Page 67 of Hyde and Seek

Dinner for one coming right up!

Or would it be going down?

Jake held my hand as we walked outside. He paused on the porch as I locked the door behind us.

We drove to the restaurant in his blue 1977 Camaro. It looked sweet and rode like a dream. Jake told me about all the changes and customizations he’d made since restoring the car. I told him about some that had been made to Bo, though I didn’t do the work myself.

When we arrived in the city, we parked and walked to the restaurant. It was a hole in the wall kind of place that was known for its beer selection and typical bar staples with a gourmet twist. I’d been holding off on going until I turned twenty-one.

I was hoping I’d be able to actually eat some of the highly praised food with the way my stomach was twisting and turning.

“Have you been here before?” I asked when we sat.

“A few times. Z’s a beer snob. This is always his choice when he comes out with us. You?”

“No, but I’ve heard good things.”

“It’s better than good, which is part of why we don’t put up a fight when he drags us here every time.”

“Part?”

“Z’s… not a fan of typical bar rowdiness.”

“Is that why he didn’t stick around Rye?”

“Yeah. He can do Rye in small doses, but not places like Voodoo or Jet’s.” Putting his elbows on the table, Jake leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Which is why it’s important you don’t spread the word about what is some seriously good food. Otherwise, it’ll get popular and he’ll start draggin’ us to some place new. I’m doubtin’ we’ll strike gold twice.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I whispered as the server approached to take our order.

A silence settled between us when she went to get our drinks.

Say something witty and charming.

Okay, say something alluring and enticing.

Ohhhkay, say something brainy and intellectual.

Fine, how about just say something? You know, make the mouthy do the talky.

Or just keep staring at the bar and looking like a deer caught in the headlights. I’m sure that’s a good look, too.

“What cakes are you working on?” Jake asked, taking me out of my awkward panic.

“A few different ones,” I began as the server dropped off our drinks. As I looked down at my soda, I wished I’d gone with something a little stronger. Something straight out of the vodka bottle.

Jake continued to ask me about my work and soon enough, the conversation began to flow effortlessly.

He told me about the recent work he’d been doing and about the extreme things people had requested, which made me laugh so hard my sides hurt.

I told him about some of my favorite cakes that I’d done and some of the crazier ones, which resulted in Jake throwing his head back and his rich laughter filling the air.

We talked, we ate, and it was, by a long mile, the best date I’d ever had.

*******

After we finished dinner, Jake put his arm around me as we walked down the street. “There are a couple places around here that have concerts nightly or the movie theater is close by. What do you want to do, babe?”

I stopped walking and turned to face him. Bringing his other arm around me, both of his hands dropped to the top of my ass as I looked up at him. “Anything?” I licked my suddenly dry lips.

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