Page 43 of Long Story Short

When I next opened the hotel room door, Jake was on the other side. Liv and Tessa had left ten minutes before, telling me to have a good time but I knew that deep down, they didn’t think this was a great idea. The problem was when my eyes met Jake’s, any good sense seemed to fly out of the window. He broke into a sexy smile as he took in my appearance and I admired his right back. He was wearing dark trousers and a dark shirt that I imagined immediately unbuttoning. There was instant heat between us.

‘You look stunning,’ Jake said, leaning in to kiss me softly on the lips. ‘Are you ready?’

‘Yes,’ I said, coming out of my room and taking hold of the hand he offered to me. We walked to the lifts and got in one to go down to the lobby. When the doors opened, Jake let go of my hand. I spotted a couple of people I recognised from the conference who were clearly staying in our hotel too. I wasn’t sure whether to feel disappointed or relieved that Jake had stopped touching me. I thought about what Liv had said – I didn’t want Hayley to find out about this – but my heart still sank anyway. Maybe this thing between us was destined only to exist here in New York.

‘I hired a car,’ Jake said as we stepped across the lobby towards the revolving doors. ‘And booked a table somewhere that I hope you will like.’ He gestured to a sleek, black limo waiting outside the hotel.

I sucked in a breath as I looked at it. ‘Am I dressed fancy enough?’ I asked, worriedly. In bed together earlier, we had felt like equals but now suddenly, the differences between us seemed to loom large again.

‘Perfect,’ Jake assured me as the limo driver opened the car door for us. Jake gestured for me to go ahead so I slid across the leather seat and Jake climbed in next to me. When the limo door shut, Jake reached for my hand and rubbed his thumb across it. It helped a little bit. I looked out of the window at the city lights twinkling around us. I had asked for a New York moment but suddenly, it felt like a whole lot of pressure. As if we had to have a magical night together or we would fail. I shifted on the leather seat.

Jake looked across at me and frowned. Then he leaned in close to my ear to speak. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I don’t know,’ I admitted.

‘Hmm. Would you prefer to do something else?’

I turned in surprise. ‘But you said you’ve booked a table?’

‘Yeah, but I’ll cancel it. I just thought when you said you wanted tonight to be special, you meant this…’ He tapped the leather seat with the hand that wasn’t touching mine. ‘A limo, a fancy dinner but…’ Jake leaned forward and spoke to the driver. The car took a quick turn. ‘I have a better idea.’

‘You do?’ I asked, intrigued. Jake threw me a wink and I chuckled, wondering what he was planning now. The limo soon pulled up and I looked out. We were just parked on the street; I couldn’t see anything special around us. ‘Where are we?’

‘Come on, you’ll see,’ Jake said, jumping out as the driver came around to my side to open the door for me. I climbed out and Jake took my hand again. He led me to a tiny pizza place. ‘This is the best pizza I’ve found in New York. Want to try it?’

I stared at the neon sign, thinking this was a long way from the fancy restaurant I had been picturing he was taking me to. I felt suddenly relieved, though. This was much less pressure. And much more me. ‘Yes, please.’

Jake smiled. ‘Great.’

We went inside and a delicious smell hit me along with the warmth. It was busy; people were waiting and the staff behind the counter were rushing around.

‘What would you like?’ Jake asked as I studied the menu.

‘Surprise me.’

‘Okay.’ He joined the queue and I leaned against the wall. As I waited for him, I touched the up-do hairstyle I had done. It didn’t feel right now. Maybe it hadn’t ever felt right really. I pulled at the bobby pins and they fell out. I put them in my handbag and ran my fingers through my hair, letting it fall down over my shoulders. I breathed out, feeling more like myself instantly.

After Jake had given our order, he joined me and reached out to touch my hair. ‘It’s such a pretty colour.’

‘I used to hate it when I was younger,’ I admitted ‘But now I like being unique.’

He smiled. ‘You are definitely that, Freya. I like taking you to my favourite places in the city.’

I hesitated before asking the question that popped into my head. ‘Have you shown New York to lots of women?’

He seemed surprised. ‘No, only you.’

Our order was called then so he missed the smile on my lips.

‘Right, time for another surprise,’ Jake said as he returned with a pizza box and two cans of Coke. We left and walked down the small alley to the side of the pizza place. I gasped as we emerged in Times Square. I hadn’t seen it on foot yet, only through the taxi window, and it was a heady sight. Flashing lights, buildings crowding in on me, people weaving around people, and so much noise. Jake led me through the chaos with purpose and to a quieter spot where a trio of musicians were setting up. There was a pillar and we leaned against it, and Jake opened up the box and gestured for me to take a slice.

‘These guys are great. Nothing better than good pizza and good music in my opinion,’ Jake said, watching as I picked up a slice and took a bite. ‘I know some people think margherita is boring but this is the best I’ve ever tasted.’ He gave me a suggestive smile.

I smiled back as I took a bite and then I moaned. ‘Oh my God,’ I said as the cheesy deliciousness hit. ‘So good,’ I said with my mouthful.

‘Yeah,’ Jake said, gruffly before taking a bite of his slice.

The musicians began then. The string trio started paying orchestral versions of pop songs, and they were brilliant. Our spot meant we could hear them really well and the crowd that formed around them to listen wasn’t intrusive. Jake stood close to me, our arms brushing as we ate the pizza and drank our Cokes while listening to the music. Even though we were surrounded by skyscrapers and bright lights, it was like we were having a private concert.

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