Chapter 28: Chapter 28

"Are you ready?" Tobias asks me, pulling up outside and turning off the engine. It's a large tall building, the double wooden doors resembling something from the Victorian ages. I lean forward and glance up, inspecting the numerous amounts of windows finished off with yellow checkered curtains.

"Yes, the manager is waiting for me." I respond to him, nerves beginning to build up inside my stomach. I turn to face him and find him watching me intently, his expression neutral.

"Do you want me to come inside? I can wait out here."

I shake my head, giving him a reassuring smile.

"I'd like you to come inside. . . If you want to." I add quickly. Tobias immediately nods his head, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Sure thing."

We both step out of the car and head for the building, my nerves growing the closer I get. I feel Tobias slip his hand in mine and I squeeze it gratefully. As soon as we step in front of the door, it opens and we're invited inside by the same woman we met in the shopping centre.

"You ready?" Tobias murmurs down my ear as we head for her office. I nod my head, my grip on his hand tightening. I'm glad I have him for support because I feel like I might just throw up with nerves.

*****

"That sounds promising, right?" Tobias says as we leave the building, my hands stuffed with as many leaflets as I can physically hold. I also have an application form to fill in and send back. I nod my head, the woman's words rattling around my thoughts on a loop. I can't help but shake off one criteria to allow me to foster —

I must be a in a stable relationship, preferably married.

I nibble on my bottom lip, wondering how I'm supposed to go ahead with the fostering if I don't meet her criteria. The excitement that was previously building up inside me began to fizzle away and I sigh, clicking my seatbelt in place.

"What's wrong? I thought that went well." Tobias questions me, concern in his eyes. I don't know whether he heard her or not so I decide to bite the bullet and ask him.

"I have to be in a relationship or married if I want to foster a child. It shows that I'm stable and giving the child a good environment to grow up in. There goes my chance of ever doing that," I tell him, my cheeks beginning to grow red with heat. I don't usually blush but being so openly honest with Tobias always causes my cheeks to burn with embarrassment.

My words don't phase him and if they do, he doesn't show it at all. He reaches up and runs a hand through his dark hair, the muscles in his arm tensing.

"I thought we were already in a relationship."

I blink at him, dumbfounded.

"B-but, you never said we were . . . " I trail off, confusion filling my features. A knot begins to form in my stomach and I search his features for an answer. He turns in his seat so he's facing me, one eyebrow raised. I squirm underneath his intense gaze, wondering why on earth he's glaring at me.

"I sure hope we're in a relationship Sugar because if another guy has done as much as look at you, I'll have to pay him a personal visit." Tobias says firmly, a hard edge to his voice. My mouth falls open and I struggle to form a sentence.

What the hell do I say back to that?

"You never officially said we were!" I argue back with him, grateful to have found my voice again. Tobias narrows his eyes at me, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.

"Does this mean you've been seeing other people?"

"No! Of course not! I like you," I tell him, shaking my head with confusion. I watch his shoulders physically relax and he nods, his jaw still tense. He silently turns the key in the car and pulls out of the parking space.

"Erm, hello? Are we not going to have a conversation about this? You never asked to be with me!" I ask him, shock still clear in my voice. Tobias clears his throat, his eyes locked on the road ahead.

"You're my girlfriend, mine. Got it?" He responds, turning to give me a fierce stare. I feel my breathing come to a stop for a second and my heart begins to beat rapidly inside my chest. My stomach continues to twist and turn —

"Tobias, pull up." I tell him quickly. He frowns at me and I motion for him to drive over and park. He does what I say and I quickly open my door before bending over and spewing my guts up all over the floor.

*****

"So you just threw up by the road? Gross," Emily giggles, scrunching her nose up. I let out a loud groan and throw myself backwards onto her bed.

"I can never look at him again. We have to find a way to erase his memory." I mutter, hiding my face in my hands. I feel the mattress dip as Emily sits down beside me, baby Ruby in her arms. She's fast asleep and since the embarrassing incident, I find myself smiling at her.

"I'm sure he understands why you threw up Trish. He took you completely by surprise." Emily says, trying to comfort me. I lean up onto my elbows, giving her a stern look.

"I threw up in front of Tobias Melvin. The one boy I've had feelings for in forever." I emphasise, feeling myself beginning to die on the inside for the millionth time since it happened. Emily stifles a laughter and I narrow my eyes, glaring at her.

"On the bright side, you and Tobias are officially together! I'm so happy for you both, you deserve it." She smiles. I can't help but notice how beautiful she looks since having Ruby. Her eyes are bright, she's always smiling and she radiates good energy.

"Oh god, don't. I might just throw up again. I haven't mentally prepared myself to be Tobias' girlfriend." I wince, holding my stomach. The nerves and butterflies filling my stomach aren't a good mix. There's a knock on the bedroom door and it's pushed open, revealing Jake.

"Hey Trish, are you feeling any better?" Jake says, walking over to Emily and Ruby. He leans down and scoops Ruby up before placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Not really." I mumble.

"I think Tobias is too intense for her." Emily says to Jake, letting out a small laugh.

"I'm not intense, am I?"

I snap my head towards the door and feel my stomach flip again. Tobias is leaning against the door frame, hands stuffed inside his jean pockets. He's looking directly at me, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Just a little." I reply to him, shooting him a small smile. I feel my cheeks beginning to heat up again from the intensity of Tobias' stare. His eyes have a way of turning my insides into mush.

"Dude, where's the romance? I can't blame her for throwing up when you spring it on her like that." Jake laughs, shaking his head at Tobias' impulsive personality.

"I can be romantic, okay?" Tobias says defensively, crossing his arms over his chest. Emily turns to give me a look and when our eyes connect, we both burst out laughing. Tobias rolls his eyes, walking in confidently before holding out his hand in my direction. My laughter dies down and I give him a questioning look —

"Take my hand. I'll show you romance." He says firmly, shooting me a flirtatious wink. My stomach clenches and I bite my lower lip before placing my hand in his. He pulls me up off the bed in one swift move and I let out a surprised oomph as I'm pressed up against his chest.

"Come with me Sugar. Prepare to be whisked off your feet." He murmurs in my ear before leading me out of the room. I turn to give Emily a surprised look and she holds up a thumbs up sign. Jake waves at me and I have a second to wave back before Tobias pulls me out of the room and down the stairs.

"Just promise me one thing," Tobias says from over his shoulder. He turns to look at me, his fingers caressing my hand that he's holding.

"What?" I breathe out, feeling like I'm ready to burst with excitement and nerves. Tobias gives me a heart stopping smile, his dark eyes shining brightly at me.

"Don't throw up again.”