back.

To: *Best Friend* Steph

Nope.

I quickly gathered my stuff and headed inside. I checked in with the new hostess who motioned for me to go on through before making a beeline for our usual table.

Steph practically danced in her seat as she animatedly chatted with her boyfriend, Matt. He spotted me before she did and waved. I nodded my head as I took the seat across from Steph. 

She scowled. “You’re late!”

I bowed my head in apology. “I’m sorry. I got held up at the studio, but I am here now. You, my dear, have my undivided attention for the evening.”

In her usual ease of forgiveness, she quickly shifted back to bouncing in her seat. 

“Can you believe it?! I will be in Footloose! On freaking Broadway! Can you freaking believe it?” She all but shouted.

“Oh, is that why you drug me out of the studio?” I teased. When her scowl returned, I laughed. “I’m kidding. You can’t imagine how incredibly proud and incredibly happy I am for you, Steph. You have worked so hard for this, and you deserve it. I am going to miss you, though.”

“I know. Me, too,” she pouted. She looked from me to Matt and back again. “You will come visit us in New York, though, right?”

I quickly nodded. “Of course, I will.”

Casey, who was now a server since Steph and I had left a few months ago, brought over my usual drink. “Hey, Aly, how’s it going? Taquitos?”

“Not bad.” I smiled back. “And you know me well.”

“Oh, that song you produced came on the other day. Mario turned it up and went around bragging to all the guests about you,” she smiled.

“Aww, really? That’s so sweet!” I was giddy with pride.

Casey had turned to chat with Steph and Matt as my phone jingled again. I reached for it.

“You promised me your undivided attention tonight!” Steph accused me before I had the chance to look to see who had messaged. She motioned for me to place my phone on the table. 

I playfully returned her accusatory stare as my hand hesitated over the phone, but then, decided to let it go. She was right. Tonight was her night. I put my phone facedown on the table where she had motioned and put the messenger out of my mind.

She looked at Matt. “You, too, buddy.”

His eyes widened as he whined. “I didn’t do anything.”

“That’s only because you haven’t gotten any notifications yet,” I argued. I wasn’t going to be the only one who had to give up a phone.

His eyes narrowed. “Traitor.”

“Look, we’ll make a game out of it. Whoever reaches for their phone first pays,” I offered.

Matt, like me, was never one to turn down a challenge, or a chance for a free meal. He nodded and placed his phone next to mine, but turned them both face-up. “Challenge accepted.”

Throughout our meal, both our phones went off occasionally causing our conversations to stop and us both to stare each other down. Neither of us were willing to risk it. Steph laughed and read the names off the caller id to mess with us. We were fierce competitors, though.

We were finishing up when my phone went off again. Steph smiled as she leaned forward to see whose name showed up. Her eyes got huge as she looked up at mine. Matt sat back with his arms crossed and cocked his eyebrow. 

“Looks like I have my dinner paid for after all,” he was smug.

Even though I was sure they were both messing with me to get me to crack, I couldn’t resist the curiosity that welled up inside of me. As I looked at the caller id, my heart skipped a beat. Jake.

END